Beauregard Museum

06/17/2026

Explore nine unconventional Louisiana towns known for bayou landscapes, Cajun culture, historic sites, crawfish, rice mills, and offbeat attractions.

06/17/2026

Chester A. Jarrell (1892-1983) was a World War I veteran and a painter.

Chester’s son, the late Gary Jarrell, used to do repair and maintenance work for the City of DeRidder. On a repair at the museum, he told me that his father painted the courthouse and many of the original, historic buildings and homes in our city.

Chester was painting and wallpapering even in his later years. In fact, Gary told me his father laid the wallpaper in the Beauregard Museum when some modifications were made to the old depot to house the museum collection.

It’s still here, and I think it’s beautiful. From time to time, we do get a suggestion that we need to change the wallpaper. It is great condition, by the way, just a dated style, yet I quickly inform them of its history and of Chester.

Chester was interviewed by then DeRidder High School student David Vines as part of a history project for teacher Lou Anne Smith’s class.

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06/17/2026

06/17/2026

Norris Galloway (1901-1976) was 11 years old in 1912 during the Grabow Riot. His family owned the Galloway Lumber Co. which was the backdrop of a violent confrontation between the Brotherhood of Timber Workers - BTW and the company. This event left four dead and dozens wounded, including Norris, who was hit with a striker’s buckshot.

The late Clarence McKnight was Norris’ son-in-law. Before Clarence died he loaned the museum this cassette tape which had this recording - exact year originally recorded is unknown.

I was able to convert the tape to a digital file, yet the audio is somewhat distorted. You can still hear Norris, however, yet it is best listened to with earphones.

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06/16/2026

Via CBS Lake Charles:

The history of Southwest Louisiana is as rich as the country we cal...

06/16/2026

Don’t MISS OUT on hearing these incredible speakers in September at the Natchitoches Louisiana Bigfoot Festival!! Who is coming?!

Jason Kenzie

“SuperDave” Rogers

Robert Swain

Jim Lansdale

Tickets & merchandise are on sale now! (See pinned posts in this group for info and links to order)

06/16/2026

06/15/2026

Beauregard Parish Training school graduation and graduates - 1952-1953, courtesy Carlos Archield

06/15/2026

Parade, late 1950s, courtesy Carlos Archield, from a collection of Carver High School history. Shown is the old Friendly Corner in the background - at that time it was a Trailways Bus Depot and a furniture/appliance store. You can catch a tiny glimpse of what Jefferson Street looked like then - occupied with homes, businesses, and lined with trees.