by Carl A. Brasseaux

On March 2, 1871, Governor Henry Clay Warmoth signed Act 39 creating Red River Parish. Red River Parish, a plantation region, was the scene of much Reconstruction-era violence.

In 2000, Red River Parish had a population of 9,622. Coushatta, the parish seat, is the regional commercial center and home of the annual Lignite Festival.

Rural Red River Parish offers visitors some of the best bass fishing sites in the state.

PRINCIPAL TOWNS

Coushatta

Attractions

Armistead Cotton Gin