This name was adopted in 1871, when the boundaries of this modern parish were established by the Legislature. Of the 386 square miles known as Red River Parish, 165 are Red River bottom lands, and 221 oak uplands. In 1879-80 there were 33,930 acres in cultivation; 19,200 under cotton; 10,566 acres corn 88 acres sweet potatoes, and 9 under sugar cane. There were 11,512 bales of cotton produced, of .6 of a bale per acre; 855 pounds of seed cotton, or 285 pounds of cotton lint. The uplands form the divide between the Grand Bayou of Black Lake and Red River. Here the river flows through a narrow channel cut through solid blue or red clays to a depth of forty feet. Fresh land produces from 1,500 to 2,000 pounds of seed cotton per acre, and age shows only a slight decrease in capability. It is rich in valuable timber, and has a soil, both alluvial and upland, of unsurpassed fertility. All the vegetables and fruit known to horticulturists, when properly cared for, grow luxuriantly, and yield a rich return for the labor bestowed upon their cultivation. Sweet and Irish potatoes both produce wonderful results. An average of 150 bushels per acre of Irish potatoes is now an uncommon yield, and as much as 300 bushels to the acre of sweet potatoes have been produced. The average yield of cotton is one bale per acre, but it is not uncommon to obtain one and a half and even two bales per acre, under judicious cultivation. Corn is produced on an average of 30 to 40 bushels per acre, and in many instances from 75 to 100 bushels have been gathered per acre. The common field pea, planted with corn on the same ground and at the same time, will yield from 20 to 30 bushels, besides acting as a superior fertilizer to the land planted. Sorghum grows luxuriantly, and proves rich in saccharine properties. Millet, oats, rye and clover yield large results. The native grasses and cattle food grow in great richness, and possess as much nutritive properties as any known food for grazing.
The population in 1880 was 8,573, of whom 2,506 were whites and 6,007 colored. In 1890 the population is placed a 11,339*, of which 638 are subject to military duty, 764 are white voters and 1,575 colored voters. There are 18,44 white males, 1,769 white females; 3,822 colored males and 3,903 colored females; 1,209 white and 2,776 colored children, between the age of nine and eighteen.