National Register Listing

Beauregard Parish Courthouse

1st St., DeRidder, LA
Local significance of the building:
Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

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Louisiana was briefly an independent republic. After declaring independence from Spain in 1810, a group of Louisianans established the Republic of West Florida, which included parts of what is now Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. However, the republic was short-lived, as it was quickly annexed by the United States.
Louisiana random facts
Beauregard Parish is located in southwestern Louisiana and was originally home to various Native American tribes, including the Tchoupitoulas and the Attakapas. The region was then settled by European colonizers in the early 19th century. The parish was established in 1912 and named after Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard.

During the 19th century, Beauregard Parish was primarily an agricultural area, with timber and cotton being the main industries. The arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s boosted economic growth and allowed for easier transportation of goods. However, the parish faced challenges during the Civil War and Reconstruction period, which led to a decline in population and economic setbacks.

In the early 20th century, the discovery of oil and gas reserves brought a significant economic boom to Beauregard Parish. This led to increased job opportunities and a population influx. The oil and gas industry continues to be one of the main economic drivers in the parish, along with timber, agriculture, and a growing tourism sector.

Today, Beauregard Parish is a thriving community with a diverse economy and a population that values its history and natural resources. The parish is known for its scenic beauty, outdoor recreational activities, and cultural events. It remains proud of its heritage and continues to grow and adapt to meet the needs of its residents and visitors.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Beauregard Parish, Louisiana.

  • 1912 - Beauregard Parish is established as a political subdivision of the state of Louisiana.
  • 1836 - The area that would become Beauregard Parish is included in Calcasieu Parish.
  • 1812 - Louisiana becomes the 18th state of the United States.
  • 1803 - The Louisiana Purchase takes place, doubling the size of the United States.
  • 1800 - The territory of Orleans is created, including what is now Beauregard Parish.
  • 1762 - France cedes the Louisiana territory to Spain with the Treaty of Fontainebleau.
  • 1682 - French explorer Robert Cavelier de La Salle claims the region for France, calling it Louisiana.
  • 1541 - Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto explores the area that would become Beauregard Parish.
  • 1539 - Hernando de Soto becomes the first European to enter the area that would become Beauregard Parish.
  • Prehistoric times - Native American tribes, including the Atakapa and the Cherokee, inhabit the area.