Library

U.S. Highway 165 Corridor Study

Prepared by
the U.S. Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Southeast Region

In Cooperation
with the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
Kisatchie National Forest

May 1995

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report presents a characterization of the U.S. Highway 165 Corridor and Study Area from Alexandria to Monroe, Louisiana, pursuant to the Lower Mississippi Delta Region Initiatives [PL 103-433, Title XI, Section 1103 (b)(4)]. The Study Corridor contains important cultural and natural resources related to the history and development of the twentieth century timber industry. The report provides a historical overview of Louisiana's timber industry, the lumber companies, the timber workers, and historic towns and sawmill communities along the Highway 165 corridor. Towns along the highway are discussed in light of historical resources related to the timber industry that have survived to the present day. A discussion concerning the end of the timber boom, reforestation efforts, the role of the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the continued importance of forestry today is also presented.

The report also documents the presence of natural resources and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities within the Study Area and especially within the Kisatchie National Forest. The importance of linking public roads, archeological sites and National Register historic properties, museums, festivals, places of interest, natural areas, and recreational resources into a network of historic and scenic trails/byways for the purpose of providing opportunities for public enjoyment, heritage tourism, and rural economic development is emphasized as well. Based upon the findings of the study, it is determined that the U.S. Highway 165 corridor meets the conditions to be designated as a Lower Mississippi Delta Heritage Corridor pursuant to PL 103-433, Title XI, Section 1103 (b) (4). The corridor is to be entitled the "Ouachita-Kisatchie Timber Heritage Corridor." 

---

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
Description of the Study Corridor
The History of Louisiana's Timber Industry

• OVERVIEW
• REFORESTATION EFFORTS
• FORESTRY TODAY

Outdoor Recreation, Natural Resources and Cultural Resources

• PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES
• NATIONAL REGISTER PROPERTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE LUMBER INDUSTRY
• MUSEUMS, FESTIVALS, AND PLACES OF INTEREST

Summary
Appendix
Bibliography

---

INTRODUCTION

The Lower Mississippi Delta Region Initiatives, [PL 103-433, Titles XI, Section 1103 (b)(4)], signed into law on October 31, 1994, directed the Secretary of the Interior "to recommend in the study an appropriate route along the existing public roads to commemorate the importance of timber production and trade to the economic development of the Delta Region in the early 20th century, and to highlight the continuing importance of timber production and trade to the economic life of the Delta Region. Recommendations shall include an analysis of designating that portion of U.S. Highway 165, which extends from Alexandria, Louisiana, to Monroe, Louisiana, as a National Scenic Byway, or as a component of the National Trails System, or such other designation as the Secretary deems appropriate."

This study is intended to provide a characterization of the Study Corridor, which identifies the unique character and history of the corridor in order to establish a designation as appropriate under the law. The study identified sites and structures that have a relationship to the timber industry. In addition, other historic, natural, recreation, and scenic sites related to a heritage tourism theme were identified.

The Study Corridor defined by this report consists of a corridor 10 miles in width on each side of U.S. Highway 165 (Highway 165) between Alexandria and Monroe, Louisiana (see Figure 1). The Study Area also considered noteworthy sites or areas which are within a 1 hour drive of the Study Corridor and that had a direct relation to the timber industry. Parishes within the Study Corridor include Ouachita, Caldwell, Winn, LaSalle, Grant, Rapides, Richland and Franklin. Portions of adjacent parishes were included as appropriate.

In meeting the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), based on National Park Service NEPA guidelines, this report is Categorically Excluded in accord with Part 516 DM 6 Appendix 7.4 B (9), "Adoption or approval of surveys, studies, reports, plans and similar documents which will result in recommendations or proposed actions which would cause no or only minimal environmental impacts." The basis for this determination is that this report does not recommend any development. The report could result in designation which would have only minimal environmental impacts. Should subsequent reports or studies make recommendation(s) relative to development in this Corridor, an Environmental Impact Statement or an Environmental Assessment may be required.

[Entire document is not available on this web site.]