Bienville Parish (Images of America)

Bienville Parish, founded in 1848, is located in central north Louisiana. While perhaps most well-known for its ties to outlaws Bonnie and Clyde, Bienville Parish has a rich timber and railroad history that has shaped the community for over a century. Settlers moved into the region to take advantage of its flourishing industry, but it was community that led people to put down roots in the area. Religion and education formed the basis of everyday life in the rural region. In this photographic history, Bienville Parish is depicted through the lives of the people who inhabited the area. Although its size has decreased in recent years, the people who still reside in the parish have made it a priority to preserve the memories for future generations.