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46-629: The Calcasieu rises in Vernon Parish , north of Leesville , and flows initially southeast, passing through the Kisatchie National Forest southwest of Alexandria . It then turns southwest, flowing past Oakdale and Lake Charles , the largest city on the river. It enters the north end of the brackish Calcasieu Lake , an estuary on the Gulf of Mexico approximately 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Lake Charles. The lake, which

92-520: A Master of Arts in Liberal Arts. The Upper Iowa University (UIU) at Fort Johnson offers classes on post to both military personnel and civilians in the area. It was opened in 1995 and offers bachelor's degrees in nine majors. Courses can also be blended with UIU distance learning programs (online and independent study) to complete 11 other majors. Certificate programs are also available. UIU offers courses on post during five eight-week terms during

138-438: A blasted finish. The first floor has quarters for the jailer and his family. In the jail's basement, a long corridor leads to the courthouse next door. In 1928, there was a famous double execution by hanging in the jail for two murderers. These were the only recorded hangings in the jail. The prisoners were hanged by an apparatus at the top of the spiral staircase. After this the jail became known as "the hanging jail". The jail

184-529: A railway to the area in 1897 stimulated the marketing of lumber and businesses in the area. Since World War II , Fort Johnson , formerly Fort Polk, has been most important to the parish economy. The population of the Leesville area rapidly increased fivefold after the fort was opened. Vernon Parish is part of the Fort Johnson South , LA Micropolitan Statistical Area , which is also included in

230-529: Is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana . As of the 2020 census , the population was 48,750. The parish seat and most populous municipality is Leesville . Bordered on the west by the Sabine River , the parish was founded in 1871 during the Reconstruction era . It was long a center of the timber industry, which harvested pine in the hills and bottomland hardwoods. Construction of

276-463: Is a public, open-admission community college offering associate degrees and certificate programs in academic, professional and vocational/technical fields. Due to its proximity to Fort Johnson, CTC has evolved from a small junior college into a college catering to the military. CTC also help students transition from a 2-year to a 4-year degree through numerous articulation agreements with 4-year institutions nationwide. Louisiana State University offers

322-406: Is a spiral staircase that leads up to three floors of jail cells. Another history-making fact is that each cell had a toilet, shower, lavatory and window. When the jail was in use, prisoners could often be seen waving from the barred windows. It was built to house 50 or so prisoners, but held 13 in comfort. The walls are 13 to 21 in (0.33 to 0.53 m) thick, made of reinforced concrete with

368-414: Is located at Fort Johnson. 31°07′N 93°11′W  /  31.11°N 93.19°W  / 31.11; -93.19 DeRidder, Louisiana DeRidder is a city in, and the parish seat of, Beauregard Parish , Louisiana , United States. A small portion of the city extends into Vernon Parish . As of the 2010 census DeRidder had a population of 10,578. It is the smaller principal city of

414-486: Is part of the University of Louisiana System. The NSU -Leesville/Fort Johnson Campus is located on Highway 467 near Fort Johnson . It serves the civilian communities of Vernon, Beauregard, and Sabine parishes, as well as the military community at Fort Johnson. http://leesville.nsula.edu/ The Fort Johnson Education Center offers self-development opportunities for Service members, military family members, Department of

460-718: Is referred to by locals as "Big Lake", is connected by a 5-mile (8 km) channel to the gulf on the south end. The lower portion of the river south of Lake Charles is paralleled by a navigable canal which connects to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway . In the early 19th century, the area of present-day Louisiana and Texas west of the Calcasieu River extending roughly north-south to the Arroyo Hondo in Natchitoches Parish and east of

506-549: Is that the chemical sinks in water and becomes covered by deposits of silt. Any clean-up would inevitably stir up the covered chemical, causing further ecological damage . The lower end of the estimated spill (19,000,000 pounds (8,600 tonnes)) would be two times the 1988 US production of ethylene dichloride, which was 9,445,000 tons. 1.6 million tons were cleaned up. Any construction might disturb contaminated soil so would have to be constantly monitored. Vernon Parish, Louisiana Vernon Parish (French: Paroisse de Vernon )

