DeSoto Parish Louisiana

         MANSFIELD CELEBRATES 150TH BIRTHDAY

Mansfield is celebrating its 150th birthday April 13-20, 1997.  The re-enactment of the Battle of Mansfield will be part of that
on April 19 & 20, 1997.

For the history of Mansfield and DeSoto Parish, click here.

INTERESTING PLACES TO VISIT
DeSoto's first Courthouse 1843-1854--DeSoto Parish was created out of Natchitoches and Caddo Parishes by ACT 88 of 1843.  On               June 3,1843, the first meeting of Parish Officers was held in Screamerville, two miles west of Grand Cane.  With the site for the new parish seat to be at Mansfield, the debate between Screamerville and Augusta was settled.  A quarter section of land was purchased at the present site of Mansfield and lots on which to build a log courthouse and jail were sold.  The price for the two buildings was $900.00.  Upon completion the log courthouse was accepted by the Police Jury, August 7, 1843 and first term of court was August 5, 1843.  The old log courthouse
was lost sometime after it was replaced by a new building and was only recently "rediscovered" within the walls of the Old General Ross Hewitt home as it was being demolished.  Realizing the significance of such a find, the DeSoto Parish Historical Society endeavored to preserve the historical structure.  A committee spearheaded by Mrs. Eileen Nabors set about the task of raising the necessary funds for the restorations and
preservation of the old courthouse.  Through their efforts, over $30,000 was raised.  Contractor Dennis Manthei reconstructed the old structure under the supervision of local historian Raymond Powell.  It is now located on Polk Street at the Mini Park.  Visitors are encouraged to stop and take a step back in history as they view the artifacts contained within the historical structure.  The ole bell that stands outside, is the original bell that summoned the court into session in 1843.

      Mansfield State Commemorative Area 
      15149 Highway 175
      Mansfield, LA 71052
      (318-872-1474)

Located four miles south of the town of Mansfield on LA 175.  The 178-acre  site has a museum exhibiting Civil War weapons, arms, uniforms, letters, diaries, documents, and other related artifacts.  An interpretive trail, named in honor of General Mouton, winds throughout the site.  In 1973, this state commemorative area was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, an honorary designation for significant historical sites.

Interpretive Center--the story of the most important battle of the Civil War west of the  Mississippi is told inside the Mansfield Museum by the use of exhibits, dioramas and an audiovisual presentation.

DeSoto Parish Library
109 Crosby St.
Mansfield LA, 71052  
318-872-6100

DeSoto Historical Society
503 Mary Lou Lane 
Mansfield, LA 71052




 

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