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

I took my first train ride

Photographed by James Hulse, December 18, 2025

1. I took my first train ride Marker

Inscription. Sometimes, trains provided special express services for statewide events like Mardi Gras in New Orleans. For some people, train travel was a way to connect families, take vacations, or have an adventure.

Sylvia Morrow, a Natchitoches resident, fondly remembered her train travel as a child:
"When I was in 6th grade, I took my first train ride right here from Natchitoches going to what you call Cypress, Louisiana...One thing I noticed on the train they had porters on there. They worked on the trains, and they wore white uniforms."

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 31° 45.699′ N, 93° 5.644′ 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: The Great Migration (a few steps from this marker); The last day of Texas & Pacific services in Natchitoches (a few steps from this marker); A Long Journey

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(a few steps from this marker); Architecture of Segregation (a few steps from this marker); Oakland Plantation (a few steps from this marker); Natchitoches residents fought hard for civil rights (a few steps from this marker); Magnolia Plantation (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). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Natchitoches.

Photographed by James Hulse, December 18, 2025

2. I took my first train ride Marker

Photographed by James Hulse, December 18, 2025

3. I took my first train ride Marker

The view of the silhouette along the track side 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 62 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 23, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.