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

Terrel Delphin Sr.

Photographed by James Hulse, December 18, 2025

1. Terrel Delphin Sr. Marker

Inscription. Terrel Delphin Sr. began life in 1903 in Isle Brevelle, a historic gens de couleur libre (free people of color) community. From the 1800s to the civil rights movement, people were often pressured to be in one or another major racial category. While attending Straight College - now Dillard University in New Orleans, Delphin worked as a Pullman porter on a route from Detroit to Canada. Delphin left the porter job and enlisted in the U.S. Navy around 1926 as a White man. He returned to his Cane River home after four years of service.

2nd Plaque
African American porters served White train passengers. Porters were underpaid, overworked, and endured constant racism. To address harsh working conditions, porters of the Pullman Company formed the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first all-Black union, in 1925.

Although poorly treated and surviving on mostly tips, employment as a porter allowed many rural Black men to travel and build wealth.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 31° 45.684′ N, 93° 5.645′ W. Marker is in Natchitoches, Louisiana, in Natchitoches Parish. It is on Depot Street north of

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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: Magnolia Plantation (a few steps from this marker); Oakland Plantation (a few steps from this marker); The last day of Texas & Pacific services in Natchitoches (within shouting distance of this marker); I took my first train ride (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Migration (within shouting distance of this marker); A Long Journey (within shouting distance of this marker); Architecture of Segregation (within shouting distance of this marker); Natchitoches residents fought hard for civil rights (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Natchitoches.

Terrel Delphin Sr. Marker - 2nd Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, December 18, 2025

2. Terrel Delphin Sr. Marker - 2nd Plaque

Photographed by James Hulse, December 18, 2025

3. Terrel Delphin Sr. Marker

The silhouette artwork and markers are located on the track side of the depot (southwest corner).

Photographed by James Hulse, December 18, 2025

4. Terrel Delphin Sr. Marker

The view of the silhouette on the southwest corner of the depot.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 23, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.