Columbia, Louisiana

Columbia is a small town in Louisiana, in the United States. It is the parish seat of Caldwell Parish, which means it is an important center for the area. In 2020, the town had a population of 277 people, making it a quiet and close-knit community. Louisiana itself is a state known for its rich culture, music, and history, and Columbia is part of this vibrant region.

History

The land that became Columbia was first cleared by Daniel Humphries in 1827. A store was built a few years later, and it became the only settlement between Monroe, Louisiana and the settlements of the Black River. The harbor was a busy port for shipping cotton using steamboats and Packet boats until railroads arrived. In February 1864, Columbia was the site of a small battle between Federal and Confederate troops during the Civil War. There are also several old plantations in the area.

Geography

Columbia is situated just east of the center of Caldwell Parish on the southwest bank of the Ouachita River. U.S. Route 165 runs through the middle of town and crosses the river, connecting to Monroe 32 miles north and Alexandria 64 miles south.

The town covers a total area of 0.77 square miles (2.00 km²), with 0.76 square miles (1.96 km²) being land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²), which is about 1.75%, being water, according to the United States Census Bureau.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 277 people, 152 households, and 107 families living in the town.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1870	235		—
1880	210		−10.6%
1890	352		67.6%
1900	382		8.5%
1910	500		30.9%
1920	434		−13.2%
1930	760		75.1%
1940	840		10.5%
1950	920		9.5%
1960	1,021		11.0%
1970	1,000		−2.1%
1980	687		−31.3%
1990	386		−43.8%
2000	477		23.6%
2010	390		−18.2%
2020	277		−29.0%
2024 (est.)	266		−4.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

Government and infrastructure

Columbia has its own police department called the Columbia Police Department, and the larger area is served by the Caldwell Parish Sheriff's Office. For fire safety, there is a local group called the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department, and other volunteer fire teams in the parish help when needed.

Notable people

Columbia, Louisiana has been home to many notable individuals who have made their mark in different fields.

Buddy Caldwell served as the Attorney General of Louisiana, elected in 2007. Graves B. Erskine was a U.S. Marine Corps general and a combat officer in World War I. J. D. DeBlieux was a Louisiana State Senator from 1956 to 1960 and again from 1964 to 1976. Pam Kelly was a basketball player who received the Wade Trophy in 1982. Lelon Kenney worked as a state representative, farmer, and businessman. John J. McKeithen was the governor of Louisiana from 1964 to 1972. W. Fox McKeithen served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1984 to 1988. Clay Parker was a former pitcher for the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners. Neil Riser became a state senator in 2007 representing the 32nd District. Chet D. Traylor served on the Louisiana Supreme Court from 1997 to 2009.