HISTORIC NATCHITOCHES July 2011 Welcome to Natchitoches: Iinside...Nside
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
® HHISTISTORICORIC NNAATTCHITCHITOCHEOCHESS A Free Guide to Leisure and Attractions Courtesy of The Natchitoches Times Since 1970 NSU Folk Festival July 15-16 J u l y 2 0 1 1 Page 2 HISTORIC NATCHITOCHES July 2011 Welcome to Natchitoches: IInside...nside... Enjoy your stay in our historic town Entering downtown his- called Cane River that runs Art Gallery. Page 3 toric Natchitoches, visitors through the downtown feel transported to another National Landmark Fort St. John Baptiste era. District. Page 4 Traveling along bumpy Once a bustling riverport brick roads reminiscent of and crossroads, NSU Folk Festival. .Page 5 pre-asphalt travel, you Natchitoches gave rise to notice ornate ironwork on vast cotton kingdoms along The Book Merchant. .Page 6 the bridges and shops, the river. Affluent planters horse-drawn carriages not only owned charming Tours. .Page 7 around the historic district country plantations, but Maps, Walking Tours, NSU Tour and and locals who smile and kept elegant houses in town. greet you with a friendly The Red River’s abandon- Cane River Tour . Pages 8-10 wave. Welcome to ment of Natchitoches isolat- Natchitoches. ed the community, preserv- Looking Back Founded in 1714 by Louis ing its historic buildings Page 11 Juchereau de St. Denis, the and the deeply-ingrained city of Natchitoches was traditions of its residents Briarwood. Page 12 originally established as a along the Cane River. French outpost on the Red Today, residents of Caddo-Adai Indian Nation River to facilitate trade with Natchitoches strive to bal- Page 13 the Spanish in Mexico. ance progress and industry The fort, which was to be with preserving the integri- Cane River Green Market . Page 14 discovered, was built some- ty of the city’s colonial his- where along the west bank tory and rich cultural diver- We Have an App for that . .Page 15 of the Red River near a vil- sity. lage of Natchitoches With its French, Spanish, Sibley Lake Indians, a Native American Native American, African Page 16 group whose tribal name and Anglo-Saxon influ- means “Chinquapin- ences, Natchitoches main- eaters.” tains a colorful palette of ‘Historic Natchitoches’ is a monthly At the time of the estab- ethnic tradition, hospitality publication of The Natchitoches Times lishment of St. Denis’ fort, and pride in the past that Produced by navigation of the Red River residents share with visi- Lifestyle Editor Rae Anne Firmin was prohibited by a massive tors. To advertise in this publication log jam that was broken up The city is consistently contact The Natchitoches Times during a flood in the 1830s. named among the top six P.O. Box 448 Thus, the Red River retirement locations in the Natchitoches, LA 71458 changed its course, leaving United States by Kiplinger’s About the cover: a 36-mile-long oxbow lake Magazine. The Jena Band of Louisiana Choctaw will present a session on Choctaw dance at the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival July 16. For more information on local history and events contact: Natchitoches Parish Tourist Commission 781 Front Street; Natchitoches, LA 71457 (318) 352-8072 or 1-800-259-1714 Web site: www.natchitoches.net • Award Winning Property • Newly Renovated • FREE Hot “On The House” Breakfast • FREE High Speed Internet Access • FREE Local Calls • FREE H BO & Expanded Channels • Pay-Per-View Movies & Video Games • In-Room Coffee Makers & Hair Dryers Tour Natchitoches • FREE In-Room Microwave Available Plantation Tours with Barbara • FREE In-Room Fridge Available Steel Magnolias Tours EXIT 138 of I-49 • Outdoor Pool & Fitness Center Call for more information Historic Town Tours • Guest Elevator & Conference Room www.hamptoninn.com/hi/natchitoches Customized Tours 318-352-5469 Step-On Bus Tours 318-663-5468 1-800-HAMPTON email: [email protected] 318-354-0010 (426-7866) www.tournatchitocheswithbarbara.com The French came to Natchitoches in 1714. Now its your Turn. July 2011 HISTORIC NATCHITOCHES Page 3 Mayor’s Welcome AA MMoosstt RRoommaannttiicc “On behalf of the City of Natchitoches, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to our city, MMaaiinn SSttrreeeett established in 1714 as the oldest permanent settle- ment in the Louisiana The Natchitoches nations, quaint B&Bs, Purchase. Historic District has special historic spots Natchitoches is a wonder- been named as one of the and much more. ful place to explore, filled top five Most Romantic After scouring the with friendly people, nat- Main Streets in the country, the National ural beauty and plenty of United States. Trust for Historic things to do for the entire The announcement Preservation chose family. The Natchitoches was made by the Natchitoches as one of region is home to the Cane National Trust for the destinations that River National Heritage Historic Preservation. meets this