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Beauregard Parish, Louisiana

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Beauregard Parish (French: Paroisse de Beauregard) is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 36,549.[1] The parish seat and most populous municipality is DeRidder.[2] The parish was formed on January 1, 1913.[3]

Beauregard Parish
Parish
Beauregard Parish Courthouse in DeRidder
Beauregard Parish Courthouse in DeRidder
Map of Louisiana highlighting Beauregard Parish
Location within the U.S. state of Louisiana
Map of the United States highlighting Louisiana
Louisiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°39′N 93°20′W / 30.65°N 93.34°W / 30.65; -93.34
Country United States
State Louisiana
FoundedJanuary 1, 1913
Named forP. G. T. Beauregard
SeatDeRidder
Largest cityDeRidder
Area
 • Total
1,166 sq mi (3,020 km2)
 • Land1,157 sq mi (3,000 km2)
 • Water8.5 sq mi (22 km2)  0.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
36,549
 • Density31/sq mi (12/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.beauparish.org

Beauregard Parish comprises the DeRidder, LA Micropolitan Statistical Area. The governing body is by the police jury system.

History

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Spanish and French rule

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Until 1762, the land that would eventually become Beauregard Parish was a part of the Spanish holdings in Louisiana, as, at that time, the border between Spain and France was acknowledged as the Rio Hondo (now known as the Calcasieu river); however the land between the Rio Hondo and the Sabine river was in some dispute as the French were beginning to occupy land on the west side of the Rio Hondo. In 1762, King Louis XV of France secretly gave Louisiana to Spain in the Treaty of Fontainebleau. From 1762 to 1800, the region was a part of New Spain. In 1800, the secret Third Treaty of San Ildefonso transferred possession of Louisiana back to the French, although Spain continued to administer the land until 1803. In this period, the only European settlers to the land that would become Beauregard Parish were a few individuals with Spanish land grants.[4]

Neutral Ground

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After the Louisiana Purchase by the United States in 1803, the region stretching from the Sabine River in the west to the Calcasieu River in the east was claimed by both Spain and the United States, leading to little law enforcement by either country. In order to avoid a war over the border, the two countries agreed that the land in contention would remain neutral and free of armed forces from either side. The area became known as the Neutral Ground or the Sabine Free State. During this period, the armies in the area—those of the United States and Spain—allowed the running of a ferry, enabling places such as Burr's Ferry in Vernon Parish, to prosper. The rest of the area was lawless, except for the occasional joint military venture to rid the area of "undesirables". However, even with the border dispute, several pioneers did settle the land during this period and were eventually given 3rd class homestead claims.[4] The Adams-Onís Treaty, signed in 1819 and ratified in 1821, recognized the U.S. claim, setting the final Louisiana western border at the Sabine River.[5]

  •  
    The Calcasieu River formed part of the eastern boundary of the Neutral Ground.
  •  
    The Neutral Ground, or Sabine Free State. Its western border was the Sabine River.

Parish origin

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In 1804, the United States organized present-day Louisiana as the Territory of Orleans. In 1805 the territory was further divided into 12 counties. Opelousas County included the entire southwestern section of the state, and extending almost to the Mississippi River in the northeast. By 1807 the counties were reorganized into parishes. St. Landry was one of the original nineteen civil parishes established by the Louisiana Legislature. St. Landry was the largest parish in Louisiana, called the Imperial St. Landry Parish. For a short period after the fall of New Orleans during the Civil War, Opelousas was not just the county seat but was the state capitol (until it was permanently moved to Baton Rouge). Calcasieu Parish was created March 24, 1840, from the western portion of Saint Landry Parish. Calcasieu Parish has since been divided into five smaller parishes. The original area of Calcasieu Parish was called Imperial Calcasieu Parish.

The bill to create Beauregard Parish out of the northern area of Imperial Calasieu Parish was passed in 1912 and took effect at the beginning of 1913.[3] The Parish was named after P.G.T. Beauregard, a Confederate general.[6]

Parish organization

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Although one faction wanted the town of Singer to be the parish seat, DeRidder was chosen by a majority of voters on October 15, 1912. (Today, the unincorporated community of Singer still exists and includes a post office, store, and school.) The parish was organized with a police jury as the governing body. Interim, county-wide police jury, judge and justice were appointed. However, on December 3, 1912, an election was held for the offices of sheriff, clerk of court, assessor, coroner, superintendent of public education, police juror, justice of the peace, constable, and members of the school board in each of the wards in the parish.

Native Americans

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At least four tribes lived in Beauregard Parish around the time it was founded. One was about six miles south of Sugartown on Indian Branch, another was just north of the old W.B. Welborn home on Bundick Creek, another was along the mouth of Anacoco Creek and another at Merryville, across the street from where Merryville High School now stands.[7]

The 1941 military build-up

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On November 28, 1941, a United Service Organizations was opened in DeRidder. (Of the more than 500 USO's opened during WW II, this was the first off-post USO to open in the U.S.) 89,000 soldiers visited the DeRidder USO; 15,000 took showers; and 27,000 viewed movies. The building was entered into the National Register of Historic Places on February 25, 1992.[8]

August through September 1941 saw the locally stationed military engaged in the Louisiana Maneuvers—the largest military maneuver in United States history (with more than 500,000 soldiers training for war).[9] The rapid influx of so many military personnel created problems that stemmed, in part, from alcohol overconsumption. In response, residents of Beauregard Parish voted to become a dry parish.

