National Register Listing

Downtown Minden Historic District

a.k.a. See Also:Bank of Minden;Bank of Webster

Roughly bounded by Monroe, Pine, Main, E. Union, Chevrolet, and Fogle Sts., Minden, LA
Local significance of the district:
Commerce

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

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.

Louisiana was a slave state before the American Civil War, and the state played a significant role in the Civil War. The Battle of Port Hudson, which took place in Louisiana in 1863, was the longest siege in American history.
Louisiana random facts
Webster Parish, located in the northwestern part of Louisiana, has a rich and fascinating history that stretches back to the early 1800s. Originally home to Native American tribes such as the Caddo and Choctaw, the area was first settled by European-Americans in the early 19th century. The formation of Webster Parish occurred in 1871, when it was carved out of the neighboring Bienville, Bossier, and Claiborne Parishes.

During the antebellum era, Webster Parish was predominantly rural and heavily dependent on agriculture. The primary crops were cotton and corn, and many plantation owners relied on enslaved labor to work the fields. After the Civil War, the parish experienced significant economic changes, with industrial development and the timber industry playing a key role in its growth. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century further spurred economic development and facilitated transportation.

In the early 20th century, Webster Parish saw the rise of the oil industry, which brought about significant economic prosperity. Many oil fields were discovered, and companies established drilling operations, attracting workers and boosting the local economy. The discovery of the Dorcheat Field in the 1930s further solidified the parish's status as an important oil-producing region.

Today, Webster Parish remains an important center for agriculture, timber, and oil production. The parish is also home to several historical sites and landmarks that highlight its diverse history. These include the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, which exhibits artifacts and documents from the area's past, as well as the Minden Historic Residential District, which showcases well-preserved homes from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Overall, the history of Webster Parish reflects the region's transformation from a rural agricultural community to a thriving center of industry and commerce.

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

  • 1803 - The area of Webster Parish is acquired by the United States in the Louisiana Purchase.
  • 1836 - The region is included in the newly formed Claiborne Parish.
  • 1871 - Webster Parish is established as a separate parish, named after statesman Daniel Webster.
  • 1873 - The town of Minden is officially incorporated.
  • 1883 - The Cotton Belt Railroad is completed, bringing economic growth to the area.
  • 1929 - The Great Depression hits the region, causing economic hardships for residents.
  • 1934 - Construction of the Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center begins, providing employment opportunities.
  • 1979 - The Minden Historic District is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 2003 - A tornado hits parts of Webster Parish, causing significant damage.
  • 2010 - The population of Webster Parish reaches over 41,000 residents.