Claiborne Parish, Louisiana
Encyclopedia
Claiborne Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state
of Louisiana
. The parish seat is Homer
and as of 2000, the population is 16,851.
The original Claiborne Parish courthouse
was located in Russellville, now a ghost town
. Later in the 19th century, the courthouse moved to Homer. John Ardis Cawthon
of Louisiana Tech University
studied several Claiborne Parish ghost towns in his book of local history, Ghost Towns Of Old Claiborne. He recalls the words of a relative, George Washington Dance, "When the courthouse moved, the glory departed. The village is now an old worn-out field."
Prominent Claiborne Parish residents include Loy F. Weaver
, a retired banker who served in the Louisiana House of Representatives
from 1976-1984.
Pinkie C. Wilkerson
represented Claiborne Parish in the state House from 1992, having defeated Kenneth Volentine
in the 1991 general election
. She served until her death in a six-vehicle accident in Bossier City
on August 1, 2000. Volentine was subsequently elected sheriff
in 1995 and 1999.
Andrew R. Johnson
(1856–1933) was a state senator from Claiborne and Bienville parishes from 1916-1924. He was previously the mayor of Homer and introduced electric light
s and water works to the community.
Kenneth L. Volentine
of Athens is a former member of the Louisiana House, with service from 1988-1992, and sheriff
of Claiborne Parish from 1996-2004.
Danny Roy Moore
of Homer and later Arcadia
in Bienville Parish is a former member of the Louisiana State Senate, with service from 1964-1968.
T. H. Harris
, pioneer educator and state education superintendent from 1908–1940, was born in the Arizona community in Claiborne Parish in 1869, the son of a Baptist minister.
of 2000, there were 16,851 people, 6,270 households, and 4,338 families residing in the parish. The population density
was 22 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 7,815 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the parish was 51.80% White
, 47.37% Black
or African American
, 0.14% Native American
, 0.10% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 0.08% from other races
, and 0.48% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 6,270 households out of which 29.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.10% were married couples
living together, 17.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 28.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.80% 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 3.07.
In the parish the population was spread out with 25.60% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.40 males.
The median income for a household in the parish was $25,344, and the median income for a family was $32,225. Males had a median income of $29,161 versus $20,102 for females. The per capita income
for the parish was $13,825. About 21.40% of families and 26.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.30% of those under age 18 and 23.20% of those age 65 or over.
Villages:
Unincorporated areas:
serves the parish.
Claiborne Academy
is a private institution in an unincorporated area
in the parish, near Haynesville
.
in an unincorporated section
of Claiborne Parish near Homer
and Haynesville
.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. The parish seat is Homer
Homer, Louisiana
Homer is present day parish seat of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, United States. The town was named after the Greek poet Homer and was laid out around the Courthouse Square in 1850 by Frank Vaughn. The present day brick courthouse, built in the Greek Revival style of architecture, is one of only...
and as of 2000, the population is 16,851.
History
The parish is named for the first Louisiana governor, William C. C. Claiborne.The original Claiborne Parish courthouse
Courthouse
A courthouse is a building that is home to a local court of law and often the regional county government as well, although this is not the case in some larger cities. The term is common in North America. In most other English speaking countries, buildings which house courts of law are simply...
was located in Russellville, now a ghost town
Ghost town
A ghost town is an abandoned town or city. A town often becomes a ghost town because the economic activity that supported it has failed, or due to natural or human-caused disasters such as floods, government actions, uncontrolled lawlessness, war, or nuclear disasters...
. Later in the 19th century, the courthouse moved to Homer. John Ardis Cawthon
John Ardis Cawthon
John Ardis Cawthon was an educator and regional historian from Ruston in Lincoln Parish in north Louisiana, who was affiliated with Louisiana Tech University from 1939–1940, 1948, and from January 12, 1954, until retirement on May 31, 1972...
of Louisiana Tech University
Louisiana Tech University
Louisiana Tech University, often referred to as Louisiana Tech, LA Tech, or Tech, is a coeducational public research university located in Ruston, Louisiana. Louisiana Tech is designated as a Tier 1 school in the national universities category by the 2012 U.S. News & World Report college rankings...
studied several Claiborne Parish ghost towns in his book of local history, Ghost Towns Of Old Claiborne. He recalls the words of a relative, George Washington Dance, "When the courthouse moved, the glory departed. The village is now an old worn-out field."
