Towns & Cities: A History of Sikes, LA., 1938, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483


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From: March 10, 1938 Winn Parish Enterprise

by Mrs. S. J. Smith

The present site of the Sikes community was years ago only an old Indian
camping ground composed of high open hills where deer might easily be seen
running, and low places around branches of water covered with switch cane,
large enough for fishing poles.  Wild game of all kinds was abundant.

To this part of the country came Wade Holland, a Baptist preacher, to make his
home.  He settled where the present home of Bob Sikes is now located.  Other
people gradually followed.

One of these was Bob Crain, who lived where George Erskins now lives.  In
about 1880 Mr. Crain build the first gin and grist mill in this community.

In 1891, J. F. Smith, Robert Crain, his sons and sons-in-law, contributed to
the building of the first schoolhouse.  It was named the Crain School and
stood where the present day Baptist Church now stands.  However, for the
past two seasons, school had been taught in an old vacant dwelling house
by George Smith and Mason Simmons.  Alfred Emmons was the first teacher in the
new school building.

Mail was brought by horseback and delivered to the Warren Sikes home where
there was a small office.  Mr. Sikes also ran a store for some company.  Later
another store was run by Andrew Crain at his home.  The first saw mill was
built by Andrew Crain in 1900.

The Tremont & Gulf Railroad was built and the Sikes Post Office and store
were moved near it.  The small town of Sikes grew around the railroad
and was given its name from the post office.  Mr. Sikes continued to run
the office until his death.  Arnold Sikes was temporary postmaster
until the present one was appointed.

As the community grew the people decided to build a four room school which was
thought by some to be too large.  Later by enlarging classrooms a seven room
school was made of it.  A vote for $40,000 for a brick building was contested
and lost after going to a higher court.  A frame building was built instead. 
Eight teachers were employed at this time.

Two years later the present district was organized and a vote was carried for
the present brick building and equipment.  Fourteen teachers are employed this
year.  The school, however, was placed on the approved list the last year in
the frame building.

The Sikes Community, generally speaking, is a farming community.  Farmers
trying to make a comfortable living and to rear and educate their children to
be useful and intelligent citizens.