Natchitoches, Louisiana, is the sister city of Nacogdoches. It was originally a French colony, established in 1714. It's about 120 miles east of Nac. Once there, I headed straight for the thirty-three block Historic District.
Down along the Cane River, each lamppost (of which there were several) had two speakers through which holiday music was piped in. It was surreal but wonderful.
Church of the Immaculate Conception - The history of the church dates back to the very early 1700s. The present church at Church and Second Streets was built in 1857 and completed in 1892. 
The Old Courthouse building, which now houses the Old Courthouse Museum, is an example of a style labeled Richardsonian Romanesque. Popular between 1880-1900, the style contained characteristics such as rough-faced masonry, heavy rounded arches and towers. It was constructed in 1896.
On the corner across the street from both the Church of the Immaculate Conception and the Old Courthouse building, the Central Fire Station sits in lime green, Art Deco indifference.
L.H. Johnson Wholesale Sales Co. - still in business as a tobacco wholesaler.
Ohhhhh so that's how it's pronounced!
ReplyDeleteDoes that mean we should pronounce Nacogdoches as:
ReplyDeleteNak-uh-douche
While it sounds better, "Exquisitely Bored in Natchitoches" is much more difficult to read.
ReplyDeleteHello, What a surprise to see my 'Home Town' mentioned. I lived there for 42 years and currently can't wait to get back. So you missed the Christmas Festival? You wouldn't have been so bored, the firwework display is the best I have seen. The festival has been going on for about 80 years, and has been held on the first weekend in December since 1927. Called the Festival of Lights and Christmas Festival, it's one of the nation's oldest community-based holiday celebrations. Parades, food and parties, and the fireworks are spectacular. If you get a chance to visit again you should. And try the meat pies. Lasyones Meat Pies are the best. I'm about to order some sent to me here in Fl. Check it out.
ReplyDeleteOh, the story of how Natchitoches and Nacogdoches were founded. Here it is: legend tells of an old Caddo Indian Chief who lived near the Sabine River, the border between Tx & La, that had twin sons. When the sons grew to manhood and were ready to become leaders of their own tribes Chief Caddo sent one brother three days eastward toward the rising sun, the other three days toward the setting sun and after three days they were to begin a settlement. The brothers settled as he told them. The one that went east was named Natchitoches, and the one that went west was named Nacogdoches. What a story. Natchitoches is the oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase and Nacogdoches is the oldest settlement in Texas.
Well take care and hope you visit again soon.
Don L. III
Meat pies? Yuck.
ReplyDeleteThe meat pies are fabulous! I wish i knew what exactly was in them and how to make them
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DeleteHey Chris! Ran across this while searching for Star Trek merchandise! Small World! We need to catch up!
ReplyDeleteTom Combs