Saint Helena Parish

Saint Helena Parish is an administrative division in southeastern Louisiana with forests, farmland, and small residential communities. Greensburg serves as its administrative center, housing the courthouse, police department, and municipal offices.

The area was formally established as a parish in 1810 during the territorial period, taking its name from a Spanish settlement that existed before American control. This founding represented the transition from Spanish to American administrative structures.

The name comes from an earlier Spanish settlement, reflecting the mixed cultural heritage of the region. Today, residents gather regularly for community events and agricultural celebrations that bring people together.

Administrative services and public facilities are concentrated mainly in Greensburg during regular business hours on weekdays. The parish covers a rural area where driving is the most practical way to navigate between communities.

The local government operates through a Police Jury system rather than a typical county commission, a method found only in Louisiana parishes. This distinct governance approach sets the region apart from standard American administrative practices elsewhere.