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Louisiana Parishes
 Click Image to Enlarge Louisiana ParishesLouisiana 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. |
Rapides Parish, LouisianaRapides Parish History, Geography, Demographics, Cities and Towns, and Education
Etymology - Origin of Parish NameRapides 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 County HistoryRapides 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 - 1939Its 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:
Cities and Towns:
Parish Resources:Enter County Resources and Information Here |
County Resources
The history of our nation was a prolonged struggle to define
the relative roles and powers of our governments: federal, state, and local.
And the names given the counties, our most locally based jurisdictions,
reflects the "characteristic features of this 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." |
