Cane River

Cane River NHA https://www.nps.gov/crha/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cane_River_National_Heritage_Area The Cane River National Heritage Area is located in the state of Louisiana. The heritage area is known for plantations featuring Creole architecture, as well as numerous other sites that preserve the multi-cultural history of the area. The heritage area includes the town of Natchitoches, Louisiana and its national historic district. Founded in 1714, it is the oldest community in the territory covered by the Louisiana Purchase. Cane River Creole National Historical Park, including areas of Magnolia and Oakland plantations, also is within the heritage area. The Heritage Area begins just south of Natchitoches and extends south and west for about 35 miles (56 kilometers along Cane River Lake and Interstate 49 to Monette's Ferry. Other sites in the heritage area include the Kate Chopin House and the state historic sites of Los Adaes State Historic Site, Fort Jesup, and Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site. More than 300-years of history are etched into the rural landscape of colonial forts, plantations, churches, cemeteries, and homes that comprise Cane River National Heritage Area. Historically, this region lay at the intersection of the French and Spanish Realms in the New World, with the town of Natchitoches originating as an important 18th century trade center. Cane River National Heritage Area in northwestern Louisiana is a largely rural, agricultural landscape known for its historic plantations, its distinctive Creole architecture, and its multi-cultural legacy. The central corridor of the heritage area begins just south of Natchitoches, and extends along both sides of Cane River Lake for approximately 35 miles. The heritage area includes Cane River Creole National Historical Park, seven National Historic Landmarks, three State Historic Sites, and other places. Grand Ecore Visitor Center The US Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center is located at Grand Ecore, a small community about four miles north of Natchitoches, Louisiana, and commands a panoramic view from a bluff 80 feet above the Red River. Roque House Historic house with steep pitched roof, brick walkways leading up to open front porch The Roque House, originally built in 1803, has since been restored and is a great example of French Creole architecture. Melrose Plantation Large white plantation house with large two story porch The Melrose Plantation was built in 1833 and offers regular tours. Cotton Field Cotton field with colorful sunset Beauty is all around in Natchitoches Parish. Cane River Waterway with deck stretching out over water in foreground and homes on other side of water; sunset The Cane River which defines the region is actually an oxbow lake that once was the primary channel of the Red River. Cane River Music Festival The annual Cane River Music Festival celebrates the tradition of live music on the landscape of Cane River Creole National Historical Park. It began with early "juré singing" without instrumentation, evolved into a style that incorporated rhythm and blues with accordion, saxophone, and washboard. Today, contemporary musicians play Creole music inspired by tradition and newer influences. Creole culture was and continues to be a blend of continuity and change. A musician holds a round-bodied cheesebox guitar in both hands at the 2012 music festival. Code Noir The Code Noir initially took shape in Louis XIV’s edict of 1685. Although subsequent decrees modified a few of the code’s provisions, this first document established the main lines for the policing of slavery right up to 1789. Resistance Escape Community The conference “Resistance, Escape, Community: Opposition to Enslavement in North Louisiana and the 19th Century Deep South" connected scholars and grassroots researchers with place-based history. A group of people holding a banner