Campti

Sister cities

• Nacogdoches

History

The rural parish was developed for large cotton plantations, and a majority of the population were enslaved African Americans in the antebellum years. But by the time of the American Civil War, a number of free people of color also lived in Campti and the area. They were known to be related to several of the longtime white families, who acknowledged them, and they were generally well accepted. According to one authority on this area, they lived nearly as white. At least nine men of color, and likely more, enlisted in the Confederate Army during the Civil War and "easily entered a predominately white military company." During the war, Union Brigadier-General A. J. Smith, with two brigades, reached Campti to assist Rear-Admiral David D. Porter's gunboats on the Red River there. Confederate Brigadier-General St. John R. Liddell's scattered troops had been harassing the Union fleet but quickly retreated as Smith's overwhelming force arrived on April 13, 1864. Smith and his men burned what was left of Campti, on April 14, 1864. The gunboats were returned safely upriver to Grand Ecore in Natchitoches Parish. In the postwar years, cotton and agriculture continued as mainstays of the economy. Later cattle raising was introduced. Large-scale agriculture and ranching have reduced economic opportunities in the rural area. The population of Campti has continued to be majority African American, reflecting the history of its development. The City of Campti also serves as the tribal headquarters of the Natchitoches Tribe of Louisiana.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• L.P. Vaughn Elementary & Middle School
  Elementary · Natchitoches · 648 students · 14.4:1 ratio
• Natchitoches Magnet School
  Elementary · Natchitoches · 420 students · 14.5:1 ratio
• M.R. Weaver Elementary School
  Elementary · Natchitoches · 377 students · 16.4:1 ratio
• East Natchitoches Elementary & Middle School
  Middle · Natchitoches · 356 students · 17:1 ratio
• Lakeview Jr./Sr. High School
  High · Campti · 351 students · 12.5:1 ratio
• Natchitoches Jr. High School
  Middle · Natchitoches · 325 students · 13.5:1 ratio
• Fairview-Alpha Elementary & Junior High School
  Elementary · Campti · 277 students · 15.4:1 ratio
• Natchitoches Parish Technical and Career Center
  Other · Natchitoches · 220 students · 27.5:1 ratio