Rapides Parish
Rapides Parish () (french: Paroisse des Rapides) is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2010 census, the population was 131,613. The parish seat is Alexandria, which developed along the Red River of the South. ''Rapides ...
, Louisiana, United States. It is located across the Red River from the larger
Alexandria
Alexandria ( or ; ar, ٱلْإِسْكَنْدَرِيَّةُ ; grc-gre, Αλεξάνδρεια, Alexándria) is the second largest city in Egypt, and the largest city on the Mediterranean coast. Founded in by Alexander the Great, Alexandria ...
. Pineville is hence part of the Alexandria Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 14,555 at the 2010 census. It had been 13,829 in 2000; population hence grew by 5 percent over the preceding decade.
The Central Louisiana State Hospital, the Pinecrest Supports and Services Center, the
Huey P. Long
Huey Pierce Long Jr. (August 30, 1893September 10, 1935), nicknamed "the Kingfish", was an American politician who served as the 40th governor of Louisiana from 1928 to 1932 and as a United States senator from 1932 until his assassination ...
Memorial Hospital (closed), the Alexandria Veterans Administration Medical Center, and the
Alexandria National Cemetery Alexandria National Cemetery is the name of two US National Cemeteries:
*Alexandria National Cemetery (Alexandria, Virginia), in Virginia
*Alexandria National Cemetery (Alexandria, Louisiana)
Alexandria National Cemetery is a United States Nation ...
are all located in Pineville. The city is also home to several large non-government employers including Baker Manufacturing, Procter & Gamble, Crest Industries, and Dresser Industrial Valve.
Original LSU in Pineville
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University (officially Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, commonly referred to as LSU) is a public land-grant research university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The university was founded in 1860 nea ...
was founded by the Louisiana General Assembly in 1853. It was founded under the name
Louisiana State Seminary of Learning & Military Academy
Louisiana State Seminary of Learning & Military Academy was the former name of the current university now known as Louisiana State University (LSU).
The original legislation creating the Seminary of Learning of the State of Louisiana (''l'Univ ...
and was located near Pineville. The first academic session began on January 2, 1860, with General
William Tecumseh Sherman
William Tecumseh Sherman ( ; February 8, 1820February 14, 1891) was an American soldier, businessman, educator, and author. He served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861–1865), achieving recognition for his com ...
of
Ohio
Ohio () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Of the fifty U.S. states, it is the 34th-largest by area, and with a population of nearly 11.8 million, is the seventh-most populous and tenth-most densely populated. The sta ...
as superintendent.
Geography
Pineville is located at (31.338781, −92.412485).
According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...
, the city has a total area of 12.1 square miles (31.3 km2), of which 11.5 square miles (29.7 km2) is land and 0.6 square mile (1.6 km2) (4.97%) is water.
Climate
This
climatic
Climate is the long-term weather pattern in an area, typically averaged over 30 years. More rigorously, it is the mean and variability of meteorological variables over a time spanning from months to millions of years. Some of the meteorologic ...
region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot and humid summers and mild winters. According to the
Köppen Climate Classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by German-Russian climatologist Wladimir Köppen (1846–1940) in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen, notabl ...
system, Pineville has a
humid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a zone of climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and cool to mild winters. These climates normally lie on the southeast side of all continents (except Antarctica), generally between latitudes 25° and 40° ...
, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the
2020 United States census
The United States census of 2020 was the twenty-fourth decennial United States census. Census Day, the reference day used for the census, was April 1, 2020. Other than a pilot study during the 2000 census, this was the first U.S. census to of ...
, there were 14,384 people, 5,065 households, and 3,063 families residing in the city.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,829 people, 4,994 households, and 3,121 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,204.8 people per square mile (465.1/km2). There were 5,448 housing units at an average density of 474.6 per square mile (183.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 69.57%
White
White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White on ...
, 26.08%
African American
African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...
Asian
Asian may refer to:
* Items from or related to the continent of Asia:
** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia
** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia
** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...
, 0.09%
Pacific Islander
Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe the original p ...
