200px|right|thumb|Veterans monument at the LaSalle Parish Courthouse
LaSalle Parish (French: Paroisse de La Salle) is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 14,791. The parish seat is Jena. The parish was created in 1910 from the western section of Catahoula Parish.
Name
The parish is named for René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle.
There is some confusion as to whether the parish is spelled "LaSalle" (no space) or "La Salle." An example of the latter view can be seen in the photo at right of the sign over the entrance to a "La Salle Parish Courthouse." A photo of this sign is also featured on the main webpage of the LaSalle Parish Clerk of Court, but the parish is consistently spelled "LaSalle" (no space) in the website text. The prevailing spelling of the parish is "LaSalle" (no space), consistent with the U.S. Census since 2011, and as demonstrated for example by a Google Trends comparison of the phrase's different spellings.
History
The parish was established (as the Parish of LaSalle) on July 3, 1908.
In 1908, when Catahoula Parish was split in half and formed LaSalle Parish an immediate struggle developed between the towns of Olla and Jena over the location of the parish courthouse and seat. Jena was subsequently chosen over Olla, the larger and more established community at the time, as the seat of government due to Jena's central location within the newly formed Parish.
Town of Olla
The Town of Olla, incorporated in 1899 is the oldest incorporated town in LaSalle Parish and the Olla State Bank Building is the oldest permanent brick structure in LaSalle Parish. Settled prior to the American Civil War by the descendants of Scotch-Irish or Ulster Scot immigrants. The area around the modern Town of Olla was formerly known as Castor Sulfur Springs with a steamboat port located on nearby Bayou Castor, or locally known as Castor Creek.[5]
In 1891, the Houston, Central Arkansas, and Northern Railroad was constructed in what was then northwest Catahoula Parish miles away from the town of Castor Sulfur Springs. Castor Sulfur Springs community leaders decided that business must be moved to a new site and a railroad station for passenger and commercial services must be constructed along the new trainline to ensure the survival of Castor Sulfur Springs.
Dr. Frank Mills and Mr. J.D. Adams selected 40 acres along the new trainline and constructed a train station and laid out streets for a town-site. This transaction was recorded on February 9, 1891. During this time many names were considered for the new town. After much debate, local leaders agreed the new town shall be named in honor of Miss Olla Mills, daughter of Dr. Frank Mills and sister of Judge W.H. Mills, who were prominent residents of Castor Sulfur Springs. Ms. Olla Mills was very accomplished, intelligent, attractive, and a charming young lady who was instrumental in all community activities. Ms. Olla also served as the as Head of the Olla Military Institute English Department. Miss Olla Mills married Mr. C.C. Young and was laid to rest in the Olla Cemetery in 1901. A portrait of Ms. Olla Mills is available to view inside the Olla Town Hall.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the parish has a total area of , of which is land and (5.7%) is water.
Major highways
- 25px U.S. Highway 84
- 25px U.S. Highway 165
- 25px Louisiana Highway 8
- 25px Louisiana Highway 28
Adjacent parishes
- Caldwell Parish (north)
- Catahoula Parish (east)
- Avoyelles Parish (south)
- Rapides Parish (southwest)
- Grant Parish (west)
- Winn Parish (northwest)
National protected area
- Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge (part)