Columbia, Louisiana

Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Columbia is a town in and the parish seat of Caldwell Parish, Louisiana, United States.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> The population was 277 in 2020.<ref name=":0" />

History

The land that became Columbia was first cleared by Daniel Humphries in 1827. A store was built a few years later the only settlement between Monroe, Louisiana, and the settlements of the Black River was formed. The harbor became a busy port for shipping cotton by steamboats and Packet boats until the arrival of the railroad. In February 1864 Columbia was the location of a skirmish between Federal and Confederate troops during the Civil War and there are several plantations in the area.<ref>Google books: The WPA Guide to Louisiana: The Pelican State; "Columbia"- Retrieved March 11, 2017</ref>

Geography

Columbia is located just east of the center of Caldwell Parish on the southwest bank of the Ouachita River. U.S. Route 165 passes through the center of town and bridges the river, leading north Template:Convert to Monroe and south Template:Convert to Alexandria.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert, or 1.75%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010">Template:Cite web</ref>

Demographics

Columbia racial composition as of 2020<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>

Race	Number	Percentage
White (non-Hispanic)	202	72.92%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	48	17.33%
Asian	2	0.72%
Other/Mixed	10	3.61%
Hispanic or Latino	15	5.42%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 277 people, 152 households, and 107 families residing in the town.

Government and infrastructure

Law enforcement services are provided by the Columbia Police Department<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the Caldwell Parish Sheriff's Office.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Fire protection services are provided by the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department, and by other Volunteer Fire Departments across the parish when needed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Notable people

• Buddy Caldwell, Attorney General of Louisiana, elected in 2007
• Graves B. Erskine, U.S. Marine Corps general; combat officer in World War I
• J. D. DeBlieux, Louisiana State Senator 1956-1960 & 1964-1976
• Pam Kelly, basketball player, recipient of the Wade Trophy in 1982
• Lelon Kenney, Louisiana state representative, farmer, and businessman
• John J. McKeithen, governor of Louisiana (1964–1972)
• W. Fox McKeithen, Louisiana House of Representatives, 1984–1988
• Clay Parker, former pitcher for the New York Yankees & Seattle Mariners
• Neil Riser, state senator elected in 2007 from the 32nd District
• Chet D. Traylor, Louisiana Supreme Court, 1997–2009

Gallery

• Homeland Federal Savings Bank is located off U.S. Highway 165 in Columbia
  Homeland Federal Savings Bank is located off U.S. Highway 165 in Columbia
• A portion of the hillside graves at the large but dispersed Columbia Hill Cemetery in Columbia. The cemetery was launched just prior to the American Civil War during a yellow fever epidemic.
  A portion of the hillside graves at the large but dispersed Columbia Hill Cemetery in Columbia. The cemetery was launched just prior to the American Civil War during a yellow fever epidemic.
• Riser and Son Funeral Home in Columbia is owned by State Senator Neil Riser.
  Riser and Son Funeral Home in Columbia is owned by State Senator Neil Riser.
• At this site First United Methodist Church in Columbia dates to 1838. The current building was constructed in 1911. Previously, circuit riders served Caldwell Parish.
  At this site First United Methodist Church in Columbia dates to 1838. The current building was constructed in 1911. Previously, circuit riders served Caldwell Parish.
• First Baptist Church in Columbia
  First Baptist Church in Columbia
• Columbia Heights Baptist Church off Highway 165 calls itself "The Lighthouse on the Hill".
  Columbia Heights Baptist Church off Highway 165 calls itself "The Lighthouse on the Hill".

External links

• Columbia Progress Community Progress Site for Columbia, LA