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552-536: Is water. The northern section of the Green Acres subdivision, west of highway 171 on the extreme northwest side of DeRidder, extends into Vernon Parish. Another section of the city, running north along the east side highway 171, up to a parallel with Golden Lantern road, also extends into Vernon Parish. Water and sewage for Green Acres and Country Estates Subdivisions is provided by the independent Green Acres Water & Sewer District #1 The building known as

598-555: The DeRidder -Fort Johnson South, LA Combined Statistical Area . The area comprising Vernon was a part of a tract of land whose control was disputed in the late 18th century between the United States and Spain. They called this land the " Neutral Strip " and refrained from posting police or military personnel there. As a result, the area became a haven for outlaws. Prior to the United States acquisition of this territory through

644-495: The DeRidder-Fort Johnson South CSA , a Combined Statistical Area that includes the Fort Johnson South ( Vernon Parish ) and DeRidder (Beauregard Parish) micropolitan areas, which had a combined population of 87,988 at the 2010 census. DeRidder was named for Ella de Ridder, the sister-in-law of a Dutch railroad financier, Jan de Goeijen (cf. De Queen, Arkansas ). Her family originally came from

690-537: The Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803, the primary settlers who came to the area were ethnic French and Spanish. During this period, Dr. Timothy Burr, a Massachusetts native who had migrated to Louisiana from Mt. Vernon, Ohio, established the community of Burr Ferry at his landing on the Sabine River. This community became known as the "Gateway to Louisiana " from the west. For decades this area

736-486: The Sabine River was disputed between the United States and Spain . The dispute arose from differing interpretations of the western boundary of Louisiana under the terms of the Louisiana Purchase . The area became known as Neutral Ground and became a haven for privateers outside the legal jurisdiction of both nations. During the US Civil War, a naval engagement occurred on May 6, 1864 at Calcasieu Pass , with

782-554: The U.S. Census Bureau , the parish has a total area of 1,341 square miles (3,470 km ), of which 1,328 square miles (3,440 km ) is land and 14 square miles (36 km ) (1.0%) is water. It is the largest parish in Louisiana by land area. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 48,750 people, 17,696 households, and 12,375 families residing in the parish. All public schools in Vernon Parish are operated by

828-673: The Vernon Parish School Board , which operates 18 public schools and one optional school. Schools providing a secondary education include: The Louisiana Technical College (LTC) system operates the Lamar Salter campus south of New Llano. The Central Louisiana Technical College Lamar Salter campus is one of 40 LTC campuses across the state. Northwestern State University (NSU), is a four-year public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana and

874-491: The "Old Beauregard Parish Jail " is a structure built in 1914 that is considered one of the most distinctive of its type in the US. The structure has the characteristics of the collegiate Gothic Revival architectural style, with shallow arches, dormer windows, and a central tower. This style was popular with colleges, universities, and churches. The iron bars in most of the windows give the structure an eerie appearance. Inside, there

920-528: The 160 acres (0.65 km ) which was later platted and became the original townsite of DeRidder." According to Eva Stewart Frazar, whose family came to DeRidder near the turn of the century, "The largest pine in the world grew where DeRidder now stands - or so it is claimed by timber men who knew." About the origin of the town, she says, "the Kansas City railroad was built from Kansas City to Port Arthur - and came right through here about 1896. By 1898

966-692: The American Civil War, an artillery site was constructed nearby. Now called the "Confederate Breast Works", it was manned by the Confederacy to guard against Union movements along the Nolan Trace. On March 30. 1871, the Louisiana General Assembly passed an act to create Vernon Parish, by taking territory from the three parishes noted above, as population had increased in the area. There are four versions of how

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1012-781: The Beauregard Parish Jail (see below) were built in 1914. In July 27, 2024, recent DeRidder mayor Misty Clanton Roberts, an independent who was first elected in 2018, resigned after being investigated for rape of a juvenile and would then be arrested five days later after turning herself in. The local fire chief was named to be the city's acting mayor. DeRidder is located in northern Beauregard Parish at 30°51′5″N 93°17′25″W  /  30.85139°N 93.29028°W  / 30.85139; -93.29028 (30.851419, -93.290230) and has an elevation of 203 feet (61.9 m). U.S. Route 171 leads south 48 miles (77 km) to Lake Charles and north 15 miles (24 km) to

