Natchitoches, Louisiana

{{distinguish|Nacogdoches, Texas}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name                            = Natchitoches
| native_name                     = <!-- if different from the English name -->
| native_name_lang                = <!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "fr" for French. If more than one, use {{lang}} instead -->
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| settlement_type                 = [[List of municipalities in Louisiana|City]]
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| image_skyline                   = Exchange Bank Main Office.jpg
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| image_caption                   = Exchange Bank in Downtown Natchitoches
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| nickname                        = The Destination of Travelers since 1714
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| anthem                          = <!-- maps and coordinates ------>
| image_map                       = File:Natchitoches Parish Louisiana Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Natchitoches Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                         = 
| map_alt                         = 
| map_caption                     = Location of Natchitoches in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
| image_map1                      = 
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| pushpin_map                     = Louisiana#USA
| pushpin_label                   = Natchitoches
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| coordinates                     = {{coord|31|41|35|N|93|05|42|W|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
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<!-- location ------------------>
| subdivision_type                = Country
| subdivision_name                = [[United States]]
| subdivision_type1               = State
| subdivision_name1               = [[Louisiana]]
| subdivision_type2               = Parish
| subdivision_name2               = [[Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana|Natchitoches]]
<!-- established --------------->
| established_title               = Settled
| established_date                = {{Start date and age|1714|p=fy}}
| established_title1              = Incorporated as a town
| established_date1               = {{Start date and age|1819|2|5|p=fy}}
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| government_type                 = Mayor-Council
| governing_body                  = City Council
| leader_party                    = 
| leader_title                    = Mayor
| leader_name                     = Ronnie Williams, Jr.
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| unit_pref                       = Imperial
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<!-- area ---------------------->| area_footnotes                  = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_22.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 20, 2022}}</ref>
<!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->| area_magnitude                  = <!-- use only to set a special wikilink -->
| area_total_km2                  = 68.07
<!-- ALL fields with measurements have automatic unit conversion -->| area_total_sq_mi                = 26.28
<!-- see table @ Template:Infobox settlement for details -->| area_total_dunam                = <!-- used in Middle East articles only -->
| area_land_km2                   = 58.77
| area_land_sq_mi                 = 22.69
| area_water_km2                  = 9.31
| area_water_sq_mi                = 3.59
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| elevation_min_ft                = <!-- population ---------------->
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| population_total                = 18039
| population_as_of                = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_rank                 = 
| population_density_km2          = 306.97
<!-- for automatic calculation of any density field, use: auto -->| population_density_sq_mi        = 795.05
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| timezone1                       = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset1 = −6
| timezone1_DST                   = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset1_DST = −5
| postal_code_type                = ZIP code
| postal_code                     = 71457
| postal2_code_type               = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... -->
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| area_code_type                  = Area code
| area_code                       = [[Area code 318|318]]
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| blank_name_sec1                 = Interstate
| blank_info_sec1                 = [[File:I-49.svg|30px|link=Interstate 49]]
| blank1_name_sec1                = Louisiana Highways
| blank1_info_sec1                = [[File:Louisiana 1.svg|30px|link=Louisiana Highway 1]] [[File:Louisiana 6.svg|30px|link=Louisiana Highway 6]]
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<!-- website, footnotes -------->
| website                         = [http://www.natchitochesla.gov/ City of Natchitoches]
| footnotes                       = 
| pop_est_footnotes               = 
| blank_name                      = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info                      = 22-53545
}}

[[Image:Natchitoches, LA, City Hall IMG 1972.JPG|thumb|right|Natchitoches City Hall]]
[[File:A store with live fish for sale. Vicinity of Natchitoches, Louisiana, July 1940.jpg|thumb|right|A store with live fish for sale near Natchitoches, 1940. Photo by [[Marion Post Wolcott]].]]

'''Natchitoches''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|n|æ|k|ə|t|ə|ʃ}} {{Respell|NAK|ə|təsh}};<ref>{{cite news|title=Natchitoches native makes Company's 'Steel Magnolias' bloom with authenticity|last=Dorman|first=Jim|date=February 4, 2020|work=The Patriot Ledger|location=Worcester, Massachusetts|url=https://www.patriotledger.com/entertainmentlife/20200204/theater-natchitoches-native-makes-companys-steel-magnolias-bloom-with-authenticity}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Natchi — What's It Now? A Local Sets Us Straight|date=January 23, 2014|last=Block|first=Melissa|work=All Things Considered|url=
https://www.npr.org/2014/01/23/265358227/natchi-whats-it-now-a-tour-guide-sets-us-straight|access-date=March 21, 2021}}</ref> {{lang-fr|link=no|Les Natchitoches}}, {{IPA-fr|le nakitɔʃ|}}), officially the '''City of Natchitoches''', is a small city and the [[parish seat]] of [[Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana|Natchitoches Parish]], [[Louisiana]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=7 June 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> At the 2020 United States Census, the city's population was 18,039. Established in 1714 by [[Louis Juchereau de St. Denis]] as part of [[Louisiana (New France)|French Louisiana]], the community was named after the indigenous [[Natchitoches people]].

