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Louisiana State...
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Louisiana Parishes
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Louisiana Parishes
Louisiana is divided into 64 parishes in the same way that 48 of the other states of the United
States are divided into counties (Alaska is divided into boroughs and census areas).
On March 31, 1807, the territorial legislature divided the state into 19 parishes, without getting rid of the
old counties (which continued to exist until 1845).
In 1811, a
constitutional convention organized the state into seven judicial districts, each consisting of groups of
parishes. In 1816, the first official map of the state used the term, as did the 1845 constitution. Since then,
the official term has been parishes. |
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Rapides Parish, Louisiana
Rapides Parish History, Geography, Demographics, Cities and Towns, and Education
County Seat: Alexandria
Year Organized: 1807
Square Miles: 1,323
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Court House: P.O. Box 1150
Parish Courthouse
Alexandria, LA 71309-1150
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Etymology - Origin of Parish Name
Rapides Parish was named for the rapids in Red River, during French rule and the subsequent seat of
government for this area at that time, the Post of Rapide.
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: Census Bureau Quick
Facts
History
Rapides Parish was created on March 31, 1807. It is one of the 19 parishes, which were created by dividing the
Territory of New Orleans. Rapides Parish was named for the rapids in Red River, during French rule and the subsequent
seat of government for this area at that time, the Post of Rapide. (during Spanish rule, it was El Rapido) Rapids in the
French language is Rapide, which is already pluralized. The "s" was added after the American Government took over in
1803 and has remained ever since. The Parish seat is Alexandria.
Rapides Parish Courthouse - 1939
Its first courthouse was built in 1820 though little is known about it because federal troops burned down almost
the entire town of Alexandria in 1864 and most of the parish records where lost. The present courthouse was
constructed in 1939 with various alterations and additions completed in 1976.
Neighboring Parishes:
- North: Grant Parish
- Northeast: La Salle Parish
- Southeast: Avoyelles Parish
- South: Evangeline Parish
- Southwest: Allen Parish
- West: Vernon Parish
- Northwest: Natchitoches Parish
Cities and Towns:
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- Alexandria
(County
Seat) |
city |
Incorporated Area |
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- Ball |
town |
Incorporated Area |
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- Boyce |
town |
Incorporated Area |
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- Cheneyville |
town |
Incorporated Area |
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- Forest Hill |
village |
Incorporated Area |
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- Glenmora |
town |
Incorporated Area |
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- Lecompte |
town |
Incorporated Area |
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- McNary |
village |
Incorporated Area |
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- Pineville |
city |
Incorporated Area |
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- Woodworth |
town |
Incorporated Area |
Parish Resources:
Enter County Resources and Information Here
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County Resource Guide
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The history of our nation can be seen as a prolonged struggle to define the relative roles and powers of our governments: federal, state, and local. And the names we've given our counties, our most locally based jurisdictions, reflects the "characteristic
features of our country!"
But age, size and colorful names of our counties isn't the only reason to explore counties' role in American history, or the history of county government itself. In fact, the story of county government reflects the larger meanings of American history.
Today's counties are the most flexible, locally responsive and creative governments in the US. They are the most diverse, varying in size, population, geography, and governmental structure. In their politics and policies, they express a 1990's political slogan "Think globally,
act locally." |
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