§410ccc Findings and purposes

Summary

Creates a Cane River Creole National Historical Park and a Cane River National Heritage Area and Commission to protect and teach about the Creole culture and historic places along the Cane River. The law notes that Natchitoches, started in 1714, is the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase area. The Cane River grew from French-Spanish contacts in the early 1700s and was a key travel and trade route. The area still has many original Creole buildings, sites, and landscapes, unlike most other places where such features are isolated. The region includes the Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District with approximately 300 properties, four other national historic landmarks, and other sites that may qualify. Local people and groups have helped preservation, and the needs are large and require a partnership approach. The goals are to recognize the national importance of Cane River Creole culture, to create the National Historical Park for education and to help save certain sites, and to create the National Heritage Area and Commission to work with the State of Louisiana, the City of Natchitoches, local communities, preservation groups, and private landowners, with programs that fully involve those local communities and landowners.