The City of Natchitoches was incorporated on February 5, 1819, after Louisiana had become a state in 1812. It is the oldest permanent settlement in the land acquired by the [[Louisiana Purchase]]. Natchitoches is home to [[Northwestern State University]]. Its sister city is  [[Nacogdoches, Texas]].

==History==
===Early years===
Natchitoches was established in 1714 by [[French Canadian|Canadien]] explorer [[Louis Juchereau de St. Denis]]. It is the oldest permanent European settlement within the borders of the 1803 [[Louisiana Purchase]].<ref>{{cite web|title = City of Natchitoches|url = http://www.natchitochesla.gov/|website = natchitochesla.gov|access-date = 16 January 2016}}</ref> Natchitoches was founded as a French outpost on the [[Red River of the South|Red River]] for trade with Spanish-controlled [[Mexico]]; French traders settled there as early as 1699. The post was established near a village of [[Natchitoches (tribe)|Natchitoches Indians]], after whom the city was named. Early settlers were French Catholic immigrants and creoles (originally meaning those ethnic French born in the colony). French creoles acquired lands that were developed in the antebellum years as cotton-producing [[Magnolia Plantation (Derry, Louisiana)|Magnolia Plantation]] and [[Oakland Plantation (Natchitoches, Louisiana)|Oakland Plantation]]. Each has been preserved and is designated as a [[National Historic Landmark]].

After the United States' [[Louisiana Purchase]] of 1803, migration into the territory increased from the US. Natchitoches grew along with the population in the parish. Initially, the Americans were primarily of English and Scots-Irish ancestry and of Protestant faith. They developed several cotton [[plantations in the American South|plantation]]s along the Red River. Numerous enslaved African Americans were brought to the area through the domestic slave trade to work the cotton, and provide all other skills on these plantations, generating the revenues for the wealthy planters before the Civil War.

The United States Government established a [[United States Government Fur Trade Factory System|federal fur trade factory]] here in 1805. It was removed to [[Sulphur Fork Factory, Arkansas|Sulphur Fork, Arkansas]] in 1818.<ref>Wesley, Edgar Bruce (1935). ''Guarding the frontier.'' The University of Minnesota Press, p. 40.</ref>

In the 1820s and early 1830s, Natchitoches also served as a freight transfer point for cotton shipped from parts of east [[Texas]]. Cotton shippers used a land route crossing the [[Sabine River (Texas–Louisiana)|Sabine River]] to Natchitoches, where the freight was transferred to boats, and floated down the Red River to [[New Orleans]].<ref name=holbrook>{{cite news|jstor= 30236594|title=Cotton Marketing in Antebellum Texas|last=Holbrook|first=Abigail Curlee|journal= The Southwestern Historical Quarterly|year=1952|volume=73|number=4|pages=431–455}}</ref>

When the course of the Red River shifted,<!--when was that? 19th century?  --> it bypassed Natchitoches and cut off its lucrative connection with the Mississippi River. A {{convert|33|mi|km|adj=on}} [[oxbow lake]] was left in the river's previous location which became known as [[Cane River Lake]].

===Civil War===
During the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], Natchitoches was set on fire by Union soldiers who retreated through the town after their failed attempt to capture [[Shreveport, Louisiana|Shreveport]]. [[Confederate cavalry]] pursued the fleeing soldiers and arrived in time to help extinguish the flames before the town was destroyed. [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] was destroyed by Union troops in 1864, but both Union and Confederate troops were responsible for severely damaging plantations along the river during the war, including Magnolia and Oakland. 

Radford Blunt published the ''Natchitoches Republican''. He was also a candidate for the state legislature. William H. Tunnard edited the paper.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HUdVpRBKPjgC&q=%22radford+blunt%22|title = Geo. P. Rowell and Co.'s American Newspaper Directory|year = 1874}}</ref>

===20th century===
As the parish seat, Natchitoches suffered from the decline in agricultural population through the mid-20th century, and grew at a markedly lower rate after 1960. The mechanization of agriculture had reduced the number of workers needed, and many moved to cities for jobs. By the early 1970s, the town's businesses were declining, along with many area farms, and buildings were boarded up.

In the mid-1970s, Mayor [[Bobby DeBlieux]] and other preservationists believed that attracting tourists to the area, based on its historic assets of nearly intact plantations and numerous historic buildings, could be a key to attracting visitors, reviving the town, and stimulating new businesses. Over the years, he worked with a variety of landowners and local people to gain support for designating a historic district in the city. He also supported making a national park out of the working area of [[Magnolia Plantation (Derry, Louisiana)|Magnolia Plantation]], which had many surviving outbuildings from the 19th century, and from [[Oakland Plantation (Natchitoches, Louisiana)|Oakland Plantation]], both downriver in the parish.<ref name="thompson">[https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/22/us/reaping-what-was-sown-old-plantation-landowner-tells-her-family-s-truth-park.html Ginger Thompson, "Reaping What Was Sown On the Old Plantation; A Landowner Tells Her Family's Truth. A Park Ranger Wants a Broader Truth."], ''The New York Times'', June 22, 2000. Retrieved May 3, 2018</ref>

By the end of the 20th century, the mile-long French colonial area of downtown, which lies along Cane Lake, was designated as a [[National Historic Landmark District|National Historic District]]. Many buildings were adapted as antique shops, restaurants and souvenir emporiums. To accommodate tourists, the town had 32 bed-and-breakfast inns, the highest in the state.<ref name="thompson"/> By 2018, that number had increased to 50.

