Washington Parish, Louisiana
Encyclopedia
Washington Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state
of Louisiana
. Its parish seat is Franklinton
. In 2000, its population was 43,926.
Washington Parish is part of the Bogalusa
Micropolitan Statistical Area as well as the New Orleans
–Metairie
–Bogalusa Combined Statistical Area
.
became the parish seat on February 10, 1821. Washington Parish is the most northeasterly of what are called the Florida Parishes
, for it was prior to 1821 a legal part of Spanish
West Florida
.
There are two articles about the history of Washington Parish:
There is also a book which is online, "Bogalusa Story" by C. W. Goodyear.
In 1906, The Great Southern Lumber Company
started a sawmill in Bogalusa. It was the first to introduce reforestation in order to sustain the timber industry locally. It later started a paper mill and other related businesses in the area.
The Great Southern Lumber Company was bought several times and is now called Temple-Inland Corporation which is the largest employer in the parish.
of 2000, there were 43,926 people, 16,467 households, and 11,642 families residing in the parish. The population density
was 66 people per square mile (25/km²). There were 19,106 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the parish was 67.42% White
, 31.53% Black
or African American
, 0.23% Native American
, 0.17% Asian
, 0.11% from other races
, and 0.54% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 16,467 households out of which 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.30% were married couples
living together, 17.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the parish the population was spread out with 26.80% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.
The median income for a household in the parish was $24,264, and the median income for a family was $29,480. Males had a median income of $27,964 versus $17,709 for females. The per capita income
for the parish was $12,915. About 19.40% of families and 24.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.20% of those under age 18 and 20.40% of those age 65 or over.
Students within the city of Bogalusa attend Bogalusa City Schools.
Louisiana Technical College - Sullivan Campus is located in Bogalusa.
Geology
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...
. Its parish seat is Franklinton
Franklinton, Louisiana
Franklinton is a town in and the parish seat of Washington Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 3,657 at the 2000 census. It is an average of above sea level....
. In 2000, its population was 43,926.
Washington Parish is part of the Bogalusa
Bogalusa, Louisiana
Bogalusa is a city in Washington Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 13,365 at the 2000 census. It is the principal city of the Bogalusa Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Washington Parish and is also part of the larger New Orleans–Metairie–Bogalusa...
Micropolitan Statistical Area as well as the New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
–Metairie
Metairie, Louisiana
Metairie is a census-designated place in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States and is a major part of the New Orleans Metropolitan Area. Metairie is the largest community in Jefferson Parish. It is an unincorporated area that would be larger than most of the state's cities if it were...
–Bogalusa Combined Statistical Area
New Orleans-Metairie-Bogalusa combined statistical area
The New Orleans–Metairie–Bogalusa Combined Statistical Area is made up of eight parishes in southeastern Louisiana. The statistical area consists of the New Orleans Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Bogalusa Micropolitan Statistical Area...
.
History
Washington Parish was formed in 1819 by splitting off from St. Tammany Parish. FranklintonFranklinton, Louisiana
Franklinton is a town in and the parish seat of Washington Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 3,657 at the 2000 census. It is an average of above sea level....
became the parish seat on February 10, 1821. Washington Parish is the most northeasterly of what are called the Florida Parishes
Florida Parishes
The Florida Parishes , also known as the North Shore region, are eight parishes in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Louisiana, which were part of West Florida in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Unlike much of Louisiana, this region was not part of the Louisiana Purchase, as it had been...
, for it was prior to 1821 a legal part of Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
West Florida
West Florida
West Florida was a region on the north shore of the Gulf of Mexico, which underwent several boundary and sovereignty changes during its history. West Florida was first established in 1763 by the British government; as its name suggests it largely consisted of the western portion of the region...
.
There are two articles about the history of Washington Parish:
- "Washington Parish, Louisiana" by Janice M. Berfield, 1968
- "History of Washington Parish" by Hon. Prentiss B. Carter
There is also a book which is online, "Bogalusa Story" by C. W. Goodyear.
