Allen Parish, Administrative division in southwestern Louisiana, United States.
Allen Parish is an administrative division in southwestern Louisiana with three main towns: Kinder, Oberlin, and Oakdale that anchor a rural area. The region spans farmland and wooded areas that define its character and landscape.
The parish was established in 1912 after being separated from Calcasieu Parish. It took its name from Henry Watkins Allen, a Confederate general and former Louisiana governor.
The Coushatta Tribe shapes the area through their customs and gatherings held near Kinder that showcase traditional music and dance. These events reflect the indigenous heritage that remains woven into daily life here.
The area is primarily accessed via US Highway 165, which serves as the main transportation corridor. Schools and public services are spread across multiple locations throughout the parish.
The Leatherwood Museum in Oakdale occupies a former hospital building and documents the area's timber industry and farming heritage. Its exhibits tell stories of the workers and entrepreneurs who shaped the region's economy since the early 1900s.
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