Louisiana, Marksville Historical Markers Driving Tour Historical Markers
Series of over 100 markers of historic homes, buildings and sites in celebration of Marksville's Bicentennial in 2009. Markers placed by either the City of Marksville, Hypolite Bordelon Home Society, Marksville Chamber of Commerce or the State of Louisiana. Mostly a driving tour.
On Spring Bayou Road (State Road 1190) east of Andrus Street, on the right when traveling east.
Large story and a half Acadian style residence built by Alfred Greenhouse and his wife Cecilia Bontempt. Greenhouse was a farmer, cattleman, landowner and hunter who often cared for cattle kept in the lowlands during the winter months. Indian . . . — — Map (db m117693) HM
On South Washington Street near East Odgen Street, on the right when traveling north.
Oldest commercial building site remaining in city. Built by Voinche, native of Paris, France. Later Victorian upper structure on only underground basement in city. Basement used to hide cotton from Union troops during Civil War. — — Map (db m98022) HM
On East Odgen Street near North Main Street (Louisiana Highway 107/115), on the right when traveling west.
Movie theater built in the Arts and Crafts style by the Mayer family. First known as the "Palace Theater". Home to "silent" movies and later "speaking" films until about 1975. High school commencements were held here prior to 1927. — — Map (db m98270) HM
On South Main Street (State Highway 115) south of West Barbin Street, on the right when traveling south.
Turn of the century Victorian home featuring Colonial influence. Wrap around porch with complete central hallway. Built by Dr. Aristide Barbin. Restored by Tucker Couvillon family in the 1950's and the Leon Satterthwaite family in the 1990's. — — Map (db m120982) HM
On North Washington Street north of Laurel Lane, on the right when traveling north.
Raised Greek Revival dwelling with Victorian influence built in 1872 by Alfred and Elizka Bordelon. Occupied by direct descendants. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. — — Map (db m122655) HM
On North Monroe Street south of Tarleton Street, on the left when traveling south.
Full two story Arts and Crafts dwelling with Colonial Revival facade. Built by Michel Bettevy, prominent local banker. Later home to Leroy Havard family and the family of Dr. Alton DeNux, former Mayor and State Representative. — — Map (db m120955) HM
On South Washington Street north of Acton Street, on the right when traveling north.
Victorian dwelling Colonial influence. Built by Alfred Bordelon who practiced dentistry and law in Cottonport and Marksville. Built along northern edge of Spanish land grant of Francois Bordelon. — — Map (db m120984) HM
On South Main Street at West Barbin Street, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street.
Arts and Crafts style house built by Judge Lester Bordelon. Features a large central hallway flanked by gracious rooms and beveled glass entrance. — — Map (db m120973) HM
On North Monroe Street, 0.2 miles south of Tarleton Street, on the right when traveling south.
Part of home built by Marksville's first mayor, Charles Brashear. Located originally at corner of Cappel and Monroe Sts. Later housed Bell's Tavern. In 1856, Adolph Lafargue opened a boys' school in building and published "The Villager" newspaper . . . — — Map (db m120887) HM
On West Bon Temps Street at Monroe Street on West Bon Temps Street.
Arts and Crafts style house
Circa 1920. Built as a spec
House by T. James and
Zepher Newton Brouillette.
Purchased as rental property
in May 1934 by Ceran R.
and Eliza Zimmer Guillot.
Similar to the house next
door, but smaller in size. — — Map (db m121174) HM
On West Bon Temps Street near North Monroe Street, on the right when traveling north.
Full two story dwelling built in classic Arts and Crafts style. Features tile roof, stained glass and original Arts and Crafts interior. Designed by Favrot and Livaudais of New Orleans for L. Jules Coco, prominent local merchant. — — Map (db m121066) HM
On North Monroe Street south of West Cappel Street, on the right when traveling south.
A Confederate military hospital was maintained in this area during the Red River campaign of the Civil War. Patients were housed in a Mr. Richaud's buildings on Monroe Street according to an 1864 newspaper account. — — Map (db m121012) HM
On Legion Drive near North Preston Street (State Highway 452), on the left when traveling east.
Organized in 1889 under the leadership of Rev. J.W. Womack of Beggs, Oklahoma. Rev. and Mrs. Womack opened the first private "colored" school in Avoyelles Parish. Rev. A.L. Holmes was pastor of this church for 37 years. — — Map (db m138654) HM
On West Bon Temps Street north of North Monroe Street, on the right when traveling north.