criteria. Mayor Wayne McCullen Area, Cane River Creole City of Natchitoches The other four Most “The Natchitoches National Historical Park Romantic Main Streets Historic District has and a National Historic include Middletown, long been considered a Landmark District, one of three in the state of Conn.; Madison, Ind.; romantic destination by Special emphasis will Louisiana. Franklin, Tenn. and visitors,” said Courtney be placed this year on National achievements include being named as one of Paducah, Ky. Hornsby of the promoting downtown the United States’ Dozen Distinctive Destinations in The National Trust for Natchitoches Main Natchitoches as a pre- 2005 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation Historic Preservation Street Program. miere wedding destina- as well as a Great American Main Street Community sought the country’s “With our charming tion, particularly and a Preserve America Presidential Award Winner. most romantic Main Front Street, scenic Cane through a new water fea- I encourage you to take the time to explore Street districts, seeking River Lake and beautiful ture and garden area Natchitoches and see for yourself why Oprah Winfrey those places that offer historic homes and bed located in Virginia once called Natchitoches 'the best little town in the unique experiences as and breakfasts, it is the Baker Park along the USA'. well as atmosphere, his- perfect location for a downtown riverbank. We look forward to meeting you, and if we can be of tory, charming streets romantic evening or The project is expected further service to you, please do not hesitate to con- for strolls, wedding desti- weekend getaway.” to be completed soon. tact my office at City Hall at (318) 352-2772." Natchitoches Art Gallery announces summer artists and events An exhibit by guest artist Amie Gonser will debut July 1 at the Natchitoches Art Gallery. The gallery will host a meet and greet reception in her honor, Saturday, July 2 from noon-3 p.m. The reception and viewing of the exhibitions are free. Gonser, a native of New Iberia, teaches art in Round Rock, Texas. Natchitoches Art Guild members, Eddye Robertson and She earned a bachelor of Jean O'Brien, welcome visitors to peruse through the fine arts degree at gallery. Robertson and Charlie Viers are July's featured University of Louisiana in artists. Their exhibit is called "Fact and Fiction in 3D." Lafayette and a master's of Queen of the Teche Robertson specializes in polymer clay while Viers makes fine arts degree at the Lilies in Orange pine needle baskets. University of Florida in and Gold Tallahassee. the magnolia tree from her Gonser draws upon her grandmother's backyard personal experiences for and flowers and insects inspiration as she works in from her childhood home. acrylics and watercolors. Gonser arranges these In "Song of the Caged components into composi- Bird," she addresses the tions, sometimes using a challenges of motherhood. layering technique to add She records her memories other dimensions to her into her paintings, using work. Shrill Silence Page 4 HISTORIC NATCHITOCHES July 2011 Step back in time at Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site moves toward living history demonstrations The commandant’s quar- the slowly weathering mud a booming community.” ters are foggy with smoke that is mixed with moss The French garrison sta- that trails from the fire- and grasses to seal the tioned at Fort St. Jean place. walls (what the French Baptiste had a double pur- Next door, well-worn called “bousillage”). pose: keeping a close eye leather shoes wait next to a But the fort is not meant on the Spanish at Los soldier’s bed and rumpled to be a museum of 18th Adaes to the west and bedcovers in another belie century treasures. The being a center for trade. a straw mattress beneath. goal of this State Historic The later boosted the econ- If this place looks as Site is to interact with visi- omy of the French though the garrison has tors, letting them experi- colonists and became the just stepped out, then the ence the culture of every- main business of the garri- staff at Fort St. Jean day life. son. Good relations with Baptiste have succeeded. “We are moving towards the Native American tribes Named for a French living history,” says also encouraged the sol- patron saint, the fort’s Interpretive Ranger diers to assimilate their original location is Darren Vermillion. “We clothing styles and habits. unknown, though it is keep fires going in the “The soldiers adapted to believed to have stood houses, bake bread… and Louisiana woods,” says where the Old American basically try to make the Vermillion. “They adapted Cemetery is today. fort look alive.” to Native American dress The fort that visitors Vermillion says that and wore their style cloth- tour today is a reconstruc- part of their goal is to ing, such as leggings.” tion based on historical debunk the stereotypes Vermillion and the rest records.