, 0.30% from
other races
Other often refers to:
* Other (philosophy), a concept in psychology and philosophy
Other or The Other may also refer to:
Film and television
* ''The Other'' (1913 film), a German silent film directed by Max Mack
* ''The Other'' (1930 film), a ...
, and 1.55% from two or more races.
Hispanic
The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad.
The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to Vic ...
or
Latino
Latino or Latinos most often refers to:
* Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America
* Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States
* The people or cultures of Latin America;
** Latin A ...
of any race were 1.14% of the population.
There were 4,994 households, out of which 30.8% had children under the age of eighteen living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 13.1% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,159, and the median income for a family was $37,735. Males had a median income of $30,205 versus $21,154 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,969. About 14.3% of families and 20.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 19.9% of those age 65 or over.
Museums
Pineville houses two unique museums. The
Louisiana Maneuvers
The Louisiana Maneuvers were a series of major U.S. Army exercises held in 1941 in northern and west-central Louisiana, an area bounded by the Sabine River to the west, the Calcasieu River to the east, and by the city of Shreveport to the nort ...
Museum provides insight into the huge maneuvers that prepared the United States for
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
and promoted the career of General
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (born David Dwight Eisenhower; ; October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969) was an American military officer and statesman who served as the 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961. During World War II, ...
, known for his organizational skills.
Old Town Hall Museum "is the only museum in the entire state of Louisiana dedicated to municipal government".
Government and infrastructure
The
Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections
The Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) (French: ) is a state law enforcement agency responsible for the incarceration of inmates and management of facilities at state prisons within the state of Louisiana. The agency is headquart ...
Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections
The Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) (French: ) is a state law enforcement agency responsible for the incarceration of inmates and management of facilities at state prisons within the state of Louisiana. The agency is headquart ...
Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections
The Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) (French: ) is a state law enforcement agency responsible for the incarceration of inmates and management of facilities at state prisons within the state of Louisiana. The agency is headquart ...
. Retrieved on September 23, 2010. It closed in July 2012.
From 1939 to 2014, the former Huey P. Long Medical Center, a state charity hospital named for
Governor
A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...
and
U.S. Senator
The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States.
The composition and powe ...
Huey Pierce Long, Jr.
Huey Pierce Long Jr. (August 30, 1893September 10, 1935), nicknamed "the Kingfish", was an American politician who served as the 40th governor of Louisiana from 1928 to 1932 and as a United States senator from 1932 until his assassination ...
, operated on Main Street in Pineville. Officials are seeking to have the structure placed into the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...
, under the original name of Huey P. Long Memorial Hospital.
The Curtis-Coleman Memorial Bridge, the replacement for the former O. K. Allen Bridge, named for former Governor Oscar K. Allen, links Alexandria and Pineville across the Red River. The bridge is named for two African-American politicians, former state Representative
Israel "Bo" Curtis
Israel Benjamin "Bo" Curtis (September 11, 1932 – February 16, 2012) was an American politician. He served as a Democratic member for the 26th district of the Louisiana House of Representatives.
Life and career
Curtis attended Peabody Magne ...
of Alexandria and Lemon Coleman (1935–2015), the first Black person to serve on the Pineville City Council. Coleman unseated the white incumbent, William George "Willie" Goleman (1899–1976), a fellow
Democrat
Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to:
Politics
*A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people.
*A member of a Democratic Party:
**Democratic Party (United States) (D)
**Democratic ...
, in the 1974 election in a majority white-voter council district.
National Guard
Located adjacent to the city is Camp Beauregard. Operated by the Louisiana
Army National Guard
The Army National Guard (ARNG), in conjunction with the Air National Guard, is an organized Militia (United States), militia force and a Reserve components of the United States Armed Forces, federal military reserve force of the United States A ...
, it is the headquarters of the 225th Engineer Brigade and is one of the largest engineer units in the
US Army
The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...
Louisiana College
Louisiana Christian University (LCU) is a private Baptist university in Pineville, Louisiana. It enrolls 1,100 to 1,200 students. It is affiliated with the Louisiana Baptist Convention (Southern Baptist Convention).
Louisiana Christ ...
opened in Pineville. The Rapides Parish School Board operates public schools.