Author of History of Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana published in 1943. Was an Asst. Professor of Spanish and French at Louisiana State Normal College, Natchitoches, Louisiana. — — Map (db m121237) HM
On Tarelton Street, 0.1 miles west of North Monroe Street, on the right when traveling west.
The two story plantation home of Judge Ralph Cushman was near this site. Cushman died of yellow fever in 1855, and is buried in this cemetery which bears his name. Other family cemeteries which were founded during this period include the Cannon . . . — — Map (db m120388) HM
On South Main Street (State Highway 115) at Decuir Street, on the left when traveling south on South Main Street.
Modified Victorian and Arts and Crafts style home built by Albert Decuir, dairyman and farmer on Spanish land grant property of his ancestor, Francois Bordelon. Presently owned by Decuir's grandson. — — Map (db m120983) HM
On North Main Street (State Highway 107) 0.3 miles north of Andrus Street, on the right when traveling north.
Mule driven tramway. Flat cars on rails from Marksville to Red River, a distance of six miles. Carried supplies and produce to and from Ware's Landing on the river to a warehouse on this site. — — Map (db m120927) HM
On State Highway 1192 at North Main Street (State Highway 115), on the right when traveling north on State Highway 1192.
Arts and Crafts style home built by Forest Dupuis, merchant and undertaker. Located on the grounds were a mortuary, "filling station", dance hall, and garages to house a horse-drawn hearse and family vehicle. — — Map (db m97845) HM
On North Main Street (State Highway 107/115) at East Mark Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street.
Fort De Russy, four miles north, potent Confederate stronghold defending lower Red River valley, yielded to land attack of General A. J. Smith's Union Army on March 14, 1864.
Lower Plaque
Dedicated June 13, 1954
By the Central . . . — — Map (db m97846) HM
On North Main Street (State Highway 107/115) near East Ogden Street, on the right when traveling north.
Marcos Litche, a native of Venice, Italy and a traveling peddler, migrated to the Avoyelles Post c. 1794. Because of a broken wagon wheel, the pleasant environment, and friendliness of the Indians and local residents, he decided to stay in this . . . — — Map (db m99098) HM
On North Washington Street, 0.2 miles north of East Ogden Street, on the right when traveling north.
A large Eastlake Victorian
one and a half story structure
with heavy Victorian ornamentation
stood on this site. Built by
Adolph Frank, German native.
Local folklore states that
Andrew Jackson stayed at an
earlier inn on this site. — — Map (db m122504) HM
On South Washington Street west of Tucker Street, on the right when traveling west.
Built by Alfred Dupuy for J. R. Smith. Later home to the Gardiner and Benjamin Laborde families. Full two story Victorian dwelling with upper and lower galleries. Strong Eastlake influence of both interior and exterior. — — Map (db m103560) HM
On Philo Street north of Elmo Street, on the right when traveling north.
German prisoners of war were housed in tents in a barbed wire enclosure during the last years of World War II. They assisted in the maintaining of levees and harvesting of crops, and were expatriated after the war. — — Map (db m97649) HM
On West Bon Temps Street at North Monroe Street, on the right when traveling north on West Bon Temps Street.
Arts and Crafts style house
Circa 1948. Rufus and Enola
Dupuy Guillory purchased the
property in April 1948 from
Tillman and Mabel Graham.
Perma Stone (faux stone) was
Placed on the exterior walls
and posts of the chain fence.
One of the . . . — — Map (db m121176) HM
On Waddil Street east of South Lee Street, on the right when traveling west.
Arts and Crafts style home built by Judge Phidias Gremillion. Is unique because it features a gabled roof. The wainscoted dining room is highlighted by a plate rail. — — Map (db m103700) HM
On South Preston Street (State Highway 452) near East Mark Street, on the right when traveling south.
Frame structure with Greek Revival influence was built for the Black Catholic families of Marksville and staffed by the Holy Ghost Fathers. Rev. Fr. T.J. Nolan was the first pastor and this church was built by Rev. Fr. John Cooney. — — Map (db m117651) HM
On East Mark Street west of South Preston Street, on the left when traveling west.
Founded by
Rev. Fr. Nicholas Juderman
as a school for Black Catholic
children. Land donated by
Daughters of the Cross.
