National Register Listing

Shepis Building

Main St., Columbia, LA
Local significance of the building:
Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

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.

Audiobooks about the history of Louisiana.
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
Caldwell Parish, located in the state of Louisiana, has a rich history that dates back to the early 19th century. The area was initially settled by French and Spanish explorers in the 1700s, but it wasn't until 1806 that Caldwell Parish was officially established by the Louisiana legislature. The parish was named after John Caldwell, a prominent Louisiana politician and judge.

In the early years of its establishment, Caldwell Parish was primarily an agricultural community, with cotton and sugarcane being the main crops grown by local farmers. The parish's fertile soil and favorable climate contributed to the success of these crops and attracted more settlers to the area.

During the Civil War, Caldwell Parish was heavily impacted by the conflict. Many local men joined the Confederate army, and the area became a battleground between Union and Confederate forces. The parish also experienced economic hardships during this time, as the war disrupted the agricultural production and trade.

Following the Civil War, Caldwell Parish slowly began to rebuild its economy and infrastructure. The railroad played a crucial role in the development of the area, providing transportation for goods and connecting Caldwell Parish to other parts of the state. The parish continued to rely on agriculture, but also diversified its economy, with the timber industry becoming an important source of revenue.

Today, Caldwell Parish remains a rural community with a strong agricultural heritage. While the economy has evolved, agriculture still plays a significant role in the parish's economy, along with other sectors such as timber, manufacturing, and retail. The rich history and natural beauty of Caldwell Parish continue to attract visitors, making it a unique part of Louisiana's cultural and historical landscape.

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

  • 1804: Caldwell Parish is created as a separate entity from Ouachita Parish.
  • 1848: Columbia becomes the official parish seat.
  • 1853: Caldwell Parish courthouse is completed in Columbia.
  • 1861-1865: Caldwell Parish is heavily impacted by the American Civil War.
  • Early 1900s: Agriculture, particularly cotton cultivation, drives the economy.
  • 1927: Catastrophic flooding occurs along the Ouachita River in Caldwell Parish.
  • 1930s-1940s: The Great Depression and World War II cause economic challenges for the area.
  • 1950s-1960s: Caldwell Parish experiences growth with the expansion of industry and the completion of the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway.
  • 1970s-1980s: Manufacturing and oil exploration contribute to the local economy.
  • 1990s-2000s: The timber industry becomes an important sector, and efforts are made to promote tourism and outdoor recreation in the area.