1058-540: The Confederates capturing two Union gun boats. Because the river passes through areas with intensive petroleum refining and other industries, petrochemical wastes have been found contaminating the river and estuarine environment along the lower Calcasieu River. A 1993, a Condea Vista Chemical Company pipeline spill was reported by the company to have leaked 1,600,000 pounds (730 tonnes) of a highly toxic chemical known as ethylene dichloride . Mother Jones reported

1104-458: The Defense employees, military Retirees, Department of Defense contractors, and civilians from the local community in the classroom, distance learning, and online environments. Civilian students coming to the post for classes are required to use the main entrance located off U.S. Highway 171 . Central Michigan University (CMU) operates a campus at Fort Johnson. Central Texas College (CTC)

1150-457: The Smart plantation still stands, where the city has grown up around it. It is located at what today is the corner of Lula and First streets. Folklore accounts of the naming of the parish are: 1) that it was named after a race horse owned by Joe Moore, one of the members of the committee chosen to name the parish, who claimed that by naming the parish after his fast horse the committee would insure

1196-662: The academic year. All courses are offered during the evenings and on weekends. The Vernon Parish Library operates public libraries. It operates the main library and the Dunbar Branch Library in Leesville and the Pitkin Branch Library in Pitkin . The Louisiana Army National Guard maintains a maintenance facility which services its vehicles on Fort Johnson . 3-156 IB part of 256th Tiger Brigade

1242-406: The average family size was 3.03. In the city of DeRidder, the population was spread out, with 27.1% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.3 males. The median income for a household in

1288-412: The city was $ 31,952, and the median income for a family was $ 39,384. Males had a median income of $ 36,388 versus $ 21,302 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 16,996. About 15.0% of families and 18.0% of the population were below the poverty line , including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 18.2% of those age 65 or over. Beauregard Parish School Board operates local public schools. For

1334-560: The city. As of the census of 2000, there were 9,808 people, 3,819 households, and 2,616 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,155.4 inhabitants per square mile (446.1/km ). There were 4,454 housing units at an average density of 524.7 units per square mile (202.6 units/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 60.81% White , 34.73% African American , 0.57% Native American , 1.42% Asian , 0.03% Pacific Islander , 0.57% from other races , and 1.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.40% of

1380-503: The early 21st century. In the period after World War I, Vernon Parish became the site of two socialist-based communities. The Llano del Rio Cooperative Colony developed as New Llano , established in 1917. The second was the Christian Commonwealth Colony. These colonies attempted to attract economists and sociologists to conduct an experiment in communal membership and the sharing of labor duties. Llano del Rio

1426-487: The entrance to Fort Johnson and 21 miles (34 km) to Leesville . U.S. Route 190 leads south and east 49 miles (79 km) to Kinder and west 52 miles (84 km) to Jasper, Texas . According to the United States Census Bureau , DeRidder has a total area of 9.2 square miles (23.9 km ), of which 9.2 square miles (23.7 km ) is land and 0.077 square miles (0.2 km ), or 0.96%,

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1472-475: The growth of the parish: 2) that it was named after a popular teacher who had been an officer in the Royal Navy , only mentioned as "Mr. Vernon". The decision was made to avoid disputes among the parish founders, each of whom wanted to name it after himself. 3) The final account tells that the committee had been arguing over the name while drinking in a store. Trying to preserve his precious whiskey and profits,

1518-569: The host suggested the committee stop a local man passing by on a mule-drawn cart and name the parish whatever the man said was the mule's name. The man responded, "I calls him Vernon, 'cause he's the fastes' mule in de country." In the late 1890s the timber industry, which was the dominant industry in the parish from its creation, began to boom with the construction of the Kansas City Southern Railway in 1897. It increased access to markets. The railway continues to operate in

1564-407: The nation. The facility covers approximately 200,000 acres (810 km ). It has stimulated the development of associated businesses in the area and related populations. With the regular reassignment of soldiers, accompanied by dependents, to and from the fort, Vernon Parish has a more varied culture than might be expected from its location. Its residents come from all over the country. According to