Funding obtained from
Mother Katherine Drexel,
founder of the Sisters of
the Blessed Sacrament.
Opened in 1917. First . . . — — Map (db m122502) HM
On Tunica Drive West (State Highway 1) at Cottage Street, on the right when traveling west on Tunica Drive West.
This c. 1820 Creole house is typical of the dwellings of early Avoyelles Parish families. The Bordelon family, who built the house, was one of the parish's pioneer families. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. — — Map (db m97631) HM
On East Odgen Street near South Washington Street, on the right when traveling north.
Ducote, a local attorney and former Mayor, practiced law from this Victorian brick and frame building at the turn of the century. — — Map (db m103692) HM
On South Main Street at Bon Temps Street, on the right when traveling north on South Main Street.
Two story brick mercantile store with Victorian embellishments features business quarters downstairs and living quarters upstairs. Mr. Printz, an Italian immigrant, began his career as a fruit peddler in Avoyelles Parish. — — Map (db m174211) HM
On North Monroe Street south of Tarleton Street, on the left when traveling south.
Classic Greek Revival home with heavy Colonial influence built by attorney, J.W."Buddy" Joffrion. Features a tile roof and spacious gardens. Designed by Favrot and Livaudais of New Orleans.Lower plaque: Joffrion House Has been placed on . . . — — Map (db m120928) HM
On North Main Street near West Bon Temps Street, on the left when traveling north.
Left section of this building was built in 1899 and the right section was added in 1918 by Jules Coco, a local merchant. This building has housed general merchandize (sic) stores, a Ford dealership, photo studio, hat shop, record shop, . . . — — Map (db m122079) HM
On North Main Street (State Highway 107/115) west of East Odgen Street, on the right when traveling west.
Arts and Crafts two story brick building built by Dr. E. M. Laborde and Cliffe E. Laborde for commercial use downstairs and dental and legal offices upstairs. Tidewater Marine, Inc., founded here in 1956. — — Map (db m103567) HM
On East Mark Street at South Washington Street, on the left when traveling east on East Mark Street.
Victorian mercantile store built by Lewis P. Roy, Sr. Restored in 1984-85 by attorneys Tucker Melancon and Rodney Rabalais and certified public accountants Aloysia C. Ducote and Van P. Major. — — Map (db m103699) HM
On North Main Street (State Highway 115) north of Joffrion Street, on the right when traveling north.
First organized in 1896 at the corner of Waddil and Lee Sts. by Rev. C. R. Dellapine. Later moved to corner of Monroe and Ogden Sts., and to this location in 1947. — — Map (db m98179) HM
On North Washington Street at East Cappel Street, on the right when traveling north on North Washington Street.
The Masonic Lodge was first organized in 1900 and chartered on February 12, 1901. The lodge moved to this two story frame Arts and Crafts style building in 1925. — — Map (db m122417) HM
On Martin Luther King Drive at Taensas Street, on the left when traveling east on Martin Luther King Drive.
Marksville is a ceremonial center with two earthen ridges enclosing seven mounds. Indians built these earthworks between 100 BC and AD 400. During that time, the site covered 200 acres and included other earthworks that are now destroyed. The . . . — — Map (db m97726) HM
On Chester Street at Benjamin Drive, on the right when traveling south on Chester Street.
Marksvillians enjoyed horse racing on a hard earth track located on this site. A wood grandstand existed for visitor seating. Begun by Dr. Aristide Barbin who also organized a baseball field and golf course in this area. Dr. Barbin played on the . . . — — Map (db m117463) HM
On West Mark Street at North Monroe Street, on the left when traveling south on West Mark Street.
Small brick edifice with
Victorian influence built
by William Peterman,
native of Pennsylvania
and a railroad attorney.
He married Belle Bordelorn
and later moved his practice
to Alexandria. — — Map (db m121177) HM
On North Main Street (State Highway 107/115) north of East Ogden Street, on the right when traveling north.
A two and one half story Eastlake Victorian structure with twin turrets stood on this site. Built by Alfred Mayer. Served for many years as the city's main hotel and renowned throughout state for its French cuisine. — — Map (db m99100) HM
On North Washington Street north of Edith Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
H. Molenar and J.A. Dalsuet photographed much of early Marksville and its early inhabitants. Most of the photographs that have survived were made by Molenar who had a studio on this site. — — Map (db m122654) HM
On North Main Street south of Joffrion Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
The Marksville Church of the
Nazarene was organized on
October 26, 1926 in the home
of Mrs. L.J. Coco. Rev. L.L.
