POINTS OF INTEREST
ELIZABETH TOWN HALL
Elizabeth is a company town and was built by the Industrial Lumber Company. This quaint little town is known as the “Front Porch Community.” It was mandated by the Industrial Lumber Company that any house built had to have a front porch. The historic Elizabeth Town Hall served as a hospital for the Industrial Lumber Company. It was built in 1924 and still has the rope operated elevator. The building is listed in the National Historic Register for the State of Louisiana.
The Hospital Museum, in the upstairs area of the building, features the original medical equipment steamer in the original surgery room. Also featured is the first Allen Parish movie camera used in the Allen Parish Theatre. Local people say that this building is haunted. Come on in if you are brave enough! Listen to the stories told by the Curators and then begin a ghost busting adventure. Ask the ghosts questions while recording on your phone, maybe you will get your answers! Or listen for unexplained footsteps across floors or up and down the stairs. Beware! Sometimes there are pictures that fall from the walls as well!! Explore the mystery of Elizabeth City Hall, if you dare!
LEATHERWOOD MUSEUM
The Leatherwood Museum dates back to 1888. It is said to have been a railroad company house, boarding house, hospital, family home and museum. The museum, as original as possible after upgrades, including a sleep porch, has a treasure trove of artifacts and history of Allen Parish.
Walking into the front door of the museum will bring you back to a time long ago. The dining room is set with the original furniture and blue carnival dishware. From a walking cane from President Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage Farm to the original tiger oak furniture, there is something for every age group.
The upstairs’ exhibits include displays of early dental and medical equipment, pictures of the 1940’s Great War Maneuvers, held in South Louisiana, prior to WWII. The military uniform exhibit features uniforms from WWI to the Vietnam War. The bedroom has the original bedroom furniture made out of tiger oak. Also featured is the Native Wildlife Exhibit which features 20 animals in their native habitat. The Native American exhibit has one of the largest arrow head and point collection in this area.
Call 800-639-4868 or 318-335-0622 to schedule your tour.
COUSHATTA INDIAN POWWOW
Visitors are invited to witness Native American dancers, in full colorful regalia, from all over the U.S. including Canada, coming together for the Coushatta Powwow Celebration. Come and enjoy all the Native American arts and crafts, food booths and much more. The Powwow is held at the Coushatta Casino Resort. Visit www.coushattapowwow.com for Powwow dates and times.
ALLEN PARISH COURTHOUSE
The Allen Parish Courthouse still resides on the land that was bought on January 27, 1913, for the sum of one dollar. The Courthouse was built in 1914 and still has the original stained glass skylights in the court room.
LIL PINEY PARK
If you have an RV, you are more than welcome to visit Lil Piney Park located in Elizabeth, LA. If you are traveling with a group, come on down, we have plenty of room. A complete hookup is available, showers and bathrooms are also available. We have a nice pavilion, stage and gazebo that you can rent. While enjoying the serene atmosphere of Lil Piney Park, grab a pole and try your hand at fishing, because we have a very nice fishing hole. For reservations, call 318-526-8496.
GRANT CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
For the past 20 years the Grant Christmas Tree Farm has been hosting on the last weekend in November and the first two weeks in December their Christmas Celebration. This event features homemade, big, cat-head biscuits baked in an old fashion wood fired stove, and these biscuits are just like Grandma used to make, then topped with syrup fresh from the mule drawn cane press at the Grant Syrup Mill, served right along with sausage and gravy making this the order of the day! There is a petting zoo for the youngsters, arts and crafts vendors and to top it off you can hop on a rustic wagon and enjoy an old fashioned hayride. Call for early dates to pick out your live Christmas tree.
For more information or to set up your school tour, call 1-800-987-NOEL (6635).
CYCLING TRAILS
The Southern Tier Cycling Trail comes right through Allen Parish on LA Hwy. 26. We have visitors coming from all over the world traveling from San Francisco, CA to St. Augustine, FL. The story from the cyclists is the front tire is dipped in the Pacific Ocean before departing San Francisco, and upon arriving in St. Augustine, the back tire is dipped in the Atlantic Ocean.
Here is a glimpse into Ryan Van Duzer’s Southern Tier Cycling Journey through Allen Parish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW1aC6eBUMI&feature=youtu.be
ALLEN PARISH RETREAT CENTERS
United Methodist Retreat Center
Call 337-738-4218 for more information or reservations.
Reeves Camp Pearl Bible Conference Center
Call 337-666-2443 for more information or reservations.