Near Louisiana Avenue east of Colorado Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
Side A In honor of the troopers and families of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment for their dedicated service and support to Fort Polk, LA from 1993 - 2005 "Toujours Pret" Side BRCSM OF THE REGIMENT CSM Ron . . . — — Map (db m38365) HM
Near Louisiana Avenue east of Colorado Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
This monument is dedicated to the soldiers of 5th Infantry Division (Mech) who participated in Operation Just Cause (Dec. 1989) in Panama and to the following soldiers who lost their lives while serving in Panama. CPL Ivan Perez Co B, 4th BN, 6th . . . — — Map (db m38357) HM
Near Louisiana Avenue east of Colorado Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
In honor of the soldiers and families of the 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) for their dedicated service and support to Fort Polk, Louisiana 21 September 1975 to 21 November 1992 RED DEVILS! — — Map (db m38361) HM
Near Louisiana Avenue east of Colorado Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
We will not forget our heritage families for they are unsung heroes who surrendered their homes and way of life for the sake of this nation. — — Map (db m38363) HM
Near Louisiana Avenue east of Colorado Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
In honor of those who served 1940-1990 in appreciation to Fort Polk for its outstanding contribution and service to the defense of our nation — — Map (db m38366) HM
Near Louisiana Avenue east of Colorado Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
The Global War on Terrorism monument honors the Fort Polk soldiers, families and civilians whose support and sacrifice will forever be remembered — — Map (db m38362) WM
Near Louisiana Avenue east of Colorado Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
We will not forget our heritage families for they are unsung heroes who surrendered their homes and way of life for the sake of this nation — — Map (db m38364) HM
Near Louisiana Avenue east of Colorado Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
"In memory of Second Brigade soldiers who have lost their lives while faithfully serving their country. Their lives were characterized by integrity, courage, dedication and patriotism. These soldierly qualities earned them the respect and admiration . . . — — Map (db m38359) HM
On South Carolina Avenue north of Bell Richard Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Activated at Camp Polk 1 March 1942 Northern France Rhineland Ardennes Alsace Central Europe Belgian Fourragere Home Station Fort Polk Presented by the Seventh Armored Division Association in honor of those who gave their lives in the service of . . . — — Map (db m38360) HM
Near Fullerton Lake Road, 0.3 miles west of State Highway 399, on the right when traveling west.
Fullerton Elementary is in the foreground & the high school is in the background (photo at right). After school hours the Masons & Eastern Star groups met upstairs in the elementary school. Public education in the Louisiana was free during the . . . — — Map (db m191324) HM
On Pitkin Highway (Highway 10) near Parish Road 366, on the right when traveling east.
Center Panel In 1906 Samuel Holmes Fullerton organized the Gulf Lumber Company. The company purchased
106,000 acres of timber for $6,000,000 and invested more than $3,500,000 in buildings and machinery
to construct a mill. Built entirely of . . . — — Map (db m190218) HM
On Fullerton Lake Road, 0.7 miles south of Highway 399, on the left when traveling south.
Fullerton Recreation Area was the site of the
largest pine sawmill West of the
Mississippi River. Between 1907 - 1927, it was
a thriving town of 5000 people. The
industrial area had sawmills, alcohol plant,
kiln, and machine shop. A nearby . . . — — Map (db m191937) HM
On Fullerton Lake Road, 1 mile south of State Highway 399, on the right when traveling south.
The pavilion was one
of the main
centers of community life at Fullerton.
Social events were frequently held at
the pavilion. Dances were a major
attraction for local towns people and
every Saturday the Fullerton Band held
concerts.
Other . . . — — Map (db m191325) HM
On Fullerton Lake Road, 0.8 miles south of State Highway 399, on the left when traveling south.
Panel 1 The Fullerton story begins in 1890 when the Wright-Blodgett
Lumber Company of Illinois purchased large tracts of pine
timberlands in Vernon parish. With the coming of the railroad
in 1897, the Gulf Lumber Company purchased 106,000 acres . . . — — Map (db m191326) HM
Near Fullerton Lake Road, 0.3 miles west of State Highway 399, on the right when traveling west.
Fullerton was one of only a few cities in
Louisiana that had a public swimming
pool. The swimming pool was located
across the road from the hotel. The
pool was a modern concrete pool with
diving boards & slides. A constant
stream of fresh . . . — — Map (db m191323) HM
On Fullerton Lake Road, 1 mile south of State Highway 399, on the left when traveling south.
Two Sawmills were built at Fullerton, the timber &
board mill. The timber mill produced large framing
timbers & the board mill produced boards of various
sizes. Both sawmills were build entirely of steel, iron, &
concrete, no wood or other . . . — — Map (db m191578) HM
On Nolan Trace Parkway (Louisiana Route 8) at Biscamp Road, on the left when traveling east on Nolan Trace Parkway.
