IMAGES From Nostalgiaville
LOUISIANA- MARKSVILLE, LA- 2/08/05

Making a Mark... in
Marksville, Louisiana

In the 1725 - 1770 period under French rule early pioneers and settlers from Point Coupee and Natchitoches Parishes and surrounding areas began to settle the area.  The Spanish were in control of Louisiana from 1762 - 1800 and established "Poste de la Aveyelles" in 1783 at Marksville to administer to the governmental affairs of the people.

Old Indian trails were the predecessors of many roads in Avoyelles.  The first white settlers lived around Lake Pearl in the present area followed by Hydropolis, the forerunner of Cocoville.  The Mansura area was formerly identified as the "Prairie des Avoyelles."  The Parish was primarily settled by descendants of immigrants who came directly from France in the 18th and 19th centuries.  The French of Avoyelles is therefore derived from the standard 1850 Parisian French and is different from the Acadian (Frenchmen) who are primarily in southwest Louisiana.  The early 1800's saw the arrival of English speaking Americans along Bayou Beouf, Bayou des Glaises Louji Evergreen area and Ward 1 Effie.  The French influence, however was noted in most areas.

During the Civil War era, Avoyelles had military action as witnessed at Fort DeRussy (Marksville), the Battle of Mansura, and the Battle of Yellow Bayou (Simesport).  Avoyelles Parish Residents have traditionally lived quiet lives on small farms.  The Catholic religion is predominant.  Cotton plantations before and after the Civil War were established along the Bayou des Glaises loop.  Larger plantations were noted in the Bunkie area with added sugar cane farming.  The Parish is geographically located in the center of the state with a present day population of approximately 40,000.  The land area consists of 864 square miles.  Cropland and pasture accounts for 52 percent and woodlands, 34 percent.

Agribusiness remains Avoyelles' major industry including forest products, sweet potatoes, cotton ginning, cattle sales and fisheries sales.  Major crops are rice, sugar cane, corn, soybeans and sweet potatoes.  Over 20,000 areas are lakes, bayous, and rivers and the parish has been traditionally known as a "Sportsman's Paradise."  Abundant in wildlife and fisheries, the parish boast state wildlife management areas including Spring Bayou, Pomme de Terre and Grassy Lake.  National Wildlife Refuges include Lake Ophelia and Grand Cote.  A number of historic properties have been entered on the National Register of Historic Places.  Many historic markers are also noted throughout the parish.  The concern for economic development prompted the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury to establish as Avoyelles Tourist Commission in 1993 to promote the area.  The establishment of the Grand Casino at Marksville, now known as Paragon Casino has impacted tourism.

J HORACE DUCOTE LAW OFFICE
1900  Ducote, a local attorney and former Mayor, practiced law from this Victorian Brick and frame building at the turn of the century.

JULES COCO BUILDING
1899 - 1918.  Left section of this building was built in 1899 and the right section was added in 1918 by Jules Coco, a local merchant.  this building has housed general merchandise stores, a Ford dealership, photo studio, hat shop, record shop, woodwork shop, and furniture store.  Currently houses the newspaper offices of "The Avoyelles Journal" and "The Weekly News," founded in 1843 and the oldest weekly in the state.  Ricard building was originally on this site.