1903 Clinton High School
11050 Bank St., Clinton, LA Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
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.
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.
East Feliciana Parish Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history 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.