The plantation country surrounds Cane River Lake. The markedly intact downriver Magnolia and Oakland plantations were designated as [[National Historic Landmarks]], and are part of what has been developed as the [[Cane River Creole National Historical Park]],<ref name="thompson"/> which was authorized in 1994,<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/cari National Park Service: Official '''Cane River Creole National Historical Park''' website]</ref> with the support of US Senator [[J. Bennett Johnston]]. He was a cousin by marriage of Betty Hertzog, the last of the family to live in the great house at Magnolia.<ref name="thompson"/>

Tours and interpretive programs at both sites continue to attract visitors, especially as they grapple with telling the difficult history of slavery and its aftermath at the plantations. They also cover the contributions of blacks and [[Creoles of color]] to the community.<ref name="thompson"/> In April 2022, the city council added Juneteenth as an official city holiday.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Holdiness |first1=Timothy |title=Natchitoches adds Juneteenth as official holiday |url=https://www.ktbs.com/news/natchitoches-adds-juneteenth-as-official-holiday/article_fa654994-c595-11ec-ba36-27583a26769f.html |access-date=26 August 2023 |work=KTBS |date=26 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

Since the late 20th century, the 35-mile [[oxbow lake]] has served as the spring-break training location for numerous university [[Rowing (sport)|crew]] teams,<ref name="lake"/> from universities such as the [[University of St. Thomas (Minnesota)|University of St. Thomas]], [[Kansas State University]], [[University of Kansas]], [[Wichita State University]], [[Murray State University]], [[University of Central Oklahoma]], and [[Washington University in St. Louis]], as well as [[Northwestern State University]]. In the spring of 2018, LSU, Alabama, Texas and Georgia were also represented. Tourists interested in sports often visit in this period to watch the sports teams.<ref name="lake"/>

Over the years, the city and parish have improved conditions with a riverbank stabilization project and a water pump project to improve water levels in the lake. This directs water from Hampton Lake into Bayou Possiant, which feeds Cane River Lake.<ref name="lake">[https://natchitochesparishjournal.com/2018/03/22/nine-college-rowing-teams-using-cane-river-this-month/comment-page-1/ "Nine college rowing teams using Cane River this month"], ''Natchitoches Parish Journal'', March 22, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2018</ref>

In March 1965, nine children were among seventeen people killed in a natural gas pipeline explosion.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gas Blast Kills Seventeen in Louisiana |url=http://www.gendisasters.com/louisiana/53/natchitoches-la-gas-pipeline-explosion-mar-1965 |access-date=21 November 2020 |publisher=The Corpus Christi Times |date=4 March 1965}}</ref>

Natchitoches was the site of the 1973 plane crash that claimed the life of singer-songwriter [[Jim Croce]]. Croce had performed a concert on campus for [[Northwestern State University]] students at Prather Coliseum. He was killed less than an hour later in a plane headed to [[Sherman, Texas]]. The crash may have been a result of the pilot suffering a fatal heart attack.<ref>[https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/jim-croce-five-others-die-in-plane-crash-19731025 "Jim Croce and five others die in plane crash"], ''Rolling Stone'', October 25, 1973</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|25.1|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|21.6|sqmi|km2}} are land and {{convert|3.6|sqmi|km2}} (14.21%) are covered by water.

A 35-mi-long (56&nbsp;km) lake was formed from a portion of the Red River when it changed course. It is now known as Cane River Lake. The municipal water supply comes from nearby [[Sibley Lake Dam|Sibley Lake]], a formerly drained wetland dammed in 1962, which also offers fishing and boating.

===Geology===
Soils in this area are a combination of leaf mold and red clays, sand, and sediments. The area is part of the Chestnut Salt Dome.

===Cityscape===
Though Natchitoches has few multistorey buildings, it has retained much of its historic European-style architecture listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] as the [[Natchitoches Historic District]]. The city is a mesh of [[wrought iron]], [[stucco]], and [[red brick]]. The city still has one of the original brick streets (Front Street), which the historical society protects from alterations. The city of Natchitoches recently completed a restoration project to repair the century-old brick street. During this process, workers removed each brick one by one, numbered it, cleaned it, and then replaced it after utilities, drainage, and the foundation were repaired beneath. {{citation needed|date=February 2014}}

