Jefferson Davis Parish

A LAGenWeb Project

Welcome to Jefferson Davis Parish Genealogy

Jefferson Davis Parish was formed out of Imperial Calcasieu Parish in 1912, when Governor L. C. Hall signed the Parish division bill. This was a sixteen year fight and was passed without a dissenting vote. On October 12, 1912 Jennings was selected as the parish seat. On January 1, 1913 was when Jefferson Davis officially became a parish. The parish is named for the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis.

Jefferson Davis Parish is made up of five incorporated towns including Elton, Fenton, Jennings, Lake Arthur, and Welsh. There are many unincorporated areas of the parish including Barnsdall, Buller, China, Coverdale, Edna, Fontenot, Foreman's Hall, Hathaway, Illinois Plant, Lacassine, Lauderdale, Panchoville, Pine Island, Raymond, Roanoke, Silverwood, Thornwell, Topsy, Verret, and Woodlawn. This parish is over 659 square miles with a population of 32,345 as of 2021. Union Pacific Railroad is centrally located within the parish and the Mermentau River runs through it, which connects to the Intracoastal Waterway and has a channel depth of nine feet, which provides access to the Port of Mermentau. The Jennings Airport, with a runway length of 5,000 feet (1,500 m), is capable of landing a small jet. Lacassine Nation Wildlife Refuge is also located in Jefferson Davis Parish.

Hurricane Laura (2021) Category 4 tied with the 1856 Last Island hurricane to hit Louisiana as one of the deadliest and destructive storms. Laura caused significant damaged to Jefferson Davis Parish.

Courtesy of McNeese State University Library

State Coordinator - Marsha Holley

Parish Coordinator - Roxie Guilbeau

Design by Roxie Guilbeau from a WpFreeware template

This page was last updated on 8-10-24