Liquor sales in restaurants
Until a
special election
A by-election, also known as a special election in the United States and the Philippines, a bye-election in Ireland, a bypoll in India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-larges ...
held on October 19, 2013, Pineville had long been a fully dry city, with no alcohol available legally in the community. Voters in the 1980s maintained that stance in a
referendum
A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue. This is in contrast to an issue being voted on by a representative. This may result in the adoption of a ...
. The late Mayor Fred Baden was particularly known for his opposition to liquor sales. Mayor Clarence Fields, who has held his office since 1999, pushed for another referendum to permit the sale of liquor in restaurants. Nearly four years after Baden's death, the measure was roundly approved by voters in the special election, 1,849 (78 percent) to 515 (22 percent).
Nine restaurants in Pineville had received permits to serve alcohol since January 2014. Fields claims that allowing limited liquor sales, requested by area developers, will boost economic development, particularly along the riverfront. According to Fields, members of the clergy, including city council member Nathan Martin of the Christian Challenge Worship Center in Pineville, did not oppose the call for liquor sales: "We've had a lot of conversations with our religious community, and all of the ministers I have spoken with are favorable.".
The liquor referendum was authored by State Senator
Rick Gallot
Richard Joseph Gallot, Jr., known as Rick Gallot (born April 1966), is the current president of Grambling State University and was a Democratic member of the Louisiana State Senate for District 29 In the nonpartisan blanket primary held on Oct ...
. In the previous referendum in 1981, liquor sales in restaurants had not been one of the options available for consideration. Gallot's Senate Bill 116 allows cities within the population range of 13,500 to 16,500 to call for an election to permit restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages. The Pineville City Council then voted unanimously to place the referendum on the special election ballot.
Notable people
* Joe W. Aguillard, president of Louisiana College from 2005 to 2014
*
Rick Brewer
Rick Brewer (born in Stanley, New Brunswick) is a New Brunswick businessman and politician, and a former assistant pastor.
Early life
Brewer was the son of Richard C. Brewer and Emma Hanson. He was an assistant pastor in the Pentecostal Churc ...
, president of Louisiana College since 2015
*
Faith Ford
Faith Alexis Ford (born September 14, 1964) is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Corky Sherwood on the CBS sitcom '' Murphy Brown'', for which she received five Primetime Emmy Award nominations, and as Hope Shanowski on the A ...
, actress
*
W. C. Friley
William Christopher Friley, known as W. C. Friley (July 12, 1845 – April 11, 1911), was a Southern Baptist clergyman and college president. He was from 1892 to 1894 the first president of Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, Abilene ...
, president of Louisiana College from 1909 to 1910
* Lawrence T. Fuglaar, state representative for Rapides Parish from 1948 to 1952
*
Justin Gaston
Justin Michael Gaston (born August 12, 1988) is an American singer-songwriter, model, and actor who was also a contestant on '' Nashville Star'' on season 6. He finished 10th overall out of 12 contestants. He portrayed the role of Ben Rogers o ...
, actor, model, and singer who was also a contestant on ''
Nashville Star
''Nashville Star'' is an American reality television singing competition program that aired for six seasons, from 2003 to 2008. Its first five seasons aired on USA Network, while the last season aired on NBC. Its five seasons on USA made it the l ...
''.
* G. Earl Guinn, president of Louisiana College from 1951 to 1975
* Jeff Hall, state representative for District 26 in Rapides Parish; former Pineville resident
*
Henry E. Hardtner
Henry Ernest Hardtner (September 10, 1870 – August 7, 1935) was a Louisiana businessman and conservationist regarded as "the father of forestry in the South." He founded and named the town of Urania in La Salle Parish and served single t ...
, lumber magnate, state legislator, and forestry conservationist, born in Pineville in 1870
* Ben F. Holt, state representative from Rapides Parish from 1956 to 1960
* Anjanette Kirkland,
track and field
Track and field is a sport that includes athletic contests based on running, jumping, and throwing skills. The name is derived from where the sport takes place, a running track and a grass field for the throwing and some of the jumping events ...
athlete
* Rory Lee, president of Louisiana College from 1997 to 2004
*
Rashard Lewis
Rashard Quovon Lewis (born August 8, 1979) is an American former professional basketball player. Lewis entered the NBA directly from Alief Elsik High School. He rose to prominence in the NBA as a scorer with the Seattle SuperSonics, and was later ...
