Winn Parish and Winnfield have a fascinating history. Indians of the Pascagoula and Choctaw tribes, as well as bands of the Tunicas found that rivers and forests of this parish were very pleasant and profitable hunting and fishing grounds. French settlers founded colonies on Red River and Saline Bayou. St. Maurice, a small town in the sw corner of the parish, became an important boat landing on the Red River. Winn Parish was officially formed by the state legislature in 1852. Winnfield was established as the parish seat. There is an ongoing debate regarding the naming of Winn Pairsh, some say it was named after Walter O. Winn the representative who sponsored the legislation to establish the parish and some say it was named after Winfield Scott, a hero of the War of Mexico.
The debate continues....
During the Civil War, the parish was the site of some minor skirmishes. Confederate forces defeated a Union detachment sent to destroy the salt works in the area. Many Civil War bandits made this area their home. Among the worst were the West and Kimbrill Clans which at one time included the James boys, Frank & Jesse.
The year 1900 was a new beginning for the agricultural interests in Winn Parish. Railroad development began when the great north Louisiana forest was discovered. Louisiana & Arkansas Southern Railroad were brought to Winnfield, linking the parish to larger towns like Ruston, & Minden. William Edencorn, barbed wire inventor and rail tycoon, brought Louisiana Railway and Navigation Co. to Winnfield and In 1907 William T. Joyce extended Tremont and Gulf Railroad to Winnfield.
Winnfield boasts being the home of three Louisiana governors: Huey "Kingfish" Long, Oscar K. Allen and Earl K. Long. Huey became Governor, a U.S. Senator and challenged Franklin Roosevelt for Presidency. He was assasinated in 1935. O.K. Allen was elected governor in 1932. Earl "the Louisiana Longshot" held more state jobs than any other Louisianian. "Uncle Earl" was elected governor in 1939, 1948 and 1956. He was elected to Congress in 1960 but died while the votes were being counted. Hollywood filmed the movie "Blaze" with Paul Newman right here in downtown Winnfield based on the affair of Earl Long and the famous New Orleans stripper Blaze Starr.
LouIsiana is named "Sportsman's Paradise" for good reason and Winn Parish is a shining example of what is available. There are over 680 miles of rivers, bayous and creeks within the parish. Saline Lake is one of the premier fishing spots in the South. Also there is Black Lake, Clear Lake and Caney Lake bordering or near Winn Parish. All water areas are known as prime fishing and early duck hunting. The 562,000 acres of timberland supports hunting for deer, squirrel, opossum, raccoon, bobcat, fox, rabbit, quail, dove, rabbits and what Winn Parish is known for, wild hog hunting.