===Climate===
{{Weather box
|location = Natchitoches, Louisiana (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 84
|Feb record high F = 89
|Mar record high F = 93
|Apr record high F = 95
|May record high F = 100
|Jun record high F = 104
|Jul record high F = 108
|Aug record high F = 108
|Sep record high F = 110
|Oct record high F = 99
|Nov record high F = 89
|Dec record high F = 84
|year record high F = 110

|Jan avg record high F = 76.6
|Feb avg record high F = 79.6
|Mar avg record high F = 84.8
|Apr avg record high F = 88.8
|May avg record high F = 92.9
|Jun avg record high F = 96.8
|Jul avg record high F = 99.2
|Aug avg record high F = 99.9
|Sep avg record high F = 97.0
|Oct avg record high F = 91.4
|Nov avg record high F = 84.0
|Dec avg record high F = 78.5
|year avg record high F = 100.9

|Jan high F = 59.8
|Feb high F = 64.9
|Mar high F = 72.2
|Apr high F = 79.3
|May high F = 86.5
|Jun high F = 92.4
|Jul high F = 95.3
|Aug high F = 95.7
|Sep high F = 90.3
|Oct high F = 81.1
|Nov high F = 70.3
|Dec high F = 62.3
|year high F = 79.2
|Jan mean F = 49.5
|Feb mean F = 53.4
|Mar mean F = 60.6
|Apr mean F = 67.6
|May mean F = 75.8
|Jun mean F = 82.6
|Jul mean F = 85.5
|Aug mean F = 85.3
|Sep mean F = 79.5
|Oct mean F = 69.0
|Nov mean F = 58.8
|Dec mean F = 51.7
|year mean F = 68.3
|Jan low F = 39.2
|Feb low F = 41.9
|Mar low F = 49.0
|Apr low F = 56.0
|May low F = 65.1
|Jun low F = 72.9
|Jul low F = 75.8
|Aug low F = 74.9
|Sep low F = 68.7
|Oct low F = 56.9
|Nov low F = 47.3
|Dec low F = 41.1
|year low F = 57.4

|Jan avg record low F = 23.4
|Feb avg record low F = 28.0
|Mar avg record low F = 32.3
|Apr avg record low F = 40.2
|May avg record low F = 50.9
|Jun avg record low F = 62.9
|Jul avg record low F = 68.4
|Aug avg record low F = 66.7
|Sep avg record low F = 54.8
|Oct avg record low F = 40.3
|Nov avg record low F = 30.8
|Dec avg record low F = 26.6
|year avg record low F = 21.8

|Jan record low F = 3
|Feb record low F = 3
|Mar record low F = 21
|Apr record low F = 30
|May record low F = 39
|Jun record low F = 43
|Jul record low F = 55
|Aug record low F = 52
|Sep record low F = 40
|Oct record low F = 26
|Nov record low F = 19
|Dec record low F = 5
|year record low F = 3
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 5.08
|Feb precipitation inch = 4.48
|Mar precipitation inch = 5.76
|Apr precipitation inch = 5.66
|May precipitation inch = 4.16
|Jun precipitation inch = 5.22
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.51
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.27
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.90
|Oct precipitation inch = 4.52
|Nov precipitation inch = 4.76
|Dec precipitation inch = 5.61
|year precipitation inch = 55.93 
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 10.2
|Feb precipitation days = 8.8
|Mar precipitation days = 9.1
|Apr precipitation days = 6.5
|May precipitation days = 8.2
|Jun precipitation days = 9.4
|Jul precipitation days = 8.6
|Aug precipitation days = 6.5
|Sep precipitation days = 6.9
|Oct precipitation days = 7.1
|Nov precipitation days = 7.4
|Dec precipitation days = 9.8
|year precipitation days = 98.5
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 0.1
|Feb snow days = 0.0
|Mar snow days = 0.0
|Apr snow days = 0.0
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 0.0
|Dec snow days = 0.1
|year snow days = 0.2
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name= nws>
{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=shv
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = August 20, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00166582&format=pdf
| title = Station: Natchitoches, LA
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = August 20, 2021}}</ref>
|date=November 2017
}}

Weather-wise, Natchitoches lies in a boundary region that separates the plains of [[Texas]] from the consistently humid [[Gulf Coast]]. This gives summers both heat and humidity. Winters in Natchitoches are relatively mild, with measurable snowfall once every 5–10 years. Natchitoches averages {{convert|54.93|in|mm}} of rain per year. The city is in an area that frequently experiences severe thunderstorms, hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes. {{citation needed|date=February 2014}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1820= 986
|1830= 1405
|1850= 1261
|1870= 1401
|1880= 2785
|1890= 1820
|1900= 2388
|1910= 2532
|1920= 3388
|1930= 4547
|1940= 6812
|1950= 9914
|1960= 13924
|1970= 15974
|1980= 16664
|1990= 16609
|2000= 17865
|2010= 18323
|2020= 18039
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
[[Image:Church of the Immaculate Conception sign in Natchitoches, LA IMG 1966.JPG|thumb|right|The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Natchitoches is located across from the old Courthouse Museum]]
[[Image:First Baptist Church in Natchitoches, LA IMG 1955.JPG|thumb|right|Though founded by [[Roman Catholic]]s, Natchitoches has a large First [[Baptist]] Church located in the downtown district]]
[[Image:Riverwalk in Natchitoches, LA IMG 1942.JPG|thumb|right|Riverwalk of [[Cane River]] in downtown Natchitoches as photographed from Front Street]]
[[Image:Restored Fort Saint Jean Baptiste in Natchitoches, LA IMG 2032.JPG|thumb|right|Reconstructed Fort Saint Jean Baptiste museum on Jefferson Street in Natchitoches]]
[[Image:Downtown Natchitoches showing the brick streets IMG 1916.JPG|thumb|right|Downtown Natchitoches with historic buildings, stores, and shops, maintains brick streets]]
[[Image:Natchitoches, LA, Arts Center IMG 1973.JPG|thumb|right|Natchitoches Arts Center on Second Street near City Hall]]