, professional basketball player with the
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat are an American professional basketball team based in Miami. The Heat compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern Conference Southeast Division (NBA), Southe ...
* Robert L. Lynn, Louisiana College president from 1975 to 1997; now a poet in
United States Army
The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...
major who played a role in ending the
My Lai
My or MY may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* My (radio station), a Malaysian radio station
* Little My, a fictional character in the Moomins universe
* ''My'' (album), by Edyta Górniak
* ''My'' (EP), by Cho Mi-yeon
Business
* Mar ...
massacre in the
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War (also known by #Names, other names) was a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vie ...
; he died in Pineville.
*
Tommy Tenney
Tommy Tenney (born 1956) is an American preacher and author, known for his message of "God Chasers".
In his book ''The God Chasers'' (1998), Tenney relates experiences of being "in the presence of God", including one occasion when a pulpit was pu ...
,
evangelist
Evangelist may refer to:
Religion
* Four Evangelists, the authors of the canonical Christian Gospels
* Evangelism, publicly preaching the Gospel with the intention of spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ
* Evangelist (Anglican Church), a c ...
and author
* Kenny Mixon, played football at Pineville High, LSU and with NFL.
Pineville gallery
Image:Pineville, LA welcome sign IMG_4373.JPG, Pineville welcome sign
Image:Buhlow Lake in Pineville, LA IMG 1168.JPG, Buhlow Lake hosts boat races and other recreational events. The O.K. Allen Bridge atop the Red River is in the background.
Image:Entrance to Louisiana College, Pineville, LA IMG_4369.JPG, Entrance to
Baptist
Baptists form a major branch of Protestantism distinguished by baptizing professing Christian believers only (believer's baptism), and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches also generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul compete ...
-affiliated
Louisiana College
Louisiana Christian University (LCU) is a private Baptist university in Pineville, Louisiana. It enrolls 1,100 to 1,200 students. It is affiliated with the Louisiana Baptist Convention (Southern Baptist Convention).
Louisiana Christ ...
in Pineville
Image:Pineville City Hall IMG 1102.JPG, Pineville City Hall was completed in 1974 during the administration of Mayor Fred Baden.
Image:First Baptist, Pineville, LA IMG_1101.JPG, First Baptist Church of Pineville is located across the street from City Hall.
Image:Downtown Pineville, LA IMG_1112.JPG, Main Street in Pineville near the Community Center
Image:Graves at Greenwood Memorial Park IMG_1121.JPG, A glimpse of the large Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery in Pineville
Image:Pond at Greenwood Memorial Park in Pineville, LA IMG_1117.JPG, Peaceful pond at Greenwood Memorial Park
Image:Mt. Olivet Cemetery IMG_1166.JPG, Mt. Olivet Episcopal Chapel and Cemetery in Pineville; former Mayor Fred Baden is interred there.
Image:Kingsville Baptist Church IMG_1092.JPG, Kingsville Baptist Church off U.S. Highway 165
Image:Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Pineville, LA.JPG, Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery across from Kingsville Baptist Church
Image:Kees Park in Pineville, LA IMG_1173.JPG, Kees Park off
Louisiana Highway 28
Louisiana Highway 28 (LA 28) is a state highway located in central Louisiana. It runs in an east–west direction from the junction of U.S. Highway 171 (US 171) and LA 8 in Leesville to US 84 west of Jonesville.
Route des ...
East in Pineville is named for businessman and postmaster William "Billy" Keys, Sr. (1881-1938), the father of Willie E. Kees, Jr., the mayor of Pineville from 1946 to 1952.
Image:Procter and Gamble in Pineville, LA IMG 1172.JPG,
Procter & Gamble
The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) is an American multinational consumer goods corporation headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble. It specializes in a wide range of personal health/consumer hea ...