Natchitoches in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

The Great Migration

Photographed by James Hulse, December 18, 2025

1. The Great Migration Marker

Inscription. Between 1910 and 1970, six million African Americans moved out of the rural south in the Great Migration. They boarded trains with the hope of finding a better life. Often once they were settled, they sent for their families. Such was the case for one Natchitoches family who moved to California.

Edwina Lewis, a Natchitoches resident, recalled her family's journey:
"Our mothers went ahead and got jobs and sent for us children - six of us. So, our grandmother, our great grandmother, an aunt who lived up the street, and a cousin, there were three or four generations of us who got on the train at the Natchitoches depot and went into San Francisco."

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 31° 45.703′ N, 93° 5.635′ W. Marker is in Natchitoches, Louisiana, in Natchitoches Parish. It is on Depot Street north of Trudeau Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located on the grounds of the Texas and Pacific Railroad Depot (Cane River Creole National Historical Park). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Natchitoches LA 71457, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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 New Spain,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

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 walking distance of this marker: A Long Journey (here, next to this marker); Architecture of Segregation

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(here, next to this marker); Natchitoches residents fought hard for civil rights (here, next to this marker); The Texas and Pacific Railroad Depot (a few steps from this marker); I took my first train ride (a few steps from this marker); The last day of Texas & Pacific services in Natchitoches (a few steps from this marker); During World War II, 1.2 million Black men served in the U.S. military (a few steps from this marker); Oakland Plantation (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Natchitoches.

Photographed by James Hulse, December 18, 2025

2. The Great Migration Marker

Photographed by James Hulse, December 18, 2025

3. The Great Migration Marker

The view of the marker (right side) and Texas & Pacific Railroad Depot.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 71 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 22, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.