(center panel)
A Back Door of the United States
Throughout its history, Burr Ferry has stood as an important location in western Louisiana. Many Texas cattlemen relied on Burr Ferry to cross the Sabine river in order to drive their . . . — — Map (db m109522) HM
On Nolan Trace Parkway (State Highway 8) at Biscamp Road, on the left when traveling east on Nolan Trace Parkway.
On July 2, 1863 during the Red River Campaign, Confederate Major General John Bankhead MacGruder issued orders that East facing fortifications be built in 3 locations along the Sabine-Niblett's Bluff, Burr's Ferry, and Logansport. Constructed first . . . — — Map (db m109407) HM
On 3rd Street north of East Lula Street, on the right when traveling north.
The United States Army GHQ (General Headquarters) Maneuvers of 1941, were the largest training exercises ever conducted by the U.S. Army. From the maneuvers, the U.S. learned valuable lessons in military strategy which would help it succeed in W.W. . . . — — Map (db m38333) HM
On 3rd Street at East Fertitta Boulevard, on the right when traveling north on 3rd Street.
The Mission Revival style Kansas City Southern Depot opened in 1916. It symbolizes the great Vernon Parish lumber boom of the early 20th century. Closed in 1968, Kansas City Southern leased the Depot to Vernon Parish. Placed on the National Register . . . — — Map (db m38334) HM
On South 3rd Street near East Fertitta Boulevard, on the right when traveling north.
Center Panel Western Boundary of a Lawless Land
When Spain and America formed an official neutral buffer in western Louisiana in order to set the boundary of the Louisiana Purchase, the Sabine River
stood as the western border of that . . . — — Map (db m225135) HM
On Pitkin Highway (State Highway 10) 1 mile south of Lookout Road, on the right when traveling east.
From 1940 to 1944, American soldiers participated in the Louisiana Maneuvers. The Louisiana Maneuvers consisted of a series of war games each year, but two major war games, one
in 1940 and one in 1941, are most remembered. The exercises tested the . . . — — Map (db m211223) HM
On 3rd Street at East Courthouse Street, on the left when traveling north on 3rd Street.
Lee and Syril Eissman Building has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior — — Map (db m38330) HM
On Nolan Trace (State Highway 8) east of John Paul Jones Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
Born in Ireland and well educated, Nolan immigrated to America where he
became associated with General James Wilkinson in Kentucky. He represented
Wilkinson's business affairs in Natchez and New Orleans. In 1791 he traveled to
Texas and returned . . . — — Map (db m224366) HM
On South 5th Street (U.S. 171) south of West South Street, on the right when traveling south.
Construction on the first Catholic Church in Leesville was begun by Father Q. Vanderburg in 1913. The church was blessed by the Right Reverend Bishop Cornelius Van de Ven on April 26, 1914. The first resident administrator was The Reverend Dennis A. . . . — — Map (db m86791) HM
On North 5th Street (U.S. 171) at Ian's End, on the right when traveling north on North 5th Street.
Only soldier from Louisiana to serve under General John J. Pershing's "One Hundred Heroes" in World War I, Company B, 28th Infantry. Received Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Service Medal. — — Map (db m86665) HM
On Abe Allen Memorial Drive, 0.2 miles north of Jean Street, on the left when traveling north.
Center Panel Abraham Lincoln "Abe" Allen was born on April 19, 1896. His parents were Lacy Marie Nash and John Louis Allen. He grew up around Leesville and Walnut
Hill, and he volunteered for service in the Army on Jan. 16, 1917. He was assigned . . . — — Map (db m225132) HM
The Hicks Property of the First Baptist Church given by Joe J. Jicks in memory of his wife Dorris Reed Hicks and his mother May Smart Hicks. Dedicated September 9, 1984 To God's Glory — — Map (db m224408) HM
On Mechanic Street at North 1st Street, on the left when traveling east on Mechanic Street.
Organized in 1898, the Nona Mills Lumber Company of Nona, Texas established a saw mill at Leesville in 1899. Company officers were Pres. F.L. Carroll, Vice Pres. G.R. Ferguson, Sec. Treas. J.N. Gilbert, and Asst. Treas. L.B. Pikin. Serviced by its . . . — — Map (db m38340) HM
On 3rd Street north of East Texas Street, on the left when traveling north.
Has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior Originally a U.S. Post Office, this building later housed the Red Hound Bar, which opened in the 1930's. During the Great Louisiana . . . — — Map (db m38343) HM
On 3rd Street at East Texas Street, on the left when traveling north on 3rd Street.
Has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior Established in 1899 as the "Bank of Leesville" on this site. The first bank in Leesville/Vernon Parish. Founded by Mr. George R. Ferguson . . . — — Map (db m38344) HM
On Lake Charles Highway (U.S. 171) 0.2 miles north of Section Line Road, on the right when traveling south. Reported permanently removed.
