Natchitoches in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
A Long Journey
Creole River National Historical Park
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by James Hulse, December 18, 2025
1. A Long Journey Marker
It took decades to bring the railroad here, and the arrival of the Texas and Pacific Railway (T&P) was welcomed by many in the region who recognized the new economic possibilities. For others, the railroad provided a way to escape oppressive segregation laws in pursuit of greater equality and opportunity.
Natchitoches City officials chose architect F.G. Shaw of Dallas, Texas as the depot designer. He prepared several plans and presented them to the T&P President, J.L. Lancaster. The large brick structure, designed in an Italianate style, stood out prominently among the wooden buildings that surrounded it. Completed in 1927, construction of the depot took six months to build and cost $100,000.
The depot closed to passenger rail service in 1965. The building was abandoned by 1982 and sat empty until 2023 when it became the Headquarters and Visitor Center for Cane River Creole National Historical Park.
"We thought we were really coming from somewhere when we left this train station."
- Maude Antee, Natchitoches resident
Captions
(Photo #1) Texas and Pacific Railroad. The Texas and Pacific Railroad constructed many grand stations of this type along its mostly rural routes.
(Photo #2) Ceiling of Large Waiting Room. The Spanish style beams
this page online
(Photo #3) Graffiti Before Restoration. Nps Photo
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.
Location. 31° 45.704′ N, 93° 5.634′ 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: Architecture of Segregation (here, next to this marker); The Great Migration (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
Photographed by James Hulse, December 18, 2025
2. A Long Journey Marker (left side)
Photographed by James Hulse, December 18, 2025
3. A Long Journey Marker
The view of the markers along the right side of the depot.
Photographed by James Hulse, December 18, 2025
4. Texas and Pacific Railway Depot
The view of the markers along the right side of the depot.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 64 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 22, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
