| Communities | Economy | History / Markers | Local Government |
| Location / Geography | Media | Parks and Recreation | Schools and Libraries |
| Parish Map | Top of page | ||
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Pomme De Terre WMA Spring Bayou WMA Three Rivers WMA |
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Bayou Des Glaises Horsepen Creek Old Saline Bayou Red River Saline Lake |
Battle of Yellow Bayou Defosse House Epps House Evergreen The First Bowie Knife Fort De Russy Hypolite Bordelon House Indian Museum The Marksville Site Presentation Academy |
History | |
| 1542 |
The recorded history of central Louisiana begins with its exploration by the Spaniard Hernando Desoto in 1542. He is said to have captured and held Indian hostages in the area to gain food for his impoverished band of explorers. He probably died in May of that year near Ferriday in Concordia Parish. |
| 1700 |
Bienville, who established New Orleans and St. Denis, who started a settlement at Natchitoches were the next European explorers in the area about 1700. |
| 1805 |
When the Territory of Orleans is divided into counties the present-day Avoyelles Parish is divided between Rapides County and Opelousas County. |
| 1852 |
The Epps House in Avoyelles Parish is built by Edwin Epps. Originally located near Holmesville on Bayou Boeuf about three miles away. From 1843 to 1853, Epps, a small planter, owned Solomon Northrup, author of famous slave narrative Twelve Years A Slave. |
| 1855 |
Presentation Academy is the first Catholic School built in Avoyelles Parish. It is founded by Daughters of the Cross of Treguier, France, under Mother Mary Hyacinth Le Conniat on request of Bishop Martin. |
| 1856 |
Evergreen Home Institute is organized with Henry Clay Kemper as its first headmaster. Later became Evergreen College; then Evergreen High School in 1904. These schools had a noteworthy influence on education in Avoyelles and Louisiana. |
| 1864 |
The Battle of Mansura, May 16, 1864, began on the Convent' grounds, Daughters of the Cross of Treguier. |
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Education |
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Director - Theresa Thevenote 104 N. Washington St. Marksville, LA 71351-2496 Email - www.avoyelles.lib.la.us 6 Branches - Bunkie, Cottenport, Marksville, Moreauville, Plaucheville, Simmesport American Library Directory 1999-2000, R. R. Bowker |