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Natchitoches Racial Composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US2253545&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-07|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]]
|6,370
|35.31%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]]
|9,892
|54.84%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|64
|0.35%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|122
|0.68%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|10
|0.06%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|671
|3.72%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|910
|5.04%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States Census]], there were 18,039 people, 6,222 households, and 2,773 families residing in the city.

===2010 census===
As of the 2010 census,<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=31 January 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>  18,323 people, 6,705 households, and 3,631 families were residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|828.5|PD/sqmi|/km2}}. The 7,906 housing units averaged 312.2 per sq mi (120.5/km<sup>2</sup>). The [[Race (United States Census)|racial makeup]] of the city was 59.0% African American, 36.4% White, 0.5% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.42% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race was 1.7% of the population.

Of the 6,113 households, 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.3% were married couples living together, 21.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.6% were not families. About 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% 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 3.18.

In the city, the age distribution was 23.6% under the age of 18, 27.2% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 16.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,261, and for a family was $30,396. Males had a median income of $28,601 versus $17,859 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,642. About 26.7% of families and 34.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.0% of those under age 18 and 19.2% of those aged 65 or over.

==Native American tribes==
* [[Adai Caddo Indians of Louisiana]]
* [[Natchitoches people]]
* [[Caddo]]

==Economy==
[[Image:City Bank and Trust Co. of Natchitochnes, LA IMG 1968.JPG|thumb|right|City Bank and Trust Company is one of several financial institutions in downtown Natchitoches.]]
[[Image:Kaffie-Frederick, Inc., General Mercantile, Natchitoches, LA IMG 1931.JPG|thumb|right|Kaffie-Frederick, Inc., is the oldest general store in Louisiana.]]
Following continued population decline in the area, in part due to mechanization of agriculture, by the 1970s, Natchitoches had suffered an economic downturn that resulted in a 65% vacancy in the commercial district. Because of efforts to revitalize the city and emphasize its unique historic assets, as described above, vacancy is now about 1%.

The Port of Natchitoches—a river port on the [[Red River of the South|Red River]]—is located off the eastbound part of [[U.S. Route 84]], just outside Natchitoches. The port exports lumber from yards onsite, as forestry is a major industry in the area, as well.

[[Natchitoches Regional Airport]] serves cities (via FBO) such as Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Dallas, Houston, Little Rock, Monroe, and Shreveport. It is adjacent to Northwestern State University; together, they offer flight training. The airport is under renovation to become one of the country's most advanced [[non-towered airport]]s.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}

The [[Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery]] is based here. They handle over six species of fish and other wildlife. The parish attracts numerous sports fishermen during the seasons.

The [[Natchitoches Christmas Festival]] is a well-known celebration of the holidays for locals. The festival is held on the river.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Holiday Festival Lights Up Natchitoches|url=https://www.louisianatravel.com/articles/holiday-festival-lights-natchitoches|access-date=2021-01-25|website=Louisiana Official Travel and Tourism Information|language=en}}</ref>

Since completion of [[Interstate 49]], many business have either moved or have been built outside the city's central area. Gas stations and hotels have developed in this area and serve many of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival visitors.

In 1998, Natchitoches was named one of the top six places in the United States to retire by ''Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine''.

===Tourism===
The [[Cane River National Heritage Area]] is a {{convert|116000|acre|km2|adj=on}} area which includes many sites such as [[Oakland Plantation (Natchez, Louisiana)|Oakland Plantation]], [[Melrose Plantation]], [[Badin-Roque House]], [[Magnolia Plantation (Derry, Louisiana)|Magnolia Plantation]], [[Kate Chopin House (Cloutierville, Louisiana)|Kate Chopin House]], Cherokee Plantation, Cane River Heritage Scenic Byway, [[Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site]], [[National Historic Landmark]] District (Old Courthouse Museum, Bishop Martin Museum, Landmarks in Time Exhibit), and  [[Los Adaes State Historic Site]]. Because of this richness of culture, the area is one of the destinations on the [[Louisiana African American Heritage Trail]] newly designated by the state.

Natchitoches, a popular tourism area of the state, is equipped to serve visitors with 11 national chain hotels, and 27 bed-and-breakfast inns,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.natchitoches.net/accommodations/bed-and-breakfasts/|title=Bed & Breakfasts, Cabins, and Guest Houses in Natchitoches, LA}}</ref> including the Steel Magnolia House.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.steelmagnoliahouse.com/|title=Home|website=steelmagnoliahouse.com}}</ref>

Natchitoches attracts over one million visitors annually. The city is known as a retiree-friendly city. In 2006, Natchitoches was awarded the [[Great American Main Street Award]] for the effort the community has put into revitalizing and restoring much of the historic district.

