Lifestyle

Recently the DeSoto Parish Historical Society placed signs designating the history of two sites, thus declaring their significance in the history of the Parish. The first was placed at the site of the former Stonewall Train Station/Depot. They then traveled to the Southern portion of the parish to place a marker at Old Pleasant Hill Cemetery designating the mass grave of the dead soldiers that died in battle. On July 6, 1881, the Texas and Pacific Railway established the Stonewall Train Station on its main line from Dallas to New Orleans. The station was named “Stonewall” to honor the memory of Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, who was a Southern hero during the war between the states. After the establishment of the train station, a prosperous community developed with a cotton gin, milk creamery, post office, a school and a Baptist and Methodist-Episcopal Church.  

By Willie Archie

Armed with a proclamation from the Mayor’s office proclaiming June 24, 25 and 26, 2016 as “The All Saints High School Class of 1966 Reunion Weekend”, the 50th year reunion / anniversary celebration was recently held in Mansfield. Former classmates, graduates and faculty members from 1954 - 1966 came together once again, many seeing each other for the first time since 1966. The festivities began Thursday night with a Louisiana styled fish fry, followed by Friday evening’s traditional meet and greet reception at the local Best Western Hotel. Saturday the group took to the outdoors for an afternoon picnic at Cedar Tree Events, another local venue in Mansfield. The attendees were thoroughly entertained as they reminisced of days gone by, played games and enjoyed once again some great Louisiana.