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Bogalusa, LA

Bogalusa is a city in Washington Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is the principal city of the Bogalusa Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Washington Parish and is also part of the larger New Orleans–Metairie–Hammond combined statistical area.

Incorporated in 1914, Bogalusa is one of the youngest towns in Louisiana. It was founded by Frank Henry Goodyear and Charles Waterhouse Goodyear, lumber barons of Buffalo, New York. In the early 1900s, the brothers bought hundreds of thousands of acres of virgin Longleaf pine forests in southeastern Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi for the timber and further their strategy to build railroad spurs to bring the wood to market. In 1902, they chartered the Great Southern Lumber Company (1908–38) and built the first sawmill in what became Bogalusa, a company town built to support the mill. The sawmill was the largest in the world at the time. The Goodyear interests built the city of Bogalusa to house workers and supervisors, and associated infrastructure. They also built the Great Northern New Orleans Railroad to New Orleans to transport their lumber and products to market.

The city, designed by architect Rathbone DeBuys of New Orleans and built from the ground up in less than a year, had several hotels, schools, a hospital, a YMCA and YWCA, churches of all faiths, and houses for the mill workers. The town was laid out with the "Mill Town" on the south side and "Commercial Town" on the north side, altogether there were four quadrants with racially segregated neighborhoods defined by the railroad running north-south and Bogue Lusa Creek running east-west. It was called the "Magic City" in praise of its rapid construction. The manager of the Great Southern Lumber Company was William H. Sullivan. As sawmill manager, he acted as town boss when the city was built. After Bogalusa was incorporated as a city on July 4, 1914, Sullivan was elected as mayor by white voters (blacks had been disenfranchised), and repeatedly re-elected, serving until his death on June 26, 1929.

Bogalusa has an elevation of 100 feet (30.5 m). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.5 square miles (24.6 km2), of which 9.5 square miles (24.6 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km2) (0.52%) is covered by water.

Bogalusa places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with healthcare facilities catering to the well-being of its residents. Our Lady of the Angels Hospital in Bogalusa, LA, provides compassionate and high-quality healthcare services to the residents of Washington Parish and surrounding areas. With state-of-the-art facilities and a dedicated team of medical professionals, the hospital offers a wide range of medical specialties, including emergency care, surgery, obstetrics, cardiology, and more. Bogue Chitto State Park offers a range of outdoor activities amidst stunning natural scenery. Visitors can explore hiking trails, go fishing or kayaking in the park's waterways, and enjoy picnics in designated areas. Heritage Park offers residents and visitors a serene setting to enjoy outdoor activities and promote wellness. With its lush greenery and peaceful atmosphere, the park provides opportunities for strolls, picnics, and relaxation. 

Explore mindfulness and Meditation Workshops to reduce stress and improve focus in guided workshops, or enhance functional movement patterns and overall fitness levels with specialized Functional Fitness Classes. Attend seminars focused on Healthy Aging Seminars, covering topics such as nutrition, exercise, and cognitive health to support active and vibrant aging, or connect with nature and find inner peace with Outdoor Yoga in the Park sessions. Join Community Wellness Walks to promote physical activity, social connection, and exploration of Bogalusa's scenic trails and neighborhoods, or learn to cultivate a healthy relationship with food and practice Mindful Eating Workshops led by nutrition experts. Retreat to serene settings for Stress Reduction Retreats offering relaxation techniques, guided meditation, and rejuvenating activities for stress relief, or enjoy fun-filled family wellness days featuring a variety of activities and workshops focused on health, fitness, and well-being for the whole family. 

The top sites in Bogalusa, LA are the Bogalusa Branch Library, the Global Wildlife Center, and the Bogalusa Country Club.
 

Population: 10,419 (2022). ZIP Code: 70427. Area code: 985. Elevation: 95 ft (29 m). Area: 9.55 sq mi (24.74 km2).

FAQs

What is Bogalusa, Louisiana famous for?

Located in Washington Parish, Bogalusa was founded as a company town in the early 1900s. It was built so fast that its nickname became the Magic City, and once held the distinction of having the largest lumber mill – the Great Southern Lumber Company – in the nation. Since that time, this hamlet on the Pearl River has proudly worn the title of “mill town.” On July 4th, the city hosts its founding (and the nation’s, of course), as well as the Bogalusa Paper Queen Ball.

What is the crime rate in Bogalusa, LA?

With a crime rate of 58 per one thousand residents, Bogalusa has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 17. Within Louisiana, more than 95% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Bogalusa.

What are the racial demographics of Bogalusa, LA?

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Bogalusa, LA are White (Non-Hispanic) (49.3%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (45.7%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.19%), White (Hispanic) (1.91%), and Other (Hispanic) (0.403%). In 2021, there were 1.08 times more White (non-Hispanic) residents (5.38k people) in Bogalusa, LA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 239 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups. 2.57% of the people in Bogalusa, LA are Hispanic (281 people).

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Bogalusa

Explore Louisiana

Neighborhood Scout

Data USA

Sofia Health

Our Lady of the Angels Hospital

Bogue Chitto State Park

Heritage Park

Snap Fitness

Access Health LA

Well A Head LA

Toledo Mindfulness Institute

Book Retreats

Bogalusa Branch Library 

Global Wildlife Center 

Bogalusa Country Club

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