Castor is a village in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 209 at the 2000 census. It was established in 1900. The name "Castor" refers to the genus Castoridae beaver.
Castor's Zip Code is 71016[1] and its telephone numbers start with 544. These numbers are also used by people who live in communities around Castor. These communities include Alberta, Roy, New Ramah, and New Hope; although not all the communities are recognized as townships, they are shown on Bienville Parish maps. People living around Castor but not with-in the City limits often refer to themselves as from Castor, and file information as being from Castor. The Castor Zip Code which bumps against Jamestown, Kepler Lake, and Ashland is a more accurate representation of Castor's actual self-proclaimed population.[2]
History
During the American Civil War, Castor supplied salt for the Confederate States of America. A salt works was operated west of Castor by Alfred P. King.[3]
The Louisiana rails to trails project, which extends from Sibley to Winnfield, deconstructed the once Kansas City Southern Railway track to make a recreational nature trail that, on completion, would run through the center of Castor[4]
On April 23, 2000, Castor was struck by a tornado with a ½-mile-wide path in the late evening, which caused massive damage. There were no injuries, but the infrastructure damage caused by the tornado and the ensuing heavy rains caused many business and public buildings to close for an extended period.
Discovered in 2007-2008, the Haynesville Shale—said to be one of the biggest natural gas deposits in the United States--sets underneath northwest Louisiana, including Castor.[5]
The Smith family, one of the oldest in Castor, lost six members in a tornado in 1950. The homestead was wiped clean except for a bucket on the water well which remained undisturbed. The Smith family sold most of its land to Jerry "Cotton" Guin, who raised bees there until 2009.
Geography
Castor is located at 32°15′10″N 93°9′54″W / 32.25278°N 93.165°W / 32.25278; -93.165 (32.252757, -93.164933)[6].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 3.1 km² (1.2 mi²), all land.
Landscape
At ground level, Castor seems flat and surrounded by trees. But in reality its setting in a valley making it somewhat a dead-area for cell phone coverage.
The so-called "town" area or center of Castor is the 4-way stop caution light, but the city limits extend from the light for about a quarter mile in all directions.
Castor Creek is a branch of Black Lake Bayou, which flows about four miles southwest of Castor.
Demographics
As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 209 people, 88 households, and 52 families residing in the village. The population density was 67.2/km² (174.6/mi²). There were 101 housing units at an average density of 32.5/km² (84.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the village was 85.17% White, 11.96% African American, 2.87% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.83% of the population.
There were 88 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 38.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 23.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.25.
In the village the population was spread out with 30.1% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 14.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $23,125, and the median income for a family was $35,000. Males had a median income of $23,750 versus $35,833 for females. The per capita income for the village was $11,963. About 17.3% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.8% of those under the age of eighteen and 15.7% of those sixty five or over.
Religion
New Ebenezer Baptist Church south of Castor
Entrance to New Ebenezer Cemetery
Castor has two churches within the immediate village: The United Methodist on Louisiana Highway 507 and First Baptist Church, a Southern Baptist affiliate on Front Street adjacent to the Castor School Complex.[2] South on Louisiana Route 153 is the New Ebenezer Baptist Church, also a Southern Baptist congregation.
Castor has two cemeteries: the Old Castor Cemetery east of the downtown area toward the village of Lucky, and the large New Ebenezer Cemetery affiliated with the New Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Economy
The General Store in Castor
Castor has several businesses: The General Store, a gasoline station, flower shop, a cafe, a beauty shop, a laundromat, a branch of the Bank of Ringgold, United States Post Office, retirement homes, and a mobile home park.[1]
Government
Mayor Victoria Pickett assumed office early in 2009, having succeeded Sally Gray, who was sidelined by illness.
Education
Castor has one school located on Front Street. The complex contains elementary, middle, and high school buildings.[1] Castor High School is often mentioned as one of the top schools in Bienville Parish.
Infrastructure
Transportation
Public transportation
Council on Aging works in the area to give elderly and disabled means of transportation.
Roads
Running through Castor are three main highways: Hwy 153 (known in Castor as Front Street), Hwy 507 and Hwy 4 which intersect in the middle of Castor at a 4-way-stop caution light. Other roads include: The Ridge Rd, Elm St, Pardee St, Oak St, Watson Rd and Lodge St.
Water systems
Castor and the area around has two sources of water: the Castor Water System and Alberta Water System. The Alberta Water System was founded by local businessman Reginald A. Page.[1]
Media
The primary source of news in Castor is the Shreveport Times. There are also the Ringgold Progress and the Bienville Democrat, which is published in Arcadia.
Cable Television does not reach into Castor area. Viewers rely on antennas or satellites for coverage.
Miscellaneous
Castor has two main cemeteries: the Old Castor Cemetery east of town and the New Ebenezer Cemetery south of Castor on the highway to Ashland. New Ebenezer is affiliated with the Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Notable natives and residents
- Jamie Fair, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1980-1984
- John Len Lacy, represented Bienville Parish in the Louisiana House from 1964-1968
- Sallie Williams Lacy, wife of Len Lacy and his successor as a member of the Bienville Parish School Board, having served from 1964-1972
- Lee Smith, pitcher, awaiting his nomanation to the Baseball Hall of Fame
References
- ^ a b c d Castor, Louisiana (LA) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders
- ^ a b 71016 Zip Code (Castor, Louisiana) Detailed Profile - residents and real estate info
- ^ Historical marker, "King's Salt Works", U.S. Post Office in Castor
- ^ LOUISIANA TRAILS - Enjoy the Landscape
- ^ MyOilPro.com - Haynesville shale oil & gas leasing in the ark-la-tex
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
