by Alana A. Carmon
Beauregard
Parish was carved out of Imperial Calcasieu Parish in 1912. During the early
nineteenth century, the area that later became Beauregard was part of the
Neutral Strip, a territory that both the United States and Spanish Texas
could not occupy until border disputes were resolved.
Beauregard
Parish, the "southern gateway to The Western Corridor," consequently
emerged with a heritage that reflects both Louisiana and Texas. Prior to The Adams-Onis
Treaty of 1819 defining distinct boundaries at the Sabine River, the territory
was a criminals haven filled with bandits, smugglers, and fugitive
slaves. Situated on 1160
square miles, present-day Beauregard Parish has a population slightly over
30,000. The parish's economy is based on forestry, livestock, paper and clothing
manufacturing, and agriculture. Their chief crops are soybeans and rice.
Beauregard Parish
is the ideal locale for outdoor lovers. Waterways such as the Sabine River,
Whiskey Chitto, Toro Bayou and Kisatchie Bayou are ideal havens for canoeing
and fishing. Hunting for birds and larger game is also a popular sport. Bird
watchers and hunters find the vicinity rich in opportunities, for half of
the birds of North America are found in Southwest Louisiana. Visitors are
especially encouraged to tour DeRidder--whose downtown area is listed as
a National Register Historic District.
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