Small Town America

Big cities draw attention from the media, the government and even the ordinary folks. Huge populations throng the streets of places like New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Boston. When people think of a particular state, they think mainly about whatever its biggest city may be.

But outside of major cities lie scores of small towns, villages and small cities. Perched like a Christmas bow on the toe of a slipper is Bogalusa, Louisiana. It is on the very toe of the "Boot", just about as far out as it could get before being in a neighboring state. Bogalusa is hemmed in by Texas on the west, and Arkansas to the north, and Mississippi on the east. Its southern border is the Gulf of Mexico, which sent devastating storms, Katrina and Rita rampaging through the area.

On April 30, 1803 as treaty was signed with the French to sell a piece of land extending from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. The Louisiana Purchase cost the United States 60,000,000 francs, or $15,000,000 American dollars. President Thomas Jefferson was delighted, now the United States had free navigation of the Mississippi and a territory that would be open for settlement.

Before the settlers came, only Native Americans populated the area. Bogalusa is in Washington Parish (Louisiana has parishes rather than counties). There the Bayougoula Indians, part of the Choctaw nation, reigned. In fact the name Bogalusa, which is copyrighted) comes from the creek Bogue Lusa, meaning dark and smoky waters. The creek runs through Bogalusa.

In 1906 the Goodyear interests of Buffalo New York built a lumber mill there. The area, Pearl River Valley, is a strong manufacturing concern. Besides the lumber industry, Bogalusa has plants manufacturing paper bags, boxes and many other products.

Though Bogalusa has these huge concerns the population as of the 2000 census numbers 13,365. It is the only incorporated area in Washington Parish. With all its manufacturing and commerce Bogalusa has a median household income far below that of the state average and their unemployment rate is higher than state average.

The city was recently plagued by a brutal murder that drew nationwide attention, opening it to media scrutiny. Compared to a large city, Bogalusa has very little crime, so this tragedy rocked the little southern city.

The area has a strong Cajun influence. The word Cajun was originally Acadian, referring to the area in France that sent its citizens to a new land, due to religious persecution.

One of the great things about Cajuns is their Zydeco music. It is almost another language, sung in happy, foot-stomping rhythms, or offered in waltz tunes that seem to cry with longing. Cajuns are proud people and many live along the bayous. They have houses built on stilts to keep above water. The site of them poling their pirogues down the waterways gives a flavor of Venice.

Little city? Yes, but still rich in history, heritage and everyday life. Bogalusa had its share of the hurricanes Katrina and Rita. It struggles with the same problems people all over the world struggle with. It is a city like many cities, but it is Bogalusa, queen of the Pearl River Valley.

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