Trekker History: Vernon Parish

Vernon Parish, established 1871, was named after Mt. Vernon, the home of George Washington

Logging and lumber products were main economy until 1941 when Camp Polk was opened. The Kansas City Southern Railway made it to Leesville in 1897. The original train depot is now the Museum of West Louisiana.

Fort Polk is the 5th largest military installation in the country. The base was named for Leonidas Polk the first Episcopal Bishop in Louisiana. He was known as the “Fighting Bishop of the Confederacy.”

There are six incorporated cities in Vernon Parish: Leesville, New Llano, Hornbeck, Simpson, Anacoco, and Rosepine.

Leesville, which was named for Confederate War Hero, Robert E. Lee, is the parish seat. Leesville was once known as “No man’s land”.

Burr Ferry was named for a local doctor and is known as the “Gateway to Louisiana” as it is near the Texas border. During the Civil War the Confederates set up an artillery site in Burr Ferry.

Source: Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce website.

Tamales! Tamales! Tamales!

In Louisiana food is not just for nourishment; it's art, history, heritage, culture, and flavor all rolled together. Each community has special dishes which tie the present to the past. Zwolle is known for their great tasting tamales.

The Zwolle Tamale Fiesta which is a celebration of Spanish and Native American Heritage will be held Thursday, October 9th through Saturday, October 12th at the Festival Grounds in Zwolle.

The festival features a tamale making demonstration, tamale eating contest, treasure hunt, street dance, arts and crafts, and a parade. Other activities include pageants, arm wrestling contests, Spanish costume contests, rides, food, and the Fiesta Mud Bog for trucks.

For more information: 800-358-7802.

It's Cotton picking and ginning time at Frogmore Cotton Plantation and Gins

I received this information from Frogmore Cotton Plantation & Gins located in Frogmore, Louisiana. A visit to Frogmore Plantation offers and educational experience as one can explore this area's rich agricultural and industrial history. According to the Frogmore Plantation website, there is no other tour of this kind offered in the South.

Cotton picking and ginning begins in mid-September through October. Frogmore Plantation was selected by Rand McNally as a “MUST SEE SITE.” Contrast 1800's historical methods with computerized, technical methods of today. Home to the only completely computerized gin in U.S. Rare, historical steam cotton gin, slave cabins, plantation store, and out buildings.

Frogmore Plantation, which is named for Frogmore, England, is located 20 minutes west of Vidalia/Natchez on U.S. Hwy. 84. 45 minutes east of Pineville, Louisiana - take La. 28 to U.S. 84 East.

Fall Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. -3 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (arrive 1 ½ hours prior to closing) Admission $12 adults, $5 students 6–18 yrs. There are several historic tours available. The gift shop is full of local flavors, historical books, jewelry and other items depicting cotton and a variety of souvenirs. For more information call 318-757-2453.