Alexandria, Central transportation hub in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States
This town lies on the south bank of the Red River in a flat plain surrounded by extensive pine forests at an elevation of roughly 75 feet (23 meters) above sea level. It stretches for several miles and forms the economic and administrative center of Rapides Parish with its low buildings and wide streets.
The founding took place in 1805 when Alexander Fulton received land rights from the Spanish colonial administration and settled here. Official incorporation as a town occurred in 1818, and since then the place developed into a regional trading center for timber and agriculture.
The name honors Alexander Fulton, the first European settler who acquired land here and named the town after himself. Today residents use the riverfront along the Red River for walks and fishing, while the downtown area with its brick buildings recalls the early days.
The local airport lies a few miles outside and connects the region with larger cities through regular flights. The town itself is easily accessible by car and offers ample parking in the center and near the main public buildings.
The Kent House from the early 1800s is the oldest surviving building in Central Louisiana and shows the typical construction of French colonial architecture with a raised ground floor and wraparound porch. Visitors can see the original wooden beams and handcrafted bricks that were made without modern tools.
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