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

The Sound of Time

Photographed by James Hulse, December 18, 2025

1. The Sound of Time Marker

Inscription. The bell marked the times of day for the enslaved laborers. Most planters or overseers used bells to communicate with their workers. It could be rung to signal that it was time to start the day's work, time to break for meals, time to quit work, and on rare occasions, time to celebrate. Whatever the reason, the sounding of the bell was a reminder of the lack of control enslaved people had over their time.

The Oakland bell, like many plantation bells, was mounted high in a tower so that it could be heard across distant fields. The sounding of the bell could also be used to gather everyone for an announcement or in the event of an emergency. The Oakland bell remained in use into the 1950s when the bell tower made of Bois d'arc (Osage orange) limbs deteriorated.

"[The bell] was rung in celebration [in] 1945 when the end of World War II was announced."
Vivian Prud homme Flores Duggan

Captions
(Photo #1) To ring the bell, the ringer pulled on the rope, swinging the bell. The motion caused the clapper to strike the inside of the bell rim, thereby sounding the bell. The ringer could convey messages by using a certain number of tolls. NPS Photo. Photo courtesy Vivian Prud'homme Flores Duggan
(Photo #2) Photo courtesy Vivian Prud'homme Flores Duggan

Erected by Cane

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River Creole National Historical Park, National Park Service, US. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Communications. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.

Location. 31° 39.91′ N, 93° 0.158′ W. Marker is near Natchez, Louisiana, in Natchitoches Parish. It is at the intersection of State Highway 494 and State Highway 119 on State Highway 494. The marker is located on the grounds of the Oakland Plantation (Cane River Creole National Historic Park). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4386 LA-494, Natchez LA 71456, 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

Photographed by James Hulse, December 18, 2025

2. The Sound of Time Marker

The view of the main house of Oakland Plantation.

America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Maker of Most Things Wood (a few steps from this marker); Meet "Natchez" the Oakland Mule (within shouting distance of this marker); A French Connection (within shouting distance of this marker); The Enslaved Nanny's Room (within shouting distance of this marker); Merchandise and Mail (within shouting distance of this marker); Bois d'arc (within shouting distance of this marker); The Oak Allée & Bottle Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Creole Architecture (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Natchez.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 23, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 23, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.