The city's tourism center is the downtown river walk. This includes Front Street, which becomes Jefferson at the Texas Street light. Front Street is the jewel of the city. It overlooks the river walk and is bordered by an assortment of shops and boutiques. The city has identified this area as its historical district. The [[Historical Society]] maintains the area through regulations on changes and restorations. Natchitoches has a mini "Walk of Fame" located in the historical district of the city.

While visiting the area, tourists may notice many unusual structures; these are many of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival lights. The city recently built a small convention center located on Second Street, which holds many city events.

The [[Bayou Pierre Alligator Park]] is a major tourist attraction, where tourists may feed the alligators and dine and shop. The park teaches school children to respect nature and to conserve its many habitats. Natchitoches is home to a branch of the [[Kisatchie National Forest]], a designation promoted by naturalist [[Caroline Dormon]] to preserve regional natural wonders.

Opened December 2005, the [[Natchitoches Events Center]] is in the [[Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District]]. Located at 750 Second Street, the facility has a {{convert|40000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} meeting facility, a {{convert|15000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} exhibit hall with three meeting rooms, a board room, and a full-sized catering kitchen.

===National Guard===
A Troop 2-108TH CAV is headquartered behind the local college and the airport. This unit has been deployed twice to Iraq, first as part of the 1-156TH Armor Battalion in 2004–2005, and then as part of the 2-108TH CAV SQDN in 2010. Both times, this company-sized unit deployed with the [[256th Infantry Brigade]].,

==Arts and culture==
The [[Natchitoches Meat Pie]] is one of the official state foods of Louisiana. It is known as a regional delicacy of North Louisiana. (See List of U.S. state foods.)

Natchitoches has long been known for its popular Christmas lighting festival which is held the first Saturday in December. The lights continue to brighten the [[Cane River]] until after New Year's Day. In 2019 the festival celebrated its 93rd year.

==Education==
===Colleges and universities===
* [[Northwestern State University]]
* [[Louisiana Scholars' College]]
* [[Louisiana Technical College]]

The Northwestern Campus is also home to the [[Louisiana Scholars' College]], the state's designated honors college for the study of the liberal arts and sciences. As a part of its effort to become a global campus, NSU is a sister university with many universities in Asia.

Natchitoches Parish is in the service area of [[Bossier Parish Community College]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lctcs.edu/our-colleges|title=Our Colleges|publisher=[[Louisiana's Technical and Community Colleges]]|accessdate=2021-06-03}}</ref>

===Primary and secondary schools===
==== Public schools ====
[[Natchitoches Parish School Board]] operates many public schools. They include:
* East Natchitoches Elementary/Middle School
* George L. Parks Elementary
* L.P. Vaughn Elementary
* M.R. Weaver Elementary
* NSU Elementary/Middle Laboratory School
* Natchitoches Junior High—Frankie Ray Jackson School
* Natchitoches Magnet School
* [[Natchitoches Central High School]]

The city is also home to the [[Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts]], a public residential honors high school.

====Private schools====
[[St. Mary's High School (Natchitoches, Louisiana)|St. Mary's High School]] is in Natchitoches.

==Media==

=== Newspaper ===

* ''[[Natchitoches Times]]''

=== Radio ===

Natchitoches is the principal city of the Natchitoches media market for radio.

{{Natchitoches Radio}}

=== Television ===
Natchitoches is part of the Shreveport [[media market]] for television.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Market Search: Shreveport DMA Overview |url=https://www.krgspec.com/MarketSearch.aspx?DMAID=111 |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=Katz Radio Group}}</ref>

{{Shreveport-Texarkana TV}}

==Infrastructure==
=== Health care ===

[[File:Natchitoches Regional Medical Center 12-4-2020.jpg|thumb|right|View of Natchitoches Regional Medical Center in 2020]]

