Rebel State Historical SiteMay 17, 2009
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Ajax Country Livin RV Park
female killdeer did the "broken wing" act for me
gravesite of the unknown Rebel soldier
After the morning rains came and cooled us down to the 60s, I ventured out to some of the historical and cultural sites of the area. I am staying out in the country, about 20 miles from Natchitoches (I'll cover that city later) but very close to a place called the Rebel State Historical Site and Louisiana Country Music Museum. Let's find out what rebels and country music have in common to make both be presented in one place.
William Barnhill and descendants owned the property from before the Civil War until 1962. He witnessed the shooting by Union soldiers of a Confederate soldier who got separated from his troop and was wandering the area alone. So, Mr. Barnhill buried the body and the family maintained the grave for 98 years. He built a stage and seats around it out of pine trees and hosted country music concerts on Memorial Day to honor the soldier and other veterans. Concerts became well attended, so others were held during the year and a park was formed with a concession stand, even.
The State bought the property in 1962, improved the stage and amphitheater, and built the Country Music museum to showcase the history and stars of Louisiana's musical heritage. Funding was cut (I didn't ask how long ago) so much that the State doesn't sponsor concerts anymore, but private citizens and businesses may rent the space for events. But that doesn't happen very often. What a shame that such a beautiful and functional place is lying dormant!
The museum is nicely done and taught me some things. I don't know most of the musicians talked about, but appreciated their stardom anyway. Did you know that Jimmy Swaggart, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Mickey Gilley are cousins from Louisiana? Did you know that Elvis played in LA before he made it big? That this state was the birthplace of honky tonk and not just jazz and zydeco?