Law enforcement

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The parish level police agency is the Beauregard Parish Sheriff's Office. The current Sheriff (2020)is Mark V. Herford

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the parish has a total area of 1,166 square miles (3,020 km2), of which 1,157 square miles (3,000 km2) is land and 8.5 square miles (22 km2) (0.7%) is water.[10]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties and parishes

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
192020,767—
193014,569−29.8%
194014,8471.9%
195017,76619.7%
196019,1918.0%
197022,88819.3%
198029,69229.7%
199030,0831.3%
200032,9869.6%
201035,6548.1%
202036,5492.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010[15]
Beauregard Parish racial composition as of 2020[16]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 29,039 79.45%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 4,082 11.17%
Native American 273 0.75%
Asian 222 0.61%
Pacific Islander 27 0.07%
Other/Mixed 1,635 4.47%
Hispanic or Latino 1,271 3.48%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 36,549 people, 13,520 households, and 9,219 families residing in the parish.

Education

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Beauregard Parish School Board operates the parish public schools.[17]

It is in the service area of Sowela Technical Community College.[18]

National Guard

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The A Company, 3-156th Infantry Battalion is based in De Ridder. This unit deployed to Iraq twice as part of the 256th IBCT, in 2004-5 and 2010.

Communities

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Map of Beauregard Parish, Louisiana, with town labels

City

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  • DeRidder (parish seat and largest municipality)

Town

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Unincorporated areas

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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National Register of Historic Places

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There are 12 places listed on the National Register of Historic Places including the Beauregard Parish Courthouse, the Beauregard Parish Jail, the Beauregard Parish Training School, the DeRidder Commercial Historic District and the Burks House. See National Register of Historic Places listings in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana.

Politics

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United States presidential election results for Beauregard Parish, Louisiana[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 13,504 85.07% 2,192 13.81% 178 1.12%
2020 13,575 82.99% 2,542 15.54% 240 1.47%
2016 12,238 81.16% 2,393 15.87% 447 2.96%
2012 11,112 78.12% 2,828 19.88% 285 2.00%
2008 10,718 76.15% 3,071 21.82% 285 2.03%
2004 9,470 71.30% 3,666 27.60% 145 1.09%
2000 7,862 64.42% 3,958 32.43% 385 3.15%
1996 5,526 44.21% 4,925 39.40% 2,048 16.39%
1992 5,119 40.79% 5,037 40.13% 2,395 19.08%
1988 6,466 57.30% 4,704 41.69% 114 1.01%
1984 7,353 63.13% 4,199 36.05% 96 0.82%
1980 5,250 47.47% 5,556 50.24% 253 2.29%
1976 3,196 36.38% 5,322 60.57% 268 3.05%
1972 4,955 69.41% 1,728 24.21% 456 6.39%
1968 1,615 22.33% 1,569 21.70% 4,048 55.97%
1964 3,349 52.34% 3,049 47.66% 0 0.00%
1960 2,432 40.77% 2,903 48.67% 630 10.56%
1956 2,711 52.68% 2,276 44.23% 159 3.09%
1952 789 44.20% 996 55.80% 0 0.00%
1948 449 12.93% 1,653 47.60% 1,371 39.48%
1944 759 25.43% 2,226 74.57% 0 0.00%
1940 528 16.47% 2,677 83.53% 0 0.00%
1936 549 20.11% 2,181 79.89% 0 0.00%
1932 146 5.92% 2,319 94.08% 0 0.00%
1928 468 23.62% 1,513 76.38% 0 0.00%
1924 235 16.47% 1,191 83.46% 1 0.07%
1920 202 14.83% 1,146 84.14% 14 1.03%
1916 59 5.73% 968 94.07% 2 0.19%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Beauregard Parish, Louisiana". Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ a b Gremillion, John Berton (2008). "Beauregard Parish". library.mcneese.edu. McNeese State University. Archived from the original on January 30, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  4. ^ a b [Claims to Land Between the Rio Hondo and Sabine Rivers in Louisiana. Communicated to the Senate January 31, 1825]
  5. ^ "The Adams-Onis Treaty of 1819". Archived from the original on July 15, 2009. Retrieved June 28, 2009. -Treaty
  6. ^ "Beauregard Tourist Commission - Travel information, Historical Landmarks, Travel Planner". Beauregard Tourist Commission. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  7. ^ "Beauregard Parish, Louisiana Genealogical Records Information". Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
  8. ^ "The First USO". Archived from the original on May 9, 2008. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
  9. ^ "Louisiana Maneuvers (1940-41) | HistoryNet". www.historynet.com. November 25, 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  10. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  11. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  12. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  13. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  14. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  15. ^ "Beauregard Parish, Louisiana". quickfacts.census.gov. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
  16. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  17. ^ "Find Schools in the USA and Canada". louisiana.schooltree.org. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  18. ^ "Our Colleges". Louisiana's Technical and Community Colleges. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  19. ^ Ragley isn't incorporated according to the State's official website for Beauregard Parish Archived July 22, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
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Geology

30°39′N 93°20′W / 30.65°N 93.34°W / 30.65; -93.34

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