Towns & Cities: Packton Community, 1938, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483


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From: February 25, 1938 Winnfield News-American

History of Packton Community by Mrs. P. C. Finlay

Back in the days when this country was a vast wilderness, twenty nine families
left Georgia in covered wagons.  This was in 1859.  They settled in what is
now known as the Packton Community.  Among these families were the Baileys,
Shumakes, Millings, Williams, Hearns, Killens, Grays, and Meltons.  These
pioneers cleared the land, tilled the soil, and established their homes. 
Their descendants are still here, never having a desire to move elsewhere.

The first churches to be established were mere brush arbors, which were known
as Tyson's Chapel and Pleasant Hill.

The schools were built in about the same manner, the log cabin and split log
benches being used later.  The first teacher was a professor Dick Watson.

With the beginning of the twentieth century came the building of the L. & A.
Railroad.  This new era of transportation eliminated the freight service, by
ox wagon, from Alexandria, where the settlers had hauled their provisions.

Then came the realization of the great wealth of the forest, mills sprang up
and the lumber industry has occupied an important place in the progress of the
community.  Farming and stock raising are the main enterprises now.

Packton is situated twelve miles south of Winnfield, the parish seat, on paved
highway no. 167 and L. & A. Junction.

A school bus transfers our children to Winnfield and Georgetown schools. 
During recent years there have appeared many organizations for the purpose of
advancing civilization and making life's walk easier, foremost among these may
be mentioned the home demonstration club.

(Packton was named for the Packton Lumber Co., which had either a wood yard or
some sort of operation in the area when the railroad came through the
community).