Tallulah Men's Club Building
a.k.a. Tallulah Club
108 N. Cedar St., Tallulah, LA Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
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.
Established in 1839, Madison Parish was named after James Madison, the fourth President of the United States. Its fertile soil attracted settlers, particularly cotton planters, who brought enslaved Africans to work the land. The parish flourished economically as a significant producer of cotton during the antebellum period.
The Civil War had a profound impact on Madison Parish, as it did on many Southern regions. The area saw battles and skirmishes as Union and Confederate forces vied for control. The war devastated the economy and social fabric of the parish, with many cotton plantations destroyed, and the emancipation of slaves changing the labor force drastically.
In the years following the Civil War, Madison Parish continued to depend on agriculture, primarily cotton and later soybeans, as its economic backbone. Despite numerous challenges, including floods and economic downturns, Madison Parish has maintained its agrarian character and remains an essential agricultural hub in Louisiana. Today, the parish continues to honor its history while embracing new opportunities for growth and development.
Madison Parish Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Madison Parish, Louisiana.
- 1682: French explorer Robert de La Salle claims the land in present-day Madison Parish as part of the Louisiana territory.
- 19th century: The area becomes a prominent cotton-producing region due to fertile soil and proximity to the Mississippi River.
- 1836: Madison Parish is established as a separate entity from neighboring counties.
- 1861-1865: During the American Civil War, Madison Parish is occupied by Union forces and experiences significant damage.
- Late 19th to early 20th century: The parish's economy shifts from agriculture to timber and logging.
- 1927: The Great Mississippi Flood devastates Madison Parish and causes extensive damage to infrastructure and farmland.
- Mid-20th century: Mechanization leads to a decline in agricultural labor needs, leading to population decline.
- 21st century: Madison Parish continues to face economic and population challenges, with efforts focused on revitalization and community development.