Alexandria, Louisiana

Alexandria is a city in Louisiana and is the parish seat of Rapides Parish. It lies on the south bank of the Red River in almost the exact geographic center of the state. The population was 46,342 at the 2000 census. It is the largest municipality of Greater Alexandria (population 123,211) along with Pineville, Ball, Boyce, Woodworth, & Lecompte. In addition, it is the seventh largest city in the state.

Geography

Alexandria is located at .

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 69.9 km² (27.0 mi²). 68.4 km² (26.4 mi²) of it is land and 1.5 km² (0.6 mi²) of it (2.15%) is water.

Alexandria is on a level plain in the center of the Louisiana Longleaf Pine forests, in which pine is interspersed with various hardwoods. In the immediate vicinity of the city, cotton, sugar, alfalfa and garden vegetables are cultivated.

History

Originally home to a community supporting activities of the adjacent Spanish outpost of Post du Rapides, the area developed as a vibrant yet sometimes debaucherous assemblage of traders and merchants in the agricultural lands bordering the mostly unsettled areas to the north, and providing a link to from the south to the El Camino Real and then larger settlement of Natchitoches. Alexander Fulton, a Pennsylvania businessman, received a land grant from Spain in 1785 and the first organized settlement was made at that time. In 1805. Fulton and business partner Thomas Harris Maddox laid out the town plan and named the town after Fulton's infant daughter who died around that time. It was first incorporated as a town in 1818 and received a city charter in 1882.

The Civil War

Settled by northerners and having little culturally in common with the majority of the Old South, Alexandria found itself in a strange quandary during the American Civil War. Regardless of political inclinations or loyalties to North or South, its location on the Red River made the city a major strategic target. In the spring of 1863, a Union fleet under Admiral David D. Porter, operating on the Red River, cooperated with land forces under General Nathaniel Prentice Banks in pushing the Confederates westward. Alexandria was occupied on May 7, 1863, but the troops were soon withdrawn for the Port Hudson attack. On March 19, 1864, it was again occupied by the Union forces, who made it the point of concentration for another land and naval expedition against E. Kirby Smith and Shreveport. After the check of this expedition and its abandonment, Alexandria was again vacated on the 12th-13th of May, when the city was almost entirely burned, leaving only a few homes owned by friends of Union General Sherman and the city's cathedral which had been defended from fire squads by a shotgun wielding bishop at its front door. The Union gunboats, which had passed up the river toward Shreveport at high water, were caught in its decline above the falls at Alexandria, but they were saved by a splendid piece of engineering (a dam at the falls), constructed by Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Bailey, who for this service received the thanks of Congress and the brevet of brigadier-general of volunteers.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 46,342 people, 17,816 households, and 11,722 families residing in the city. The population density was 677.5/km² (1,754.6/mi²). There were 19,806 housing units at an average density of 289.6/km² (749.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 42.60% White, 54.75% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.25% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 17,816 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% were married couples living together, 23.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.1% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 83.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,097, and the median income for a family was $31,978. Males had a median income of $29,456 versus $20,154 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,242. About 23.2% of families and 27.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.7% of those under age 18 and 18.5% of those age 65 or over.

Local Attractions

Since 1908 Alexandria has enjoyed the luxurious Hotel Bentley which was built by a wealthy lumberman named Joseph A. Bentley. This grand hotel is known for its decor, fine dining, and superb accommodations. Its placement next to the Red River and its status as a historical Louisiana landmark have been the major attraction of the guests who enjoy the experience of staying there. Alexandria is also home to one of the finest authentic Irish pubs in the region, the appropriately named Finnegans Wake. Down the street, you can enjoy art, jazz, and a cocktail at the classy Alex 1805 lounge. The Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center also resides nearby. This state of the art theater opened in 2004 and seats 615 people. The center was designed to host artists as well as companies, businesses, schools, and anyone who needs a facility that can provide these kinds of accommodations.

Sports teams

Alexandria is the home of the Alexandria Aces minor league baseball team.

External links

City of Alexandria : Government and community services.

Alexandria, Louisiana | Cities in Louisiana | Rapides Parish, Louisiana

Alexandria (Luizjana) | Alexandria (Louisiana)