Provencal, Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by: Gaytha Carver Thompson
Source: Bigraphical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, 1890



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PROVENCAL

Provencal is an incorporated town of about 400 inhabitants.  Joseph H.
Stephens is mayor, justice of the peace and member of the parish school board. 


Eight years ago there was no town here.  Then the store of Stephens & Gregory
was opened.  In 1883 Samuel Nelkin established his store here.  The former
firm purchased the town site in 1886 from Green & Brogan, the original owners,
for whom it was surveyed.

In 1886 the Methodist Episcopal Church house was erected, and in 1889 the
Baptists erected their building.

Where the lands have not been cleared they are covered with a heavy growth of
beech, ash, oak, pine, gum and other trees useful for house building or
furniture.

Four saw mills and planing mills, with a capacity of 15,000 feet per day, are
right at the town.

In July 1890, the Provencal Land & Improvement Company was organized.  Among
the members being the following named: Joseph Levy, S. Nelkin, J. T. Myrick,
J. C. Wiggins, Mrs. Annie Crain, J. C. Nalley, S. E. Nalley, T. W. Hawthorne,
W. R. Gibbs, D. W. Hall, D. McCorquedale, S. Moses, J. M. Killen, J. A.
Ellzey, S. G. Long, A. T. Foster, J. D. Salter, J. F. Carroll and J. C.
Thomason.

The fire of November 21, 1888, resulted in the destruction of property valued
at $15,000.  It originated in the Commercial Hotel, then owned by Dr. J. D.
Addison, and spreading to the Stephens & Gregory bar room.  Brown's Hotel,
John Trichel's small building and S. Nelkin's store, swept them all away. 
Immediately after the fire the work of rebuilding was entered upon and to day
the general stores of S. Nelkin, Joseph Levy, R. W. Gregory, W. W. Farris, D.
W. Hall & Co. And M. W. Carroll tell of its progress.  

The hotels of Mrs. Israel and Dr. A. J. Roquemore are well ordered hostelries.