Natchitoches Regional Medical Center is a 78-bed facility that includes 45 medical/surgical beds and a 112-bed skilled nursing home.
Rehabilitation treatment is at the PRISM Center for physical, occupational and speech therapy, sports medicine, industrial medicine, wound care and more. NRMC was established in 1956.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Natchitoches Regional Medical Center at National Rural Health |url=https://www.ruralcenter.org/spotlight/natchitoches-regional-medical-center |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=National Rural Health Resource Center}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{div col}}
* [[Jack Berly]] (1903–1977), a Major League Baseball pitcher
* [[Curtis Boozman]] (1898–1979), served two nonconsecutive terms in the [[Louisiana House of Representatives]] from Natchitoches, 1952 to 1956 and 1960 to 1964.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembership_History_CURRENT.pdf|title=Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812–2016|publisher=house.louisiana.gov|access-date=September 9, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Leopold Caspari]], businessman, banker, and member of both houses of the [[Louisiana State Legislature]] between 1884 and 1914
* [[Joanna Cassidy]], Golden Globe award-winning actress.
* [[Monnie T. Cheves]], NSU professor; member of the Louisiana House from Natchitoches Parish from 1952 to 1960<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.natchitocheshighschool1960.org/class_profile.cfm?member_id=2431454|title=In Memoriam: Monnie T. Cheves|newspaper=[[The Town Talk (Alexandria)|Alexandria Daily Town Talk]]|page=D3|date=August 17, 1988|access-date=September 9, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910195808/http://www.natchitocheshighschool1960.org/class_profile.cfm?member_id=2431454|archive-date=September 10, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Kate Chopin]], a short story writer and novelist, managed a plantation in Cloutierville south of Natchitoches in the late 19th century for a time after the death of her husband.
* [[Charles Milton Cunningham]] (1877–1936), Natchitoches attorney, publisher of ''The Natchitoches Times'', and member of the Louisiana State Senate from 1915 to 1922
* [[Milton Joseph Cunningham]] (1842–1916), attorney in Natchitoches and New Orleans, state representative and state senator from Natchitoches Parish, state attorney general for three nonconsecutive terms ending in 1900, father of Charles Milton Cunningham and grandfather of W. Peyton Cunningham
* [[William Tharp Cunningham]] (1871–1952), attorney, planter, state district court judge, state representative
* [[W. Peyton Cunningham]] (1901–1971), attorney and member of the Louisiana House from Natchitoches Parish from 1932 to 1940
* [[George Doherty]] was a former professional [[American football|football]] player who was the head coach of the Northwestern State University Demons from 1972 to 1974. The athletic offices are named in his honor.
* [[Caroline Dormon]], a [[Natural history|naturalist]] and preservationist, lived in Natchitoches Parish. She was the driving force behind the establishment of the [[Kisatchie National Forest]].
* [[Steve Dowden]], former [[American football|football]] player.
* [[David Dumars]], player of gridiron football
* [[Joe Dumars]], NBA championship-winning player and general manager for the [[Detroit Pistons]].
* [[Joseph Barton Elam]], member of the United States House of Representatives from [[Louisiana's 4th congressional district]], spent part of his childhood in Natchitoches
* [[Medford Bryan Evans]] (1907–1989), former professor at Northwestern State University; [[Conservative (politics)|conservative]] political writer
* [[Dan Flores]] (born 1948), historian of the [[American West]] at the [[University of Montana]] in [[Missoula, Montana|Missoula]], Montana; obtained master's degree from NSU
* [[Grits Gresham]] (1922–2008) was a nationally known [[Sportsperson|sportsman]], outdoorsman, author, and host of [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[The American Sportsman]]'' television series from 1966 to 1979. A noted environmentalist, he resided on [[Cane River|Cane River Lake]].
* [[Robert Harling (writer)|Robert Harling]], a playwright and Hollywood screenwriter (born 1951), is a Natchitoches native.
* [[Bobby Hebert]], football [[quarterback]]; [[New Orleans Saints]] Hall of Fame
* [[Robert Hilburn]]  (born 1939), biographer, and pop music critic for ''Los Angeles Times''.
* [[George W. Jack]], judge from 1917 until his death in 1924 of the [[United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana]], based in Shreveport; born in Natchitoches in 1875.
* [[A.R. Johnson (Louisiana politician)|Andrew R. Johnson]] (1856–1933), state senator from Bienville and Claiborne parishes from 1916 to 1924 and mayor of [[Homer, Louisiana|Homer]], Louisiana, in the 1910s.
* [[Marques Johnson]], basketball player on [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA]] national championship team and for [[NBA]]'s [[Milwaukee Bucks]], [[Los Angeles Clippers]], and [[Golden State Warriors]].
* [[Pat Listach]], [[MLB]] player for the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] and [[Houston Astros]], coach and minor-league manager.
* [[Jimmy D. Long]] is a former [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] member of the [[Louisiana House of Representatives]] who served from the Natchitoches-based district from 1968 to 2000.
* [[Vern Roberson]] (born 1952), NFL player.
* Brittney Rogers (born 1982), [[Miss Louisiana USA]] 2003.
* [[Henry Hopkins Sibley]] (1816–1886) was a Confederate general in the American Civil War who commanded in Louisiana, Texas, and [[New Mexico]].
* [[Ray Tarver]] (1921–1972), dentist who represented Natchitoches Parish in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1964 to 1968.
* [[Charlie Tolar]] (1937–2003), pro football player for [[Houston Oilers]].
* [[Trini Triggs]] (born 1965) is a [[country music]] singer born and reared in Natchitoches; holds occasional concerts on the Cane River.
* [[A. L. Williams (American football)|A. L. Williams]] (born 1934), retired NSU and Louisiana Tech football coach; resided in Natchitoches, 1974–1982.
* [[J. Robert Wooley]] (born 1953), Natchitoches native but never lived in the city; [[Insurance commissioner|Louisiana insurance commissioner]], 2000–06.
{{div col end}}

