Caldwell Parish, Louisiana is located in the north-central part of the state, approximately 70 miles from Shreveport. The parish has a population of just under 10,000 people and covers an area of 602 square miles. It is bordered by Ouachita Parish to the north, Franklin Parish to the east, Catahoula Parish to the south, and Jackson Parish to the west.
According to photionary.com, the area was first settled in 1818 by French settlers and was later named after John Caldwell who served as a judge in the area in 1845. The parish has a rich history that includes multiple Civil War battles and Native American culture. Today, it is home to numerous historic sites such as Fort Stirling which was built during the Civil War and is now a museum open to visitors.
Caldwell Parish also offers several attractions for visitors such as Lake D’Arbonne State Park which features camping sites, fishing spots, nature trails, and boat ramps; Bistineau State Park which offers camping sites as well as hiking trails; and Lake Bruin State Park which has both RV sites and primitive campsites available for visitors. Additionally, there are several festivals held in Caldwell Parish throughout the year such as Crawfish Festival in April; Frog Festival in May; Peach Festival in July; Watermelon Festival in August; Cotton Pickin’ Festival in September; Fall Festivals throughout October; Christmas on Main Street during December.
The parish is also home to many famous people including singer/songwriter Tony Joe White (known for his hit song “Polk Salad Annie”) who was born here in 1943; former NFL player Terry Bradshaw who grew up here before going on to play football at Louisiana Tech University; country music artist Jody Miller whose family moved here when she was just 11 years old; author/playwright Tennessee Williams who wrote some of his most famous plays while living here from 1949 until 1951; actor/director Louis Gossett Jr., born here in 1936 before going on to win an Oscar for his role in An Officer and A Gentleman (1982); actress Sela Ward who grew up here before moving on to star on TV shows like Sisters (1991 – 1996) and Once & Again (1999 – 2002).
Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure or simply want to explore some historical sites or take part in one of the many festivals held throughout the year, Caldwell Parish has something for everyone.
Climate and weather in Caldwell Parish, Louisiana
According to act-test-centers.com, Caldwell Parish, Louisiana is a beautiful area to visit all year round. Located in the northern region of the state, it has a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and hot summers. The average annual temperature in the parish is around 65 degrees Fahrenheit, with January being the coldest month and July being the hottest. The average temperature range during the year is between 45 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
In winter, temperatures are typically mild with daytime highs averaging in the mid-50s to low 60s Fahrenheit. Overnight lows usually dip into the mid-30s to low 40s Fahrenheit. While snowfall is uncommon in Caldwell Parish, it does occasionally occur during winter months when temperatures dip below freezing.
Spring brings warmer temperatures with daytime highs typically reaching into the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit by May. Overnight lows usually stay in the mid-50s to low 60s Fahrenheit during this season. Rainfall increases during these months as well, with April being one of the wettest months of the year on average for Caldwell Parish.
The summer months bring hot temperatures with daytime highs often reaching into the 90s or higher throughout June through August. Overnight lows usually stay in the mid-60s to low 70s Fahrenheit during this time of year as well. The area also sees an increase in rainfall during these months due to its proximity to both Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi River systems which can lead to frequent thunderstorms and occasional flooding events if not monitored closely by local authorities.
The fall season brings cooler temperatures once again as daytime highs drop back down into the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit by October while overnight lows dip into the 50s or lower at night once again. Rainfall decreases slightly during this time but can still be quite heavy at times due to hurricane season which lasts through November for Caldwell Parish residents and visitors alike.
Transportation in Caldwell Parish, Louisiana
Caldwell Parish, Louisiana is a great place to visit and explore by car. The parish is served by several major highways, including Interstate 20, US Highway 165, and Louisiana Highway 4. I-20 runs east-west through the parish and provides access to Shreveport and other nearby cities. US Highway 165 also runs north-south through the parish and connects with Monroe to the north and Alexandria to the south. Louisiana Highway 4 runs east-west across the northern part of the parish, connecting with both Shreveport and Ruston.
For those who prefer public transportation, Caldwell Parish has a number of bus routes that serve its cities and towns. The Shreveport Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) operates local bus routes in Shreveport as well as express routes that connect with other nearby cities in Louisiana. There is also a Greyhound bus station located in downtown Shreveport for those who want to travel further distances by bus or coach.
For those who prefer rail transportation, Amtrak’s City of New Orleans line provides service from Chicago through St Louis to New Orleans with stops at various points along its route in Caldwell Parish including Columbia, Grayson, Hodge, Jonesboro, Kelly, Logansport, Pineville Junction, Quitman Junction and Wisner.
For air travelers Caldwell Parish is served by several airports located within its borders including Columbia Regional Airport (COL), Grayson County Airport (GRA), Jonesboro Municipal Airport (JON), Kelly Industrial Airpark (KEL), Logansport Municipal Airport (LOG) as well as two private airports located near Pineville Junction (PJN) and Wisner (WSN). The closest major airport is Shreveport Regional Airport which provides domestic service from multiple airlines including American Airlines/American Eagle Airlines/US Airways/Delta Air Lines/United Express/Southwest Airlines/Air Canada Express/Alaska Airlines/JetBlue Airways/Frontier Airlines among others.
Caldwell Parish also offers taxi services within its borders from several local companies such as All American Cab Company which serves both Shreveport and Bossier City areas as well as Yellow Cab which serves all of North Louisiana. Uber also provides ridesharing services within Caldwell Parish for those looking for an alternative way of getting around without having to drive themselves or rely on public transportation options.
Cities and towns in Caldwell Parish, Louisiana
Caldwell Parish is located in the North Central region of Louisiana and is home to a number of cities and towns. The largest and most populous city in the parish is Columbia, which has a population of just over 3,000 people. Columbia is home to some of the best restaurants, shopping, and entertainment in the area. It also has a variety of outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, boating, camping, and more.
The city of Grayson is located in the southern part of the parish and has a population of just over 1,000 people. The city offers a variety of attractions such as golf courses, parks, museums, and historic sites. It also has some unique shops that feature local craftsmen as well as antique stores and galleries.
The town of Hodge is situated near Grayson in the south-central part of Caldwell Parish. It has a population of around 500 people and is known for its historic sites such as Fort Hodge which was built during the Civil War era. The town also offers some unique shops that feature local artisans and craftspeople as well as antique stores.
The city of Jonesboro is located in the northern part of Caldwell Parish near Ruston and Shreveport. It has a population of around 2,500 people and features some popular attractions such as historical sites like Fort Beauregard which was built during the Civil War era as well as museums like The Museum at Jonesboro which showcases artifacts from different eras throughout history.
According to countryaah, the town Kelly lies at the crossroads between Grayson and Jonesboro in Caldwell Parish with a population close to 300 people. It offers visitors plenty to do with its many outdoor activities such as fishing on Lake Kelly or exploring nearby trails for hiking or biking through nature reserves like Kelly Creek Natural Area or Caney Creek Wildlife Management Area.
Logansport is located further north from Jonesboro in Caldwell Parish near Shreveport with just over 1,000 residents living there today. The town features numerous attractions including historic homes like Logansport Plantation which was built by one of Louisiana’s most prominent families back in 1845 or John McLean House which dates back to 1854 both offering guided tours for visitors to learn about their history first hand along with other nearby attractions like Logansport State Park where visitors can enjoy camping activities by day or star gazing by night while surrounded by nature’s beauty on all sides making it an ideal destination for anyone looking for an outdoors adventure experience close to home within Caldwell Parish boundaries.
