Louisiana’s Cane River: Home to a unique Creole history

Just outside of Louisiana’s oldest town, Natchitoches, you’ll find a highlight of Creole history: Cane River Creole National Historical Park. Learn about life on the region’s cotton plantations starting in the mid-18th century, and experience the mixture of French, Spanish, and Creole cultures.

Natchitoches itself is steeped in history, dating back to 1714. Its population soared after the Louisiana Purchase, and the town was incorporated in 1912. The Cane River flows through Natchitoches and during the spring is the training grounds of the local university rowing teams.