Law and government
The Washington Parish Government is a Home Rule Charter or “President-Council” form of Government. Its current President is Richard N. Thomas, Jr.Geography
The parish has a total area of 676 square miles (1,750.8 km²), of which, 670 square miles (1,735.3 km²) of it is land and 6 square miles (15.5 km²) of it (0.95%) is water.Major highways
Louisiana Highway 10Louisiana Highway 10Louisiana Highway 10 is a state highway in south-central Louisiana. It runs from west to east for . The western terminus is at the intersection of U.S. Route 171 in Pickering, Louisiana in Vernon Parish near Fort Polk and the eastern terminus is in Bogalusa at Pearl River and the Louisiana line...
Louisiana Highway 16Louisiana Highway 16Louisiana Highway 16 is a state highway in Louisiana. It runs from west to east for .-Route description:From the east, LA 16 begins in Sun at a junction with LA 21 and heads west northwest into Washington Parish. At an intersection with LA 60, LA 16 turns north-northwest towards Franklinton, where...
Louisiana Highway 21Louisiana Highway 21Louisiana Highway 21 is a state highway in Louisiana that serves St. Tammany and Washington Parishes. It spans and is bannered north/south.-Route description:...
Louisiana Highway 25Louisiana Highway 25Louisiana Highway 25 is a state highway in Louisiana, USA, that serves Saint Tammany and Washington Parishes. It spans and is bannered north/south.-Route description:...
Adjacent counties and parishes
- Pike CountyPike County, Mississippi-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 38,940 people, 14,792 households, and 10,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 95 people per square mile . There were 16,720 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile...
, MississippiMississippiMississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
(northwest) - Walthall CountyWalthall County, Mississippi-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 15,156 people, 5,571 households, and 4,111 families residing in the county. The population density was 38 people per square mile . There were 6,418 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile...
, MississippiMississippiMississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
(north) - Marion CountyMarion County, Mississippi-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 25,595 people, 9,336 households, and 6,880 families residing in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile . There were 10,395 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile...
, MississippiMississippiMississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
(northeast) - Pearl River CountyPearl River County, Mississippi-National protected areas:*Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge *De Soto National Forest -Demographics:The census estimates of 2006 place the county population over 57,000 and place it among the 10 fastest growing counties in the U.S. As of the census of 2000, there were 48,621 people, 18,078...
, MississippiMississippiMississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
(east) - St. Tammany ParishSt. Tammany Parish, LouisianaSt. Tammany Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana, in the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area. The parish seat is Covington....
(south) - Tangipahoa ParishTangipahoa Parish, LouisianaTangipahoa Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana, one of the Florida Parishes. The parish seat is Amite City, but the major city is Hammond. As of 2006, the population was 113,137...
(west)
Economy
Washington Parish is currently known for its agriculture, particularly watermelons, as well as its timber and paper industry.In 1906, The Great Southern Lumber Company
Great Southern Lumber Company
In 1906, the Great Southern Lumber Company was founded in Bogalusa, Washington Parish, Louisiana by Frank Henry Goodyear and Charles Waterhouse Goodyear, and others investors mostly from Buffalo, New York area....
started a sawmill in Bogalusa. It was the first to introduce reforestation in order to sustain the timber industry locally. It later started a paper mill and other related businesses in the area.
The Great Southern Lumber Company was bought several times and is now called Temple-Inland Corporation which is the largest employer in the parish.
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 43,926 people, 16,467 households, and 11,642 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 66 people per square mile (25/km²). There were 19,106 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the parish was 67.42% 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...
, 31.53% 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...
, 0.23% 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...
, 0.17% 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...
, 0.11% 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 0.54% 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 16,467 households out of which 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.30% 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, 17.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the parish the population was spread out with 26.80% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.
The median income for a household in the parish was $24,264, and the median income for a family was $29,480. Males had a median income of $27,964 versus $17,709 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 $12,915. About 19.40% of families and 24.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.20% of those under age 18 and 20.40% of those age 65 or over.
National Guard
Bogalusa is home to the headquarters of the 205th Engineer Battalion of the 225th Engineer Brigade.Cities towns, and places
|
Franklinton, Louisiana Franklinton is a town in and the parish seat of Washington Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 3,657 at the 2000 census. It is an average of above sea level.... Varnado, Louisiana Varnado is a village in Washington Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 342 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bogalusa Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Varnado is located at .... |
Education
Students outside of the city of Bogalusa attend Washington Parish School System.Students within the city of Bogalusa attend Bogalusa City Schools.
Louisiana Technical College - Sullivan Campus is located in Bogalusa.
