Last updated: September 17, 2024
Place
A River Runs Through It
Christy Hoover
Quick Facts
Location:
Natchez, LA
Amenities
1 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
Louisiana's abundant rivers and bayous provided essential paths for travel and trade. Merchandise, people, animals, communications, and even diseases were carried on the waters by dugouts, barges, and steamboats over the centuries. The Red River played a central role in the development of Magnolia Plantation and in the lives of everyone on the plantation.
The Red River was a linked system of Old River, Cane River, Little River, and the Rigolet de Bon Dieu. It connected inland Natchitoches to New Orleans and beyond, going Cane River plantations access to global trade. Steamboats could deliver provisions directly to larger plantations on their way toward Natchitoches, then pick up cotton and other goods for the return trip to New Orleans.
The Red River was a linked system of Old River, Cane River, Little River, and the Rigolet de Bon Dieu. It connected inland Natchitoches to New Orleans and beyond, going Cane River plantations access to global trade. Steamboats could deliver provisions directly to larger plantations on their way toward Natchitoches, then pick up cotton and other goods for the return trip to New Orleans.
The Caddo
Prior to the arrival of European settlers, the Cane River was home to the Adaes and the Natchitoches, tribes of the Caddo Nation. These native peoples used the river resources in a variety of ways. The river cane was woven into baskets and other items. Freshwater mussel shells were used as temper in Caddoan pottery and later for shell buttons.
Louisiana pearlshell mussel (Margaritifera hembeli), Native American shell-tempered pottery sherd, and river cane basket.