Near Gilbert in Franklin Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Bayou Macon Settlements

Photographed By Helen Johnson, August 26, 2021

1. Bayou Macon Settlements Marker

The marker was repaired in August 2021.

Inscription. Beginning with a settlement at Swampers in 1802, farms along Bayou Macon clustered around Osborns (Upper Settlement) and Oakley (Lower Settlement) comprising almost all inhabitants of the eastern portion that became Franklin Parish in 1843. Osborns became Crowville and Como. Oakley became Chase, Gilbert, and Wisner.

Erected 1976 by Franklin Parish Bicentennial Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1802.

Location. 32° 1.588′ N, 91° 38.199′ W. Marker is near Gilbert, Louisiana, in Franklin Parish. Marker is on Oakley Road, 0.1 miles north of Oakley Cemetery Road, on the right when traveling north. Located at the entrance to Oakley Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 733 Oakley Rd, Gilbert LA 71336, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. John L. Brown, Sr. (approx. 2.1 miles away); Lt. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault (approx. 2.2 miles away); Gene King (approx. 3.4 miles away); Franklin Parish (approx. 10.6 miles away); Fred Carter, Jr. (approx. 10.8 miles away); Richard Berry, Jr. (approx. 10.9 miles away); Boeuf Prairie Methodist Church

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(approx. 11.2 miles away); Ghost Site Mounds (approx. 11.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gilbert.

More about this marker. The Bayou Macon Settlements marker has faded overs its 43 years under the daily glare of the eastern sun.

Regarding Bayou Macon Settlements. The history of Oakley Cemetery is inextricably tied to the history of the Village of Gilbert, Town of Wisner, and Franklin Parish. Through its landscape and monuments, the cemetery tells the story of this beloved area by Deer Creek and its remarkable citizenry.

In the early 1800s, a cluster of farms formed by the early pioneers of the area called the Lower Settlement became known as “Oakley”. Oakley Cemetery is around 180 years old and sits on 14.25 acres set in the pastoral countryside of the once vibrant hamlet. The location of the Oakley Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the first in the area, and home to both African American and white parishioners. Oakley is the final resting place for many notable people that were the foundation and created the history of the area. There are more than 200 veterans from various conflicts interred in the cemetery, and the family of Lt. Gen. Claire

Photographed By Craig S Johnson

2. Bayou Macon Settlements Marker

Lee Chennault leader of “The Flying Tigers”.

Additional keywords. Oakley Church, Oakley Cemetery

June 7, 2016

3. Bayou Macon Settlements Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2020, by Craig S Johnson of Gilbert, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 496 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 17, 2022, by Craig S Johnson of Gilbert, Louisiana. 2. submitted on May 24, 2020, by Craig S Johnson of Gilbert, Louisiana. 3. submitted on May 24, 2020. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.