1610-482: The parish was named; the only official State version is that it was named in honor of Mt. Vernon , the home of George Washington . Leesville was designated as the parish seat of Vernon from the start. It was incorporated February 15, 1900. The city was founded by Dr. Edmund E. Smart, who donated land from his plantation for the development of the parish seat. It was named by Senator John Rowell Smart, his father, in honor of General Robert E. Lee . The Big House from

1656-528: The parish's economy. After the camp opened, the population of the parish seat of Leesville rapidly climbed from 3,500 to 18,000. Named after Leonidas Polk , the first Episcopal Bishop in Louisiana and known as the "Fighting Bishop of the Confederacy", it served as one of the major Army training camps during World War II . In the 21st century, Fort Johnson is the 5th-largest military installation in

1702-409: The population. There were 3,819 households, out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and

1748-575: The small town of Geldermalsen in the Netherlands , where she was one of 13 children. She ran away from home at an early age and was presumed dead by her family, who only later discovered that she had traveled to the United States . The town was named for her by her brother-in-law, who brought the first railroad to that area of Louisiana. Prior to that, the little town was known as Schovall. The first train line to serve DeRidder came in 1897. It

1794-420: The spill as potentially discharging between 19,000,000 and 47,000,000 pounds (8,600 and 21,300 tonnes), that would have spread throughout parts of the estuary. Sasol Ltd purchased Condea Vista in 2000 inheriting the controversy. The site was designated a "super-fund site" and Sasol has been involved in long-term legal battles that have resulted in settlements, fines, and the clean-up of affected areas. A problem

1840-407: The town consisted of nearly 300 people and a number of shack homes and a sawmill. C. Landry and Mr. George Heard had a hotel. There were about 5 small stores, besides. West Brothers had a Rous Racket store on the east side of the track." By this time DeRidder had a sawmill, and timber was the prime industry of the area. The longleaf pine was the primary tree used in the industry. In 1903, DeRidder

1886-425: The trains were running. The post-office was named Miersburg for the postmaster whose name was Miers. The railroad workers had used this spot for a camping place for the workmen - and people wanted to get near the railroad - so 160 acres (0.65 km ) of land was bought for the town site." "Immediately following the purchase of the town site, a ramble of rough houses were hurriedly built out of rough lumber... By 1898

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1932-455: Was finally incorporated as a town. In April 1904, a large portion of the business section of DeRidder was destroyed by fire. The cause was apparently arson . A grand jury collected enough evidence for this to indict George Smith, a gambler, with setting the fire. The man reportedly left town. DeRidder's first bank opened in 1906. On October 15, 1912, DeRidder was voted the parish seat of Beauregard Parish. The Beauregard Parish Court House and

1978-462: Was part of the Natchitoches , Rapides , and Sabine parishes, which were established soon after the US acquired this territory in the early nineteenth century. The timber industry was most important to the local economy, with both pines of the hills and bottomland hardwoods being harvested. Some landowners had their land cleared by slaves to establish plantations for cotton cultivation. During

2024-783: Was the Pittsburgh & Gulf Railroad, later called the Kansas City Southern . The July 26, 1924, the DeRidder Enterprise stated: "The first house in DeRidder was made of logs and covered with board shingles, split by hand from the logs of the forest. It was constructed in 1893 and was the old homestead house of Calvin Shirley, who was the original owner of the land upon which the first business house and residence of DeRidder were built. Mr. Shirley homesteaded

2070-648: Was the larger community, with more than 10,000 people, and was also the longest-surviving. Both colonies failed in the 1930s during the economic stress of the Great Depression . In 1941, the United States Army opened Camp Polk , shortly after the outbreak of war in Europe, with the German invasion of Poland and other actions. Camp Polk quickly surpassed the timber industry as the dominant force in

2116-724: Was used until 1982, when a court action forced it to close. On October 4, 1981, it was put on the National Register of Historic Places , along with several other buildings in DeRidder. In 1983 Washington, Second, Stewart, and Port streets were added to the National Register of Historic Places listings in Beauregard Parish as the DeRidder Commercial Historic District . As of the 2020 United States census , there were 9,852 people, 3,838 households, and 2,510 families residing in

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