Natchitoches – Louisiana’s Oldest Town

Our Journey continues, this time in a northern direction, as we leave the very friendly Betty’s RV park in the far south of Louisiana.  Why go north at this time of year as the temps are plummeting?  Well, that’s a good question, but the answer is to have Thanksgiving with family in the Dallas Texas area.  Our three day stopover on the way to Dallas was near the very inviting small town of Natchitoches Louisiana.  What a gem!

Our drive was 182 miles through a constant light rain all day on a rather cool day at only about 45 for the high.  A good day to stay in by the fireplace, but it was time to move on.

Imagine a several blocks long riverfront area filled with historic buildings housing multiple shops, galleries, restaurants and museums.  Across the street is a beautifully landscaped park that runs along the Cane River Lake.  This is a lake that used to be a river until it changed course leaving this cool river-lake along the riverwalk.

Natchitoches (pronounced Nak-a-tish), is a Caddo Indian word meaning Chinquapin eaters.  Some of the interesting history includes it being the oldest lasting settlement in the Louisiana Purchase, dating back to 1714.

In 1927, Max Burgdorf arranged to have the historic riverfront area strung with Christmas lights (LINK).  The early entrepreneur wanted to bring in the holiday shoppers.  That tradition continues today with over 300,000 lights strung overhead.  They are first lit on November 17th and continue until just after New Years.  This has earned them the nickname: City of Lights.

The historic area has a very French look as the buildings are mostly in the New Orleans style with many iron porch railings.

Natchitoches is the home of the 1989 hit movie “Steel Magnolia,” and has dramatically increased the town’s tourism since.  While I have not seen this chick flick, Pat has informed me that she saw it twice.  The house used in the movie is still there as a Bed and Breakfast.  This town has 50 B & B’s!

It certainly is a tourist destination with many things to do, festivals every month, and a growing retirement community.  Some other notes:

• We stopped in several shops including two art galleries and talked to the very friendly hosts.  Found several good places for lunch.
• They have an amazing hardware store, Kaffie-Frederick.  Established in 1863, this store is a landmark and has a large and diverse selection of everything!
• Lunch was at Maglieaux’s, was very good.  I had the shrimp and grits and Pat had fried shrimp and a salad.  Then it was back walking along the boardwalk.
• The town’s food specialty is a meat pie as offered by several places.  Did not try it.
• We did go to the history/sports museum.  Some interesting displays, although it was very heavy on the sports history, which we were not that interested.

This is a town that we would like to return and visit again.  Our stop was for just three nights.  The first night was the rainy arrival and the other was doing chores and laundry, leaving just one day to explore the town.

We are now in the Dallas area for a week to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with family.  Thanks for stopping by and subscribe to the blog!  Leave a comment if you wish.

Take care and God Bless.