National Register Listing

Jackson Historic District

a.k.a. See Also:Centenary College;East Feliciana Parish Courthouse

Roughly bounded by Institute Dr., LA 314, Horton and Race Sts., Jackson, LA
Local significance of the district:
Commerce; Education; Politics/government; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

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.

The Louisiana State Penitentiary, commonly known as "Angola," is one of the largest maximum-security prisons in the United States. It is named after the former plantation on which it was built, and it is known for its extensive agricultural operations.
Louisiana random facts
East Feliciana Parish is located in the state of Louisiana and was established in 1824. The area that is now East Feliciana Parish was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Houma, Bayou Goula, and Choctaw. The first European explorers arrived in the 18th century, with French, Spanish, and English colonizers all laying claim to the land at various times.

The parish takes its name from Felicite de Gálvez, the wife of Spanish colonial Governor Bernardo de Gálvez. The Spanish influence on the region can still be seen today in the architecture and cultural traditions of East Feliciana Parish. In the early 19th century, the area experienced an influx of settlers, mostly from other parts of the United States, attracted by the fertile soil and favorable climate for agriculture.

During the American Civil War, East Feliciana Parish was the site of several significant battles and military actions. The town of Clinton, the parish seat, was occupied by Union forces for much of the war, while the Confederate Army made strategic use of the area to control access to the Mississippi River. Many historic homes and buildings in the parish still bear the scars of this turbulent period in history.

Today, East Feliciana Parish preserves its rich heritage through a variety of cultural and historical attractions. Visitors can explore the numerous antebellum homes, visit the East Feliciana Historical Society Museum, or attend local festivals and events that showcase the traditions and customs of the area. The parish continues to be primarily rural, with agriculture playing a significant role in the local economy.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana.

  • 1805 - East Feliciana Parish is established on December 17.
  • 1818 - The Town of Clinton is incorporated on February 19.
  • 1865 - The Civil War ends, and East Feliciana Parish begins to rebuild from the destruction.
  • 1871 - The East Louisiana State Hospital opens in Jackson.
  • 1886 - The East Feliciana Railroad is completed, connecting Clinton and Jackson.
  • 1935 - The Dual-State River Toll Bridge is built, connecting East Feliciana Parish with Wilkinson County, Mississippi.
  • 1984 - The East Feliciana Parish Courthouse, originally built in 1890, is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 2008 - Hurricane Gustav causes significant damage to the parish.
  • 2019 - East Feliciana Parish celebrates its bicentennial.