Columbia and Caldwell Parish

    Caldwell Parish was established on March 6, 1830 by a bill in the legislature, signed by Governor E. D. White. The land was taken from Ouachita and Catahoula Parishes. The parish was named for a prominent family living in the area. A family member, Robert Caldwell, born in 1831, practiced law and later became a parish judge in Caldwell Parish until his death.

    The U.S. Survey into sections and ranges in Caldwell Parish was begun on 1850. The first post office established in the parish was at Copenhagen on August 25, 1834. The Columbia Post Office was established August 9, 1837. The steam boating era on the Ouachita River through Caldwell Parish was 1819-1927. Railroads were completed through the parish between 1888 and 1890.

At your leisure, please enjoy...

Main Street

    Restoration of one of the most interesting and historic downtowns in Louisiana began in 1993. Its Main Street is typical in that it was built around the courthouse Square... yet atypical in that it ends on the riverfront. Shops offer diverse wares, including exquisite antiques, family clothing, contemporary gifts, Louisiana crafts and products, heirloom sewing. Relaxed dining with a local flair, and authentic riverfront saloon (the oldest on the Ouachita ). A "Memory Lane" including tribute lights and street furniture adds to the cityscape of the old downtown portion of the Historic District.

The Schepis Museum

    With architecture resembling a grand European opera palace, the structure was built c. 1916 by an Italian immigrant, who was so proud of his heritage that he molded giant statues and placed them atop his building as tributes to his past and future homelands. The statues are of Christopher Columbus and George Washington, each holding the flag of his country. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Schepis Building has been renovated as a museum in tribute to the area and its history. It features permanent exhibits of photographs taken along the Ouachita River by Columbia native Glenn Gore. There is a gift shop in the main museum gallery. The exhibits change several times yearly, call (318) 649-9931 for information. Open Tues.-Sat. 9:00-5:00.

Martin Home Place c. 1878

    Tour this authentic living history museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and enjoy sights and sounds of  "the good ole days." Hosted by ladies of the Louisiana Art and Folk Festival, you'll see demonstrations of quilting, tatting, pine basketry and other folk arts as practiced by past generation. Gift shop is on the premises and lunch is served on Thursday by reservation only. The Martin Home Place is open Thursday and Friday (10:00- 4:00). Call (318) 649-6722.

First Methodist Church

    Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Columbia's famous "little green church" is perhaps the town's signature. Patterned after a Scandinavian house of worship, it was built in 1911 on the present site, where its first congregation began in 1847.

The Meditation Chapel

    This small yet magnificent chapel was built as a prayer room and serves as a quiet place of solitude for all. It is located on the corner of Church Street and Boatner Street and is home to a countless collection of religious artworks, dating back to the 15th century, from all over the world.  The courtyard features Victorious, a magnificent bronze statue of an angel holding a wounded Christian martyr. A rare pink marble statue from Belgium of Mary and Christ adorns the chapel ground. The chapel itself contains a set of Gothic period chairs, which came from an ancient European church. The prayer rails are from the Isle of Mann, and the different prie dieus came from France and other parts of Europe. The head of Christ is hand-carved from wood and was a gift personally presented to Louisiana Governor John H. McKeithen by Pope John Paul during his visit to the Vatican. This rare and precious gift was later given to Mrs. Marie Adams; it is her family who graciously shares the chapel and works of art. The chapel was built in the style of an Episcopal Church in St. Joseph, Louisiana. The magnificent stained glass windows are mostly American.

Cemetery on the Hill

    A ride or walk up the winding Cemetery Hill path affords what must be one of the most breathtaking views in North Louisiana. Dogwoods and Azaleas in the springtime, brilliant golden leaves in autumn--serene beauty year- round.

The Captains Quarters

    This 104 year-old home, formerly known as the Ferrand House, has been carefully moved to its present location at 103 Main Street and borders the Ouachita River. Current owner Emma Jean Richardson, her son Greg and daughter Vicki saved the old home from an uncertain future in 2003. Loved and respected for detailed preservation, the home is now open for the enjoyment of all and has been renamed the Captain's Quarter's Bed and Breakfast. Restoration of the old home has carried on the theme of fond remembrance of its river heritage. The home was built by or for river boat captains. The historic steamboat theme is immediately observed through the iron fencing and captains wheel gate. The antique front door welcomes visitors with a unique etching of an old river boat and is perhaps depicting the USS Louisiana. Inside, restoration of original beaded boards, wainscoting, facing, wooden floors, mantels and door hardware supports the rarely found era of construction along with the wrap around porch and floor to ceiling windows. a unique cornice along the side of the house provides yet another aspect to this home.

Main Street Columbia

    Named as one of Louisiana 26 Main Street Towns, as officially designated by the State Division of Historic Preservation. Columbia's program actually began as a joint effort between the Town of Columbia and the Caldwell Parish Industrial Development Board.  The Main Street program stresses economic revitalization through historic preservation of a community's downtown area. Columbia was the recipient of one of 6 "Success Story" awards presented statewide by the Office of Tourism at the 1995 Annual Rural Tourism Conference in New Iberia/Abbeville.

Lake Duchesne Project

    The Caldwell Parish Industrial Development Board, along with the Duchesne Lake Commission, is developing a lake in the Bayou Duchesne Watershed near Columbia. The lake will serve as a base for recreational development in the naturally scenic area of "de Chene Hills," and will also serve as a top quality fresh water supply for municipal use. The projects under construction for economic development opportunities in this location include a recreational vehicle park and campground, a hotel, a golf course, and a retirement residential community.

Levee Stabilization Project

    (U.S. army Corps of Engineers project, completed September 1995) Levee stabilization is a result of $2.5 million emergency Congressional appropriation allocated in 1993.The flood of '91 resulted in levee washouts along the Columbia side of the Ouachita River, placing the town in danger. The Tensas Basin Levee Board has cooperated with the Caldwell Parish Industrial Development Board and the Town of Columbia to build a set of concrete steps leading from the top of the levee to the river in order to gain access to the river A scenic overlook is in the final stages of development, and uses the historic foundation of the original bridge at the foot of Main Street as its first tier. A dock facility for recreational boating, and a welcoming gateway have also been constructed as part of this project, bringing Columbia back in contact with its roots as a riverboat community.

Copenhagen Hills

    Major pale ontological and botanical site, located about 7 miles southeast of Columbia is currently under the direction of ULM as an educational facility.  This is a rare site for 38 million year old fossils of whales, sharks, reptiles, and birds; also a botanical preserve with many rare species of plants (some found only on this site). It was originally a historic Danish settlement of the late 1700's or early 1800's.