History tells how
Natchitoches, Louisiana is the oldest settlement in the Louisiana
Purchase, and within its confines resides the oldest cemetery in that
area, a living narrative of history, culture, diversity and conflict.
Natchitoches, United States - People from various
backgrounds and places are buried in the old American cemetery. For
that reason the cemetery itself reveals the history and culture of the
area and is a place where people who come to Natchitoches Parish are
encouraged to visit.
Natchitoches is also the third oldest town in the United States, having
been settled in 1714. Over various periods it has been the place of
migration for the French, Spanish, English and for the slaves brought
with them. In contemporary times, people from all over the world come
to live in Natchitoches because of its beauty, its history and the
ambiance of easy living that makes the town a special place. When they
die, many are buried in this cemetery.
Inside the cemetery are the graves of many well-known people from the
history of Louisiana including the heroes of war, doctors, politicians,
educators, and the owner of an early plantation in Louisiana history who
had many children with a slave who were set free upon his death.
This plaque appears in
the American cemetery listing some of the famous people buried there.
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This is the oldest
cemetery in the State of Louisiana and in Natchitoches, Louisiana, its
oldest settlement.
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The American Cemetery, is considered by many historians to be the oldest
cemetery in the Louisiana Purchase. The American Cemetery contains
graves that date to colonial times. Buried within its grounds are war
heroes and villains, doctors, politicians, educators, the murdered and
those who died of disease and a plantation owner who had numerous
children with a slave whom he set free by the time of his death.
This tree is located in
the oldest cemetery in the Louisiana Purchase, and is 200 years old.
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A walk through this old cemetery tells the visitor a story about many
things. It reveals in its decorations, fences, flowers and spaces who
the most prominent families at lived in this region in the old style of
great Southern living. It also allows one to look at family profiles,
to consider the relationships of people. A cemetery speaks of a
people's grief but its continuation as well for it has documented,
tangible words on long-lasting artifacts that speak of how whole
families were connected, who lost children young, or a mother who died
giving birth.
This picture shows the
fenced-in family plots within the American cemetery.
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This is the cemetery shown in the film "Steel Magnolias," where the main
characters, played by Sally Fields, Dolly Parton, Dyan Hannah, Shirley
Maclaine, and Olympia Dukakis are shown in the cemetery. One of the
memorable scenes shows Field mourning the death of her daughter, played
by Julia Roberts, of diabetic complications and her friends consoling
her, their grief broken by humor in the banter between Dukakis'
character and that of Maclaine. Many members of the family and friends
depicted in the film continue to live in Natchitoches, with their
friends, acquaintances and family members buried there.
This is a snippet from
the film Steel Magnolias where the main characters mourn the death of a
young woman from diabetic complications, revealing the poignancy of
relationships.
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The cemetery also documents the servant slaves and their relationships
within families, that Southerners speak of as special and African
Americans consider a shame, even as history of protests that take place
in Natchitoches reveals. It was in recent months that the African
American community in the town protested against bringing back a statue
of a black servant referred to as the "darky statue" that stood on main
street years ago and is now in Baton Rouge.
The "darky statue," however, reflects in the minds of many Southerners
the affectionate regard some held for their servants and the courtesy
and grace they saw in people who worked gently and capably without
protest.
This headstone, found
in the oldest cemetery in Louisiana, represents the close attachments
people expressed for slaves and servants.
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The cemetery's location parallels that of the main street of
Natchitoches, a mile or so down the road, not far from Northwestern
University. It sits next to an old Catholic Church, Holy Cross, from
where one can see the stations of the cross and the beautiful grounds
that surround them.
This old Catholic
church sits next to the oldest cemetery in the Louisiana Purchase, shown
here with the background of the stations of the cross.
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A few steps inside the gate, and one enters a different era and a place
where the lives of people are written on markers that tell the story of
the beginning of America's expansion initiated in the town of
Natchitoches so many years ago.