Winnsboro, Louisiana

Winnsboro, Louisiana
Winnsboro is a city in, and the parish seat of Franklin Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of 2020, its population was 4,862.
History
Franklin Parish was created on March 1, 1843, from portions of Ouachita, Catahoula, and Madison parishes through the efforts of Louisiana Senator John Winn. Land for a centrally located parish seat, Winnsborough (later Winnsboro), was purchased in 1844. It was designated as the parish seat of government in 1846 and incorporated on March 18, 1902.
Early Winnsboro City records show that the telephone came to Winnsboro in 1905; electricity in 1914; and water and sewer service in 1923. In 1924, a volunteer fire department was formed. Most of the community's streets were hard surfaced after 1950.
The Old Post Office Museum, in Winnsboro's 1936-built former post office building, presents Franklin Parish history and rotating exhibits. A New Deal program mural, "Logging in Louisiana Swamps", was painted in the post office by Datus Ensign Myers in 1939.
Princess Theatre
The Princess Theatre in Winnsboro was established in 1907, and closed in 1988. It was later refurbished. It reopened as a live performance venue in 1994 and remains open in 2023. For many years, including in 2008 and still in 2019, its programming included the Franklin Opry "on the third Saturday of every month", with country singer Gene King, In 2022, King was recognized on the Northeast Louisiana Music Trail by a marker in Wisner, Louisiana, and he was honored in a tribute concert at the Princess.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and , or 1.49%, is water.
Climate
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,862 people, 1,504 households, and 1,007 families residing in the city.
Economy
The economic base of Winnsboro consists of companies in the apparel, boat manufacturing, bottling and food products industries, aviation, healthcare, agriculture and agricultural related industries. There is a large grain elevator.
Arts and culture
Education
Public schools
Public education in Winnsboro is managed by the Franklin Parish School Board. There are two schools:
Franklin Parish High School and Winnsboro Elementary School
Private schools
Franklin Academy was founded in 1970.
Family Community Christian School provides education from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade.
Higher education
Louisiana Technical College's Northeast Louisiana Campus is located in Winnsboro.
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Winnsboro is the home of the only hospital located in Franklin Parish. Franklin Medical Center has been a part of Franklin Parish since 1970. The hospital is a 39-bed acute care facility. There are four health clinics owned by Franklin Medical Center located in Franklin and Tensas parishes.
National Guard
921st Engineer Company (Horizontal), part of the 528th Engineer Battalion which belongs to the 225th Engineer Brigade, is located in Winnsboro.
Notable people
Fred Carter, Jr., rock and roll guitarist and singer
Ralph E. King, physician and state senator from 1944 to 1952 and 1956 to 1960
Caleb Martin, American football player
Anthony McFarland, professional football player and ESPN commentator
John Moffitt, 2004 Olympic silver medalist
Woody Sauldsberry, NBA player
Chet D. Traylor, Associate Justice on the Louisiana Supreme Court
Calvin A. H. Waller, Lieutenant General, United States Army; Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Operation Desert Storm
Sammy White, professional football player
References
External links
Winnsboro–Franklin Parish Chamber of Commerce
Cities in Louisiana
Cities in Franklin Parish, Louisiana
Parish seats in Louisiana