At the 24th annual session of the Sabine Association, Oct. 16, 1871, delegates from the First District petitioned for Letters of Dismission for the purpose of forming the Vernon Baptist Association. Signing for the churches were: Benjamin Franklin . . . — — Map (db m109437) HM
On South 3rd Street at East South Street on South 3rd Street.
At the 24th annual session of the Sabine Association, Oct. 16, 1871, delegates from the First District petitioned for Letters of Dismission for the purpose of forming the Vernon Baptist Association. Signing for the churches were: Benjamin Franklin . . . — — Map (db m224365) HM
On 3rd Street north of East Lula Street, on the right when traveling north.
John R. Smart "Father of Vernon Parish" introduced act to create parish. Served in Louisiana House and Senate before and after war between the states: signed 1852 Louisiana Constitution. Named Leesville for Gen. Robert E. Lee. A successful planter, . . . — — Map (db m38346) HM
On 3rd Street at East Lula Street, on the right when traveling north on 3rd Street.
Dedicated to the glory of God and in reverent memory of those in Vernon Parish who gave their lives in service for their country. — — Map (db m38347) HM
Near Johnsonville Road, 1.5 miles south of Pitkin Highway (State Highway 10), on the right when traveling south.
Rivers & streams flowing across broad coastal plains 24-30
million years ago (during the Oligocene period) deposited
sediments making up the Catahoula Formation. The Catahoula
formation, found in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, consists
of . . . — — Map (db m126069) HM
On Pitkin Highway (Highway 10) near usfs 421 Road, on the right when traveling north.
Center Panel An Early Home for Early People
The Wolf Rock site is best described as two small rock overhangs overlooking Bundick Creek. The site is the only known rock overhang in Louisiana used by the area's indigenous people. The overhang . . . — — Map (db m211229) HM
On Stanton Street, 0.1 miles west of U.S. 171, on the left when traveling west.
In 1914 Job Harriman and other socialists established the Llano
Del Rio Colony 45 miles north of Los Angeles California, in
Antelope Valley. In 1917 the colony relocated to Louisiana
where it had purchased the former sawmill town of Stables.
The . . . — — Map (db m208278) HM
On Pitkin Highway (State Highway 10) at Highway 377, on the right when traveling east on Pitkin Highway.
In 1862, when Federal troops captured
New Orleans and blockaded the mouth of
the Mississippi River, Confederate forces
under Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor established
headquarters in central Louisiana
where they successfully stopped
Maj. Gen. . . . — — Map (db m125181) HM
On Middle Street north of Pitkin Highway (State Highway 10/113), on the left when traveling north.
Center Panel Carving a home from the rough landscape of No Man's Land was no easy task. The wilderness crawled with dangers, and for most, gathering
up enough food to feed the family was an onerous job. Slowly, the hardy residents of the region . . . — — Map (db m191581) HM
On Johnnie B Hall Memorial Highway (U.S. 171) at Evans Street, on the right when traveling north on Johnnie B Hall Memorial Highway.
Incorporated December 24, 1902 by proclamation of Governor William Wright Heard. Town established on Sections 3 and 4 of Township 25, Range 9W. During the Vernon Parish lumber boom, Rosepine consisted of a school, drugstore, barbershop, two . . . — — Map (db m109439) HM
On Pitkin Highway (Highway 10) 1 mile east of Lookout Road, on the left when traveling east.
CCC planted these slash pine
in 1939 in Kisatchie National
Forest. CCC reforestation and
construction of dams, roads,
fire towers and recreation
areas (1933-42) contributed
to a rebirth in Vernon
Parish's forest industry. — — Map (db m125536) HM
On State Highway 8/465, 0.2 miles east of Highway 465, on the left when traveling east.
Second oldest continuously active Church of God in Louisiana.
Began by Robert H. Owens, 1897. 1st named Welcome Church of God.
1st convert was James Harville. Early converts from Pine Island
Methodist and Mt. Pleasant Christian Church. W. H. . . . — — Map (db m176292) HM
On Victor Martin Road, 3 miles north of Louisiana Highway 112, on the right when traveling north.
Center Panel Unexplained Tradition Connected to Unique Local Culture
Gravehouses are unusual historical structures built to protect the graves of the deceased. Though rare, they can be found in older
cemeteries across . . . — — Map (db m225689) HM
On Victor Martin Road, 0.7 miles north of J Thibodeaux Loop, on the right when traveling north.
Established by members of the Talbert and Pierson families, pioneers who first settled in the area in the 1860's. Thirteen graves are covered with unique grave houses. The origins of grave houses are uncertain-some tracing the beginnings to European . . . — — Map (db m86790) HM