LaSalle Parish, Louisiana

The parish is named for René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle. There is some confusion as to whether the parish is spelled "LaSalle" (no space) or "La Salle." An example of the latter view can be seen in the photo at right of the sign over the entrance to a "La Salle Parish Courthouse." A photo of this sign is also featured on the main webpage of the LaSalle Parish Clerk of Court, but the parish is consistently spelled "LaSalle" (no space) in the website text. The prevailing spelling of the parish is "LaSalle" (no space), consistent with the U.S. Census since 2011, and as demonstrated for example by a Google Trends comparison of the phrase's different spellings. ==History==

The parish was established (as the Parish of LaSalle) on July 3, 1908. In 1908, when Catahoula Parish was split in half and formed LaSalle Parish an immediate struggle developed between the towns of Olla and Jena over the location of the parish courthouse and seat. Jena was subsequently chosen over Olla, the larger and more established community at the time, as the seat of government due to Jena's central location within the newly formed Parish. ==Town of Olla==

The Town of Olla, incorporated in 1899 is the oldest incorporated town in LaSalle Parish and the Olla State Bank Building is the oldest permanent brick structure in LaSalle Parish. Settled prior to the American Civil War by the descendants of Scotch-Irish or Ulster Scot immigrants. The area around the modern Town of Olla was formerly known as Castor Sulfur Springs with a steamboat port located on nearby Bayou Castor, or locally known as Castor Creek.[5] In 1891, the Houston, Central Arkansas, and Northern Railroad was constructed in what was then northwest Catahoula Parish miles away from the town of Castor Sulfur Springs. Castor Sulfur Springs community leaders decided that business must be moved to a new site and a railroad station for passenger and commercial services must be constructed along the new trainline to ensure the survival of Castor Sulfur Springs. Dr. Frank Mills and Mr. J.D. Adams selected 40 acres along the new trainline and constructed a train station and laid out streets for a town-site. This transaction was recorded on February 9, 1891. During this time many names were considered for the new town. After much debate, local leaders agreed the new town shall be named in honor of Miss Olla Mills, daughter of Dr. Frank Mills and sister of Judge W.H. Mills, who were prominent residents of Castor Sulfur Springs. Ms. Olla Mills was very accomplished, intelligent, attractive, and a charming young lady who was instrumental in all community activities. Ms. Olla also served as the as Head of the Olla Military Institute English Department. Miss Olla Mills married Mr. C.C. Young and was laid to rest in the Olla Cemetery in 1901. A portrait of Ms. Olla Mills is available to view inside the Olla Town Hall. ==Geography==

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the parish has a total area of , of which is land and (5.7%) is water. Major highways • U.S. Highway 84 • U.S. Highway 165 • Louisiana Highway 8 • Louisiana Highway 28 Adjacent parishes • Caldwell Parish (north) • Catahoula Parish (east) • Avoyelles Parish (south) • Rapides Parish (southwest) • Grant Parish (west) • Winn Parish (northwest) National protected area • Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge (part) ==Demographics==

2020 census As of the 2020 census, there were 14,791 people, 5,140 households, and 3,643 families residing in the parish. The median age was 38.1 years; 21.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.3% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 114.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 115.7 males age 18 and over. Less than 0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas. There were 5,140 households in the parish, of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.8% were married-couple households, 17.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2000, there were 14,282 people, 5,291 households, and 3,798 families residing in the parish. The population density was . There were 6,273 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the parish was 86.13% White, 12.20% Black or African American, 0.64% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 0.82% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 5,291 households, out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were married couples living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.03. In the parish the population was spread out, with 26.10% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 100.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.20 males. The median income for a household in the parish was $28,189, and the median income for a family was $36,197. Males had a median income of $27,431 versus $19,697 for females. The per capita income for the parish was $14,033. About 14.90% of families and 18.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.70% of those under age 18 and 18.90% of those age 65 or over. ==National Guard==

The 1087TH Transportation Company of the 165TH CSS (combat service support) Battalion of the 139TH RSG (regional support group) resides in Jena, Louisiana. ==Communities==

Towns • Jena • Olla • Tullos • Urania Unincorporated areas Census-designated place • Good Pine • Midway • Trout Other unincorporated communities • Standard • Summerville ==Notable people==

• Thomas "Bud" Brady, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1976 to 1988 • Mike Francis, former Louisiana Republican state chairman • Henry E. Hardtner, lumberman known as "Louisiana's first conservationist", member of both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature, LaSalle Parish police juror, founder of Urania • Speedy O. Long, state senator, U.S. representative, district attorney • Jeffery Simmons, Football player for the Tennessee Titans ==Politics==

LaSalle Parish has been staunchly Republican since 1956, except in 1968 when it voted strongly for American Independent nominee George Wallace. Prior to that, it had been heavily Democratic, but no Democratic nominee since 1956 besides Jimmy Carter has passed forty percent of the parish's vote, with Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris not even reaching double digits. In 2008 John McCain's performance was the strongest of any Republican in Parish history; every subsequent presidential election through 2024 has broken this record. ==See also==