Discover the Oldest Town in Louisiana

Louisiana is the 18th state in the U.S. The oldest town in Louisiana is a lot older than the country itself. This deep southern state is rich in culture, food, and music. Are you ready to learn about the oldest town in Louisiana, including its history? Follow along to learn more.

What is the Oldest Town in Louisiana?

The oldest town in Louisiana is Natchitoches (pronounced na·kuh·tuhsh). It was settled in 1714 but was incorporated on February 5, 1819, meaning it’s over 300 years old! This small city has a population of around 18,000. Natchitoches’ surface area is 26.28 square miles. Natchitoches is along the Cane River and is home to Sibley Lake.

The History of Natchitoches

Long before European settlers, the Natchitoches people lived in the area around present-day Natchitoches. Louis Juchereau de St. Denis, a French-Canadian explorer established this community in 1714. However, this was years after some French traders settled in the area. This town was previously a French post to trade with the Spanish in Mexico.

Although Natchitoches was previously part of French Louisiana, it became part of the United States after the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. Soon many English and Scottish Protestants moved to this Catholic city, developing numerous cotton plantations along the nearby Red River.

By the mid-20th century, the agricultural industry in the town declined. However, many of the plantations and old buildings, such as the French Creole townhouses, the Catholic Minor Basilica, and the 19th-century Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile (the city’s oldest general store) were designated as historic landmarks. The town is also home to Northwestern State University.

When to Visit the Oldest Town in Louisiana

The best time to visit Natchitoches is in Spring and Fall. While you can visit in the summer, July and August are busy and hot months, which can be uncomfortable if many of your activities are outside. If you want to experience Natchitoches during a warm month, the best months are March, April, October, and November.

Things to do in Natchitoches

Natchitoches is a town with a lot to do. While visiting, you can go to museums and old buildings like the Magnolia Plantation, Oakland Plantation, the Natchitoches Old Courthouse building, and the Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site.

Other old and important historic buildings include the Roque House and Gardens and the Prudhomme-Rouquier House. You can also spend time outside on the Cane River National Heritage Trail or the Cane River Creole National Historical Park. Interestingly, Natchitoches is known for a favorite Louisiana dish, the Natchitoches Meat Pie, which you can eat in the Cajun restaurant, Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant.

Wildlife You’ll Find in Natchitoches

As you can imagine, many animals call the city of Natchitoches home. You may even see some of these animals the next time you’re walking a trail in the oldest town in Louisiana.

Brown Anole

The first animal on our list is the brown anole, which is hard to miss. These little lizards are everywhere! The brown anole, also known as the Cuban anole, is native to Cuba and the Bahamas but has been introduced all over the United States. Generally, they are brown lizards with yellow, black, or white markings. The color and intensity vary.

White-tailed Deer

The next animal on our list is the white-tailed deer, which has a long range. These adorable deer are found throughout Louisiana. In the state, there are at least 500,000 to 1,000,000 white-tailed deer. White-tailed deer have a large range and are native to North America, Central America, and South America. They vary significantly in size and weight and can grow up to 3.1 to 7.2 feet long.

Swamp Rabbit

The swamp rabbit is another animal you may see on your next visit to the oldest town in Louisiana. They are large brown and white rabbits that live in swamps and wetlands. Swamp rabbits are most common in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, but are found throughout the southern United States. They are herbivores and find food foraging.

Purple Gallinule

Another animal you may see in the oldest town in Louisiana is the purple gallinule. This beautiful and vibrant bird migrates to Louisiana and other southern states in the U.S. during the breeding season. However, they also spend a lot of time in Mexico and Central America. Purple gallinules though are permanent residents in Florida.

Greater Yellowlegs

Last but not least is the greater yellowlegs. They are large shorebirds that migrate long distances across North America, Central America, and South America. They breed in Canada and Alaska. Greater yellowlegs nest near water in hidden areas. They forage for food in shallow water, consuming insects crustaceans, and small fish.

Where Is Natchitoches, Louisiana, Located on a Map?

Natchitoches is 76 miles from Shreveport, Louisiana, 56 miles from Alexandria, Louisiana, and about an hour’s drive from the border with Texas. That places it somewhat centrally in the state, so it is 167 miles from the state capital of Baton Rouge and 246 miles from New Orleans.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © SevenMaps/Shutterstock.com