Prominent Claiborne Parish residents include Loy F. Weaver
Loy F. Weaver
Loy Frank Weaver is a retired banker from Homer, the seat of Claiborne Parish in north Louisiana, who served as a Democrat in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1976-1984...
, a retired banker who served in the Louisiana House of Representatives
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
from 1976-1984.
Pinkie C. Wilkerson
Pinkie C. Wilkerson
Pinkie Carolyn Wilkerson was an African American member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from her native Grambling, west of Ruston, Louisiana, who served from 1992 until her death in a six-vehicle traffic accident on Interstate 20 in Bossier City, Louisiana. Wilkerson was particularly...
represented Claiborne Parish in the state House from 1992, having defeated Kenneth Volentine
Kenneth Volentine
Kenneth Lee Volentine is a livestock and dairy farmer who previously served as a state representative and sheriff of his native Claiborne Parish in north Louisiana.-Background:...
in the 1991 general election
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
. She served until her death in a six-vehicle accident in Bossier City
Bossier City, Louisiana
Bossier City is a city in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, United States.As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of 61,315. Bossier City is closely tied to its larger sister city Shreveport, located on the western bank of the Red River. The Shreveport-Bossier City metropolitan area is the...
on August 1, 2000. Volentine was subsequently elected sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
in 1995 and 1999.
Andrew R. Johnson
A.R. Johnson (Louisiana politician)
Andrew R. Johnson, known as A.R. Johnson , was a Democratic member of the Louisiana State Senate, who represented District 24 from 1916 to 1924....
(1856–1933) was a state senator from Claiborne and Bienville parishes from 1916-1924. He was previously the mayor of Homer and introduced electric light
Electric light
Electric lights are a convenient and economic form of artificial lighting which provide increased comfort, safety and efficiency. Most electric lighting is powered by centrally-generated electric power, but lighting may also be powered by mobile or standby electric generators or battery systems...
s and water works to the community.
Kenneth L. Volentine
Kenneth Volentine
Kenneth Lee Volentine is a livestock and dairy farmer who previously served as a state representative and sheriff of his native Claiborne Parish in north Louisiana.-Background:...
of Athens is a former member of the Louisiana House, with service from 1988-1992, and sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
of Claiborne Parish from 1996-2004.
Danny Roy Moore
Danny Roy Moore
Danny Roy Moore is a civil engineer and land surveyor in Arcadia, Louisiana, who served as a conservative Democrat in the Louisiana State Senate from 1964 until 1968...
of Homer and later Arcadia
Arcadia, Louisiana
Arcadia is a town in and the parish seat of Bienville Parish in north Louisiana, United States. The population was 3,041 at the 2000 census....
in Bienville Parish is a former member of the Louisiana State Senate, with service from 1964-1968.
T. H. Harris
T. H. Harris
Thomas H Harris was the dominant figure in Louisiana public education in the first half of the 20th century through his role as the state school superintendent from 1908-1940.-Early years and education:...
, pioneer educator and state education superintendent from 1908–1940, was born in the Arizona community in Claiborne Parish in 1869, the son of a Baptist minister.
Geography
The parish has a total area of 768 square miles (1,989.1 km²), of which 755 square miles (1,955.4 km²) is land and 13 square miles (33.7 km²) (1.68%) is water.Major highways
U.S. Highway 79
Louisiana Highway 2Louisiana Highway 2Louisiana Highway 2 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Louisiana. It runs in a west to east direction, beginning at State Highway 49 and ending at an intersection with U.S. Highway 65 in East Carroll Parish...
Louisiana Highway 9Louisiana Highway 9Louisiana Highway 9 is a state highway that serves Natchitoches Parish, Bienville Parish, and Claiborne Parish in north Louisiana. It spans , running a north–south route.-Route description:...
