Verda in Grant Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Verda
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, June 28, 2019
1. Verda Marker
Verda was named for the daughter of the town's first postmaster, Uriah E. DeWitt. Formerly known as College Hill, Verda's 19th century origins centered on the efforts of area farmers to establish a school for their families. Beginning as a local home school, Verda grew to become a parish high school that served as a center for community and educational events in Grant Parish. The school hosted annual regional basketball tournaments and from the 1930s to 1966 served as the site of the parish fair.
Important dates in Verda's education history:
1879-1st school in J.M. Wilson home; teacher Pleasant McManus
1882 -1st log house school.
1891-1st schoolhouse constructed named Farmer's Union College.
1893 - Farmer's Union College bought by Verda College Stock Co.
1906 - School placed under the Grant Parish School Board.
1910 - First accredited high school graduates.
1914 -1st schoolhouse replaced with two -story brick building
1957 - 1914 schoolhouse replaced
1971 - Verda High School became Verda Elementary
Erected by Verda High School Alumni Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1966.
Location. 31° 41.935′
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Central Louisiana. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Piney Woods. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Nightriders (approx. 5.1 miles away); Montgomery, Louisiana (approx. 7.2 miles away); William Edenborn (approx. 7.8 miles away); Natchitoches - Natchez Road (approx. 12.1 miles away); Battle of Calhoun's Landing (approx. 12.3 miles away); Mary E. Graham High School (approx. 12.7 miles away); Grant Parish and Town of Colfax (approx. 13 miles away); The Famous Burning Well of Colfax (approx. 13.1 miles away).
Another marker is no longer nearby. Colfax Riot (was approx. 13.1 miles away but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. Located in the VHS Alumni Memorial Garden, next to the current Verda School.
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, June 28, 2019
2. Verda Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2019, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 2,403 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 14, 2019.
