Cotton Valley is a town in central Webster Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,010 at the 2010 census.
Cotton Valley, Louisiana | |
|---|---|
Town | |
| Town of Cotton Valley | |
 Downtown Cotton Valley with United States Post Office at the right and municipal building at the left | |
 Location of Cotton Valley in Webster Parish, Louisiana. | |
.svg) Location of Louisiana in the United States | |
| Coordinates: 32°48′52″N 93°25′17″W / 32.81444°N 93.42139°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Parish | Webster |
| Government | |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.65 sq mi (6.85 km2) |
| • Land | 2.63 sq mi (6.82 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 226 ft (69 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 787 |
| • Density | 299.01/sq mi (115.45/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code | 318 |
| FIPS code | 22-17915 |
| Website | cottonvalleylouisiana.net (archived) |
History edit
Mayoral history edit
Cotton Valley was established in the mid-19th century, and incorporated in 1944 when J. B. Roby, a Democrat, became its first mayor.[2] In 1946, Roby was succeeded by A. C. Borland,[3] who served a total of 22 years. An insurance agent, Borland did not seek reelection in 1968 and was succeeded by E. M. Hollingsworth.[4] Borland was credited with the building of the Cotton Valley city hall, recreation center and municipal park.[5] Keith Chanler {Republican} was elected mayor in 2000 and again in 2004 and chose not to run in 2008. Comerdis Phillips was elected mayor in 2008[6] Joseph Alexander became mayor in 2016.[7]
Marlon Pope Special Learning Center edit
Cotton Valley was the home of the former Marlon Pope Special Learning Center,[8] named for Chester Marlon Pope, a civic leader and Republican member of the Webster Parish School Board.[9]
Geography edit
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.7 km2), all land.
Demographics edit
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | 1,133 | — | |
| 1950 | 1,188 | — | |
| 1960 | 1,145 | −3.6% | |
| 1970 | 1,261 | 10.1% | |
| 1980 | 1,445 | 14.6% | |
| 1990 | 1,130 | −21.8% | |
| 2000 | 1,189 | 5.2% | |
| 2010 | 1,009 | −15.1% | |
| 2020 | 787 | −22.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] | |||
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 380 | 48.28% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 362 | 46.0% |
| Native American | 15 | 1.91% |
| Other/Mixed | 18 | 2.29% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 12 | 1.52% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 787 people, 444 households, and 289 families residing in the town.
Arts and culture edit
A public library replaced the former facility in the old office of Dr. John Pugh, a long-time Cotton Valley physician, who began his practice in 1902.[12]
Notable people edit
- Ken Beck, defensive tackle in the National Football League for two seasons for the Green Bay Packers;[13] born in Minden, later a teacher in the Cotton Valley school system
- Roger Carr, former National Football League wide receiver who played for ten seasons with the Baltimore Colts, Seattle Seahawks and San Diego Chargers, was reared in Cotton Valley.
- The Cox Family consists of Cotton Valley natives noted for their bluegrass, Country and gospel music. The quartet has been performing since 1976, with each child eventually joining the group. They have entertained all over the United States and in Great Britain. They earned two Grammy Awards and a gold record. The Coxes contributed to the soundtrack for the film O Brother, Where Art Thou?.
References edit
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
- ^ Minden Herald, April 14, 1944, p. 1
- ^ "Borland Re-elected in Cotton Valley", Minden Herald, April 12, 1956, p. 1
- ^ Minden Press-Herald, June 27, 1968, p. 1
- ^ Minden Press-Herald, January 27, 1987, p. 3
- ^ "Louisiana primary election returns, October 4, 2008". staticresults.sos.la.gov. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
- ^ "Cotton Valley Mayor-elect takes oath of office". Minden Press-Herald. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
- ^ "Learning center to bear Pope name", Minden Press-Herald, December 16, 1986, p. 1
- ^ "Marlon Pope dies", Minden Press-Herald, January 25, 1987, p. 1
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
- ^ Minden Herald, September 24, 1948, p. 1
- ^ "Ken Beck". National Football League. Retrieved August 8, 2011.