Adjacent parishes
- Columbia CountyColumbia County, ArkansasColumbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population was 24,552. The county seat is Magnolia. Columbia County was formed on December 17, 1852, and was named for Christopher Columbus...
, ArkansasArkansasArkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
(northwest) - Union County, ArkansasArkansasArkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
(northeast) - Union ParishUnion Parish, LouisianaUnion Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Farmerville....
(east) - Lincoln ParishLincoln Parish, LouisianaLincoln Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Ruston. In 2004, its population was estimated to be 42,382...
(southeast) - Bienville ParishBienville Parish, LouisianaBienville Parish is a parish located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Arcadia and as of the 2000 census, the population is 15,752....
(south) - Webster ParishWebster Parish, LouisianaWebster Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The seat of the parish is Minden. In 2010, its population was 41,207....
(west)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 16,851 people, 6,270 households, and 4,338 families residing in the parish. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 22 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 7,815 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the parish was 51.80% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 47.37% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.14% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.10% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.08% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.48% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 6,270 households out of which 29.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.10% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 17.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 28.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.80% 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 3.07.
In the parish the population was spread out with 25.60% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.40 males.
The median income for a household in the parish was $25,344, and the median income for a family was $32,225. Males had a median income of $29,161 versus $20,102 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the parish was $13,825. About 21.40% of families and 26.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.30% of those under age 18 and 23.20% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Towns:- HaynesvilleHaynesville, LouisianaHaynesville is a town in northern Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, United States, located just south of the Arkansas border. The population was 2,679 at the 2000 census....
- HomerHomer, LouisianaHomer is present day parish seat of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, United States. The town was named after the Greek poet Homer and was laid out around the Courthouse Square in 1850 by Frank Vaughn. The present day brick courthouse, built in the Greek Revival style of architecture, is one of only...
Villages:
- AthensAthens, LouisianaAthens is a village in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 262 at the 2000 census.The Pilgrim's Pride poultry hatchery in Athens was designated for closure early in 2009, along with other company businesses in nearby Arcadia in Bienville Parish, Choudrant in Lincoln...
- LisbonLisbon, LouisianaLisbon is a village in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 162 at the 2000 census. Lisbon is located east of the parish seat of Homer....
- Junction CityJunction City, LouisianaJunction City is a village in Claiborne and Union parishes in Louisiana, and is the twin city of neighboring Junction City, Arkansas. The population was 652 at the 2000 census....
Unincorporated areas:
- SummerfieldSummerfield, LouisianaSummerfield is an unincorporated area in northeast Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is located sixteen miles east of the parish seat of Homer....
- Lake Claiborne
- The former Arizona community
- The former Russellville community
Education
Claiborne Parish School BoardClaiborne Parish School Board
Claiborne Parish School Board is a school district headquartered in Homer, Louisiana, United States.The district serves all of Claiborne Parish.-PreK-12 schools:* Athens High School Claiborne Parish School Board is a school district headquartered in Homer, Louisiana, United States.The district...
serves the parish.
Claiborne Academy
Claiborne Academy
Claiborne Academy is a private, non-profit, pre-kindergarten through 12th grade school located in unincorporated Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, near Haynesville...
is a private institution in an unincorporated area
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in the parish, near Haynesville
Haynesville, Louisiana
Haynesville is a town in northern Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, United States, located just south of the Arkansas border. The population was 2,679 at the 2000 census....
.
Government and infrastructure
Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections operates the David Wade Correctional CenterDavid Wade Correctional Center
David Wade Correctional Center is a Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections prison in unincorporated Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, near Homer and Haynesville. The prison is located near the Louisiana-Arkansas border....
in an unincorporated section
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
of Claiborne Parish near Homer
Homer, Louisiana
Homer is present day parish seat of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, United States. The town was named after the Greek poet Homer and was laid out around the Courthouse Square in 1850 by Frank Vaughn. The present day brick courthouse, built in the Greek Revival style of architecture, is one of only...
and Haynesville
Haynesville, Louisiana
Haynesville is a town in northern Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, United States, located just south of the Arkansas border. The population was 2,679 at the 2000 census....
.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Claiborn Parish, Louisiana