Notable natives and residents
- Henry "Tank" PowellHenry "Tank" PowellHenry Watson Powell, known as Henry "Tank" Powell , is an insurance agent in Ponchatoula in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, who served as a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 73 from 1996 until term-limited in 2008...
(born 1945), state representative from Tangipahoa Parish from 1996–2008; member of the Louisiana Board of Pardons since 2008 - B.B. "Benny" Rayburn, Jr.Benny RayburnBenjamin Burras Rayburn, Jr., known as Benny Rayburn , was the Democratic sheriff of Washington Parish, the easternmost of the Florida Parishes of southeastern Louisiana, who served from 1981-1992. He was the only son of legendary Louisiana State Senator B.B. "Sixty" Rayburn, Sr...
(1944–2006), served as a Washington Parish sheriff. - B.B. "Sixty" Rayburn, Sr.Sixty RayburnBenjamin Burras Rayburn, Sr., known as B. B. "Sixty" Rayburn , was a veteran politician from Bogalusa, an incorporated city in Washington Parish in southeastern Louisiana in the United States...
(1916–2008), lawmaker. - Lawrence A. "Buster" SheridanLawrence A. SheridanLawrence A. Sheridan, known as Buster Sheridan , was from 1960-1988 a Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from the village of Angie in Washington Parish, the most easterly of the Florida Parishes of southeastern Louisiana...
, member of the Louisiana House of RepresentativeLouisiana State LegislatureThe 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 1960–1988 - Jerry Aroe ThomasJerry Thomas (Louisiana politician)Jerry Aroe Thomas is a family practice physician in Franklinton, Louisiana, who served in both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature from 1988 to 2004. In 1979, at the age of twenty-six, Thomas was elected coroner of Washington Parish, the easternmost of the Florida Parishes in the...
(born 1953), Franklinton physicianPhysicianA physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
, former Washington Parish coronerCoronerA coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
, and a member of both houses of the Louisiana State LegislatureLouisiana State LegislatureThe 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 1988-2004. - Tom ThornhillTom ThornhillThomas Wood Thornhill, known as Tom Thornhill is an attorney from Slidell in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, who served as the District 76 Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for a single term from 1996–2000....
(born 1952), SlidellSlidell, LouisianaSlidell is a city situated on the northeast shore of Lake Pontchartrain in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 25,695 at the 2000 census. The Greater Slidell Community has a population of about 90,000...
trial lawyer and former state representative from St. Tammany ParishSt. Tammany Parish, LouisianaSt. Tammany Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana, in the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area. The parish seat is Covington.... - Colbie Robertson (born 1989), student at Mississippi CollegeMississippi CollegeMississippi College, also known as MC, is a private, Christian university located in Clinton, Mississippi. Mississippi College comprises the main campus in Clinton, as well as satellite campuses in Brandon and Madison, Mississippi, and the Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson...
, former Washington Parish Fair Queen, and Member of the Power TrioPower trioA power trio is a rock and roll band format where the traditional power trio has a lineup of guitar, bass and drums, leaving out the rhythm guitar or keyboard that are used in other rock music to fill out the sound with chords...
.
Corrections
Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections operates the B.B. "Sixty" Rayburn Correctional Center in an unincorporated section of Washington Parish.See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington Parish, LouisianaNational Register of Historic Places listings in Washington Parish, LouisianaThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington Parish, Louisiana.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties on the National Register of Historic Places in Washington Parish, Louisiana, United States...
External links
- Washington Parish Government
- Washington Parish Assessor
- Washington Parish Clerk of Court
- Washington Parish Free Fair
- Washington Parish School System
- Washington Parish Sheriff's Office
- Washington Parish Tourism Bureau
- Washington Economic Development Foundation
- D. A. Varnado Store Museum
- Bogalusa Daily News
- "Bogalusa Story" by C. W. Goodyear
- Explore the History and Culture of Southeastern Louisiana, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary
- Article by Robert Higgs LAGenWeb Washington Parish History Washington Parish Louisiana Wikispace
- Bogalusa, Washington Parish, Louisiana: History, Links, Maps, and Photos
- Some Photos of Hurricane Katrina Damage
Geology
- Heinrich, P. V., R. P. McCulloh, and J. Snead, 2007, Bogalusa 30 x 60 minute geologic quadrangle. Louisiana Geological Survey, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.