Latham was the first minister.
This "New England” style
building has outstanding twelve
over twelve windows. . . . — — Map (db m122524) HM
On West Capell Street west of North Main Street, on the right when traveling west.
Full two story frame structure housing a business and hotel. Property originally owned by Madame Marc Eliché. Purchased in the 1940's by Jules Moreau for a "pressing shop". Also housed a tractor dealership at one time. — — Map (db m121367) HM
On North Main Street (State Highway 107/115) at State Highway 1192, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street.
A Spanish military post was established c.1780 in Marksville by Carlos de Grandpré, Civil Lieutenant Governor of the Red and Ouachita River Settlements to protect the Avoyel Indians from the encroachment of white settlers on Indian lands and to . . . — — Map (db m97870) HM
On South Washington Street north of East Wadill Street, on the right when traveling north.
Founded by the Daughters of the Cross of Treguier, France in 1854 at Hydropolis (Cocoville), and relocated to this site after the Civil War. First Catholic girls' school in Avoyelles Parish. Later became co-educational. — — Map (db m122415) HM
On East Waddil Street, 0.1 miles east of South Washington Street, on the right when traveling east.
Originally located in Hydropolis (Cocoville). Served as the chapel for the Daughters of the Cross and students at Presentation Academy. Later moved after the Civil War to Marksville and attached to the first St. Joseph Church. Moved to the grounds . . . — — Map (db m97771) HM
On South Monroe Street south of West Bon Temps Street, on the right when traveling south.
Built by L. P. Roy, Sr., prominent bank president, State Representative and local entrepreneur. Designed by Favrot and Livaudais of New Orleans in the Arts and Crafts style. Features a tile roof and much use of beveled glass throughout. "Sister" . . . — — Map (db m121196) HM
On North Main Street north of West Bon Temps Street, on the left when traveling north.
Site of general store and post office where Sam Bass mailed Solomon Northup's letter to obtain his freedom from being kidnapped into slavery. Northup was a free man of color living in Saratoga, New York and was hired to play violin in Washington, . . . — — Map (db m122414) HM
On South Washington Street near East Waddil Street, on the right when traveling north.
Founded by Rev. Fr. Jules Janeau in 1869 with worship in a Gothic frame Church. Replaced in 1926 by Msgr. Henry Van de Putten with this Romanesque structure designed by W. T. Nolan. — — Map (db m98023) HM
On West Bon Temps Street, 0.2 miles north of North Monroe Street, on the right when traveling north.
Congregation established in 1881 as a mission from St. James Church in Alexandria. Rev. W.S. Slack was pastor of the church on this site in 1902. — — Map (db m121239) HM
On North Main Street (State Highway 107/115) north of East Mark Street, on the right when traveling north.
Rezin P. Bowie, brother of Alamo hero James Bowie, wrote, “The first Bowie knife was made by myself in the Parish of Avoyelles.” With this knife James killed Norris Wright in the famous Sandbar Fight near Natchez, Miss., Sept. 19, 1827. — — Map (db m98048) HM
On Tunica Drive East (State Highway 1) 0.1 miles north of Medic Drive, on the right when traveling north.
One mile east is the Marksville prehistoric Indian ceremonial center. This site, occupied from 1-400 A.D., was related to the Ohio Hopewell Culture, and was noted for its elaborate trade networks and mortuary ceremonialism. — — Map (db m98269) HM
On Tunica Drive East (State Highway 1) north of Yuroni Trail, on the right when traveling north.
Lands granted to the Tunica tribe by the Spanish government comprise part of the present reservation. The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe is a fusion of the Tunica, Biloxi, Ofo, and Avoyel peoples. — — Map (db m97810) HM
On South Washington Street east of Tunica Drive East (State Highway 1).
Arts and Crafts style home built by Roy Watts and home to Carnot Dupuy for many years. Mr. Dupuy, a pharmacist, was mayor of Marksville in 1920 and also served on the School Board. — — Map (db m103559) HM
On Cottage Street at West Barbin Street, on the right when traveling south on Cottage Street.
A two and one half story Greek Revival frame structure with upper and lower galleries stood here. Built by Edwards on land purchased from Marc Eliche'. Later owned by Judge Aristide Barbin. — — Map (db m98055) HM