==Noted events==
[[Image:Steel Magnolias Bed and Breakfast in Natc hitoches, LA IMG 2038.JPG|thumb|right|The Steel Magnolias Bed and Breakfast on Jefferson Street is among some fifty such lodgings in Natchitoches]]
[[Image:Violet Hill Bed and Breakfast in Natchitoches, LA IMG 2046.JPG|thumb|right|The Violet Hill Bed and Breakfast in Natchitoches]]

Natchitoches was the site of a gas pipeline explosion on March 4, 1965 that killed 17 people.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gendisasters.com/louisiana/53/natchitoches,-la-gas-pipeline-explosion,-mar-1965 |title=Natchitoches, LA Gas Pipeline Explosion, Mar 1965 |publisher=GenDisasters.com |access-date=October 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628195618/http://www3.gendisasters.com/louisiana/53/natchitoches,-la-gas-pipeline-explosion,-mar-1965 |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1973, singer-songwriter [[Jim Croce]] was killed when [[Jim Croce#Death|his plane crashed as it was leaving]] [[Natchitoches Regional Airport]].

Natchitoches received numerous [[New Orleans]] evacuees due to [[Hurricane Katrina]] (2005). Many college students from [[New Orleans]] were transferred to [[Northwestern State University]] to continue their education. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Wayback Machine |url=https://ldh.la.gov/assets/docs/BehavioralHealth/LaSpirit/UnsungHeroesNorthLA.pdf |access-date=2024-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228085406/https://ldh.la.gov/assets/docs/BehavioralHealth/LaSpirit/UnsungHeroesNorthLA.pdf |archive-date=December 28, 2016 }}</ref>

==In popular culture==
Multiple movies have been filmed here, including:
* ''[[The Horse Soldiers]]'' (1959), starring [[William Holden]] and [[John Wayne]]. 
* ''[[Cane River (film)|Cane River]]'' (1982), Horace B. Jenkins filmed Cane River in [[New Orleans]] and [[Natchitoches Parish]].
* ''[[Steel Magnolias]]'' (1989), starring [[Julia Roberts]], [[Sally Field]], [[Daryl Hannah]], [[Shirley MacLaine]], [[Dolly Parton]], and [[Olympia Dukakis]]
* ''[[The Man in the Moon (1991 film)|The Man in the Moon]]'' (1991), starring [[Reese Witherspoon]], [[Jason London]], [[Sam Waterston]], and [[Tess Harper]]
* ''[[12 Years a Slave (film)|12 Years a Slave]]'' (2013), four historic [[Antebellum architecture|antebellum]] plantations were used in the film: [[Felicity Plantation|Felicity]], [[Magnolia Plantation (Derry, Louisiana)|Magnolia]], [[Bocage Plantation|Bocage]], and [[Destrehan Plantation|Destrehan]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Scott|first=Mike|title=Following in the real footsteps of '12 Years a Slave' figure Solomon Northup: Mike's Movie Mailbag| url=http://www.nola.com/movies/index.ssf/2013/09/following_in_the_real-life_foo.html| work=[[The Times-Picayune]]|publisher=[[Advance Publications]]|access-date=October 25, 2013|date=September 9, 2013}}</ref> Magnolia, a plantation in Natchitoches, Louisiana, is just a few miles from one of the historic sites where Northup was held. "To know that we were right there in the place where these things occurred was so powerful and emotional," said actor Chiwetel Ejiofor. "That feeling of dancing with ghosts—it's palpable."<ref name="NYDN">{{cite web|last=Sacks|first=Ethan|title=No ordinary movie, '12 Years a Slave' is a brutal and honest depiction of America's gravest mistake|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/slavery-scars-article-1.1483980|work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|publisher=Daily News, L.P.|access-date=October 27, 2013|date=October 13, 2013}}</ref>

==References==

{{portal|Louisiana}}
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==

{{Sister project links 
| 1 = |collapsible= |display= |author=
<!----(Use the value "no" to exclude a project:)---->
| b = no |commons=Category:Natchitoches, Louisiana |d=no |m=no |mw=no |n=no |q=no |s=no | species =no |voy=Natchitoches |wikt=no |v=no
}}

* [http://www.natchitochesla.gov/ City of Natchitoches official city website]
* [http://ladigitalmedia.org/video_v2/asset-detail/LLOLA-117-01_Natchitoches ''What's in a Name: Natchitoches''] ([[Louisiana Public Broadcasting|LPB]], 2006)
 
{{Geographic Location
| Centre    = Natchitoches
| North     = [[Shreveport, Louisiana|Shreveport]]
| Northeast = [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]]/[[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]]
| East      = [[Natchez, Mississippi|Natchez, MS]]
| Southeast = 
| South     = [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]]
| Southwest = [[Leesville, Louisiana|Leesville]]/[[De Ridder, Louisiana|De Ridder]]
| West      = [[Lufkin, Texas|Lufkin, TX]]/[[Nacogdoches, Texas|Nacogdoches, TX]]
| Northwest = 
}}

{{Navboxes
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{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Natchitoches, Louisiana| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana]]
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