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number of State Historical Sites range from about a 20 minute to about an
hour's drive from Bailey Bluff. Aside from the experience of being able
to visit these historical places, they also offer regular programs to take
you into the historical experience more personally. Los Adaes dates
back to the early 1700s when a Franciscan missionary from New Spain (now
Mexico), Father Francisco Hidalgo, urged the French governor of Louisiana
to establish a post near east Texas. During its life, Fort Jesup
served the area in many ways. At various times soldiers were sent out to
clear the Sabine River, to serve as Indian agents, or to help plantation
owners along the Red River prevent slave insurrections. In addition, the
post helped settlers feel secure against Indian raids. Through living history
events, exhibits, battle reenactments and interpretive programs, Mansfield
State Commemorative Area allows you to travel back to the unrest of
the Civil War years. Rebel State Commemorative Area traces its origin
back to the days of the American Civil War. According to a local legend,
a young Confederate soldier or "Rebel" became separated from his
unit during a skirmish at Crump's Corner, near present-day Marthaville.
The Louisiana Country Music Museum, also at Rebel State Commemorative
Area, contains exhibits that tell the story of how various folk music traditions
developed in this region - from early gospel and string band music to the
country sounds we enjoy today. Fort St. Jean Baptiste, in Natchitoches,
portrays the history and culture of French Colonial Louisiana. It is a replication
of the original fort built in 1732 to prevent the Spanish of East Texas
from advancing into Louisiana. For more info on these sites and a calendar
of upcoming programs at the sites: http://www.toledo-bend.com/srala
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Alexandria,
and its nearby neighbor, Pineville offer extensive shopping opportunities
for much of more rural Louisiana. Attractions include a beautiful river
front park, a magnificent 1896 cathedral, Alexandria Zoological Park,
River Oaks Square Arts Center, Alexandria Museum of Art, Tyrone Plantation,
and Kent Plantation House. One of Alexandria's most recent historical
and cultural projects is the restored home of Harlem Renaissance writer
Arna Bontemps. It now houses the African-American Museum and Cultural
Arts Center.
In Lake Charles
you'll find the only white-sand inland beach on Interstate 10. Return
to the days of yesteryear at the Imperial Calcasieu Museum and Brimstone
Museum, or take the kids to the Children's Museum. The historic Charpentier
district has Victorian era homes built in a style so unique it's been
called "Lake Charles Architecture". See alligators in their
natural habitat and explore the Creole Nature Trail Scenic Byway. For
adults, Lake Charles features riverboat casinos and horse racing at Delta
Downs. Of course, this city also features plenty of great shopping opportunities.
Leesville municipal
park is located north of Leesville and contains a fenced playground with
picnic tables and barbecue pits. The park also has a swimming pool, tennis
courts, a nine hole golf course an indoor facility with capacity for 225
people. The new Leesville Recreation complex, located adjacent to the
parish fairgrounds, offers five lighted baseball/ softball fields and
a centralized concession stand. Future plans include a walking path, football
field, basketball and tennis courts. Shopping
centers include: Berrytown Shopping Center, L-Plaza, Leesville Square,
New Llano Plaza, Phillips Square and Southgate Plaza. If you're looking
for that special something there are a host of charming shops dotted throughout
the area with everything from arts and crafts, to exclusive apparel.
The shopping hub of
Sabine Parish, Many includes a variety of businesses, shops, stores
and restaurants. Shopping in the downtown area is a pleasant experience,
and consumers can park and walk from store to store to check out the sales.
Natchitoches,
the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase Territory (1714),
is proud of its heritage. Unique architecture, including the largest assortment
of Creole architecture in the Mississippi Valley, scenic beauty, the 33-mile-long
Cane River Lake meandering through the center of the city, a Historic
Landmark District, Landmarks Melrose Plantation and Kate Chopin Home,
Magnolia and Beau Fort Plantations and an abundance of bed & breakfast
establishments capture the imagination of its historic past. Trolley and
boat rides, a National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium, Louisiana Sports Hall
of Fame, National Center for Historic Preservation, museums, art galleries,
theaters, Fort St. Jean Baptiste - the list of things to see and do is
endless! Five major festivals culminate with the 69th annual Christmas
Festival of Lights (first Saturday in December), with fabulous lighting
displays throughout the month in the "City of Lights." November
and December are "musts" for a visit!
If you enjoy Broadway
and ballet, be sure to get tickets to the historic Strand Theater in Shreveport.
For more culture, visit the R. W. Norton Art Gallery, featuring American
and European masterpieces and a private collection of Remingtons. Shreveport
is linked to neighboring Bossier City by the nation's largest neon-lit
bridge. There is abundant shopping and fabulous specialty foods such as
Cajun, Tex-Mex, French, Italian, and Oriental. Louisiana Downs is the
area's premier thoroughbred racetrack and there are a number of casinos
for those wishing to visit Lady Luck. Hamel's Amusement Park and Water
Town USA are musts for the family! You may like a leisurely stroll through
the Gardens of the American Rose Center and the Barnwell Garden and Art
Center. For more complete information: http://www.toledo-bend.com/srala/area/area.html
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