The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-09-08
ALEXANDRIA,, La.
| PROMISING RAILROAD CENTRE
, THE FERTILE BACK COUSTRY-THE
STAPLE CROPS.
ALEXANDRIA, La, !

| Correspondence OF the 1imes-Oem0cfaf.I
Alexandria is the parish seat OF Ra'
pides, State of Louisiana. 1t is stu
ated at the confluence of the Bayou
Rapides with Red river, on their right
descending bank.
| Alexandria might be called the geo
graphical centre of the State and the
natural crossing of all highways lead:
ing to the sea-coast of Louisiana, on
the west of the Mississippi river. il
is overlooked from the opposite side Of
the river, at Pineville, by the foot
hills OF the range coming from the fal
West; while on its own side it is the
head of the high alluvial lands above
overhows, being besides on the direct
road to the Gulf of Mexico. 1t is,
therefore, one Of the most natural, GER
tain and cheapest crossings of all roads
tending to sea outlet from the Yves,
tern States-the map and geological
formation of the State prove it and in
sures the future Importance of Alex
andria in the development of the
South west.
The Texas and Pacific system now
passes by Alexandria with it's daily
trains, and it is the present terminus
of the Morgan road until the latter
will be ready to GLOSS Red river, the
crossing having already been selected
and right Of way obtained. Two more
roads are projected.
The population of Alexandria aver
ages about 1000 inhabitants, mainly
professional men, merchants and arti.
sans. Its surroundings are agricultu.
raj and timber; it is also the outlet
for one of the finest body of alluvial
lands on this continent. They are
high and perfectly level, while thei'
capacity for production is only par.
TALLY developed. The timber lands
tributary to Alexandria are uuequaled
in their variety, value aud extent
endless asb-brakes and oaks of al
species, as we'll as curly naples, syca
moros, ETC., cover the uncleared low
lands while limitless reaches of lone
leaf pines, as virgin as when the frs
explorers crossed this country, art
awaiting the .axes and saws of the
millers.
When the civil war broke out Alex
andria was just then reaching the emf
nence due to its location it was ont
of the most prosperous towns in the
State. Lands in its neighborhooc
were not for sale and could not bt
bought for the most extravagant price
Alexandra is to day one of tie most
inviting fields for the Spectator and
investor. Its lands are held and Of
fered at low fgnres, as low as the gov
eminent price, taking in consideration
the fertility Of the lands and the cost
of the settlement.
Bayou Rapides offers a valuable
milling power which can be utilized al
very little expense, while two railroads
and the river, competing with each
other, assure to all enterprises the low
est rates of carriage and the quickest
dispatch.
Churches and school facilities are
equal to those Of any country town,
and the health of the section has been
proverbial ever since the settlement Of
the State.
All the staples of the South grow
here-cane, cotton and corn. Fruits
of all kinds and grapes attain their
best maturity. Hay is also becoming
an important branch of industry, two
crops being cut. yearly; and as the
climate and lands are especially adap-
ted to grasses, the day is not far dis
tant when dairyiug will be valuable
branch of traffic for Alexandra. The
pasturages Of the country tributary to
Alexandria are unsurpassed and might
be called perennial. 1t has always
been so; for in the last century the
colonists used this section for their
"vacheries." Stock improves here and
never suffers, water and grasses being
abundant.
The country tributary to Alexan-
dria, as a commercial centre, is very
extensive. It stretches east and west
from Little river to the Sabine; also
equally as far from north to south
Both hills and lowlands are counted
in the domain.
One th;nn Is certain-that Of all