Natchitoches, Louisiana

The city of Natchitoches (pronounced ) is the parish seat of Natchitoches Parish, in the US state of Louisiana. The population was 17,865 at the 2000 census.

The popular singer Jim Croce died in a plane crash on September 20, 1973, in Natchitoches, where he was to appear in a concert. He was 30. He died a day before the release of his third ABC album, I Got a Name.

Natchitoches has long been known for its popular Christmas lighting festival. held the first Saturday in December. The lights continue to brighten the Cane River until after New Year's Day. In 2006, the festival will celebrate its 80th year of existence.

Several motion pictures have been filmed in Natchitoches, including Steel Magnolias, starring Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Daryll Hannah, Shirley McLaine, Dolly Parton, and Olympia Dukakis, and The Horse Soldiers, starring William Holden and John Wayne.

Geography

Natchitoches is located at (31.754123, -93.095085).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 65.1 km² (25.1 mi²). 55.8 km² (21.6 mi²) of it is land and 9.2 km² (3.6 mi²) of it (14.21%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 17,865 people, 6,113 households, and 3,631 families residing in the city. The population density was 319.9/km² (828.5/mi²). There were 6,731 housing units at an average density of 120.5/km² (312.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 43.72% White, 53.00% African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.30% of the population.

There were 6,113 households out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.3% were married couples living together, 21.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.6% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% 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 3.18.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 27.2% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 16.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 85.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,111, and the median income for a family was $30,396. Males had a median income of $28,601 versus $17,859 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,642. About 26.7% of families and 34.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.0% of those under age 18 and 19.2% of those age 65 or over.

Educational institutions

History

Natchitoches was established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis. It is the oldest permanent settlement within the borders of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase.

Natchitoches was founded as a French outpost on the Red River for trade with Spanish-controlled Mexico, with the French presence beginning as early as 1699. The settlement's site was established near a village of Natchitoches Indians.

After the Louisiana Purchase, Natchitoches experienced a population boom, and several plantations were built along the river. The river eventually changed its course, bypassing Natchitoches and cutting off its lucrative connection with the Mississippi. What was once known as the Red River is now Cane River Lake, a 33-mile long body of water that runs from the city’s downtown historic district through Plantation Country.

Accommodations

Natchitoches, a popular tourism area of the state is equipped to serve visitors with 10 national chain hotels, and nearly 40 bed and breakfast inns.

Trivia

The 1989 film Steel Magnolias was filmed in Natchitoches.

The film Man in the Moon, starring Reese Witherspoon and Sam Waterston, was also filmed in Natchitoches. According to Natchitoches residents, due to poor treatment by Steel Magnolias filmmakers, it was difficult to find locals willing to participate in the filming of Man in the Moon. "The Horse Soldiers", starring John Wayne and William Holden was filmed in the area in the 1950s. More recently, a television pilot for the Lifetime Television Network, "Scarlett" was filmed in the downtown historic district, as well as the independent film "The American Standards".

The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, a boarding school for academically gifted high school students from Louisiana, is located in Natchitoches on the campus of Northwestern State University of Louisiana.

Natchitoches was also the site of the 1973 plane crash that claimed singer Jim Croce's life. Croce had just performed a concert on campus for Northwestern State University students at Prather Coliseum.

Natchitoches is well known for its Meat Pies.

External links

Cities in Louisiana | Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana | University towns