If you’re in southwestern Louisiana today, you have a reason to celebrate. On March 24, 1840, Calcasieu Parish existed for the first time. Officials named Comasaque Bluff the county seat. In later months, Comasaque Bluff changed to Marsh Bayou Bluff. Before the end of the year, on December 8, 1840, the town named changed again. This time to its present day name: Marion.
Calcasieu Parish was the largest parish in the state in 1840. As the years passed, officials divided it into five smaller parishes. Together, they make up the Imperial Calcasieu. Local planter and businessman Jacob Ryan donated land in Lake Charles to have the county seat moved there. This was 1852.
Calcasieu is an Atakapa word meaning crying eagle. This was the name of an Atakapa chief the French colonists applied to the river. When the Spanish controlled the area, they called the river the Rio Hondo River.
Jury men David Simmons, Alexander Hebert, Michel Pithon, Henry Moss, Rees Perkins, and Thomas M. Williams met on August 24, 1840, at the large, rough-hewed home of Arsense LeBleu near present day Chloe. At this first meeting of Calcasieu Parish, they elected the parish constable, treasurer, two assessors, a clerk, and the operator of the ferry at Buchanan’s crossing. They ruled in favor of Comasaque Bluff as the county seat over Lisbon. The assessors had two months and a salary of $90 to assess all parish property. At their second meeting, on September 14, 1840, the jury men authorized a survey of land in Marsh Bayou Bluff for a courthouse and jail.
History doesn’t write itself. What I find interesting is how often Comasaque Bluff changed name in a little over eight months. The map makers of the day must have been pulling their hair out. You can read more about the history of Calcasieu Parish here.
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What I’m Reading – Many readers I know like to inquire what their favorite author is reading. At the end of each blog post, I’ll let you know what book is open on my Kindle. I hope my choice of reading material inspires you to read a variety of authors and topics. Currently, I’m reading Eclipse of the Triple Moons by Kenneth Brown.