The Jefferson Highway -- Avoyelles
What part does Avoyelles play in the Jefferson Highway corridor? Highway 71 passing through Bunkie is on the Jefferson Highway. Originally, it entered into Avoyelles from Rapides Parish on the northside at Shirley Road leading into Mainstreet (Hwy. 71) then continuing to St. Landry Parish. There were 26 original members from Avoyelles to join the JH Association, among those most notable were C.J. Pope and R.D. Nibert. In 1919, the Membership Campaign in Louisiana developed into a competition for first honors in the Louisiana Membership race. The first heat closed on January 13 with Bunkie in the top recruitment position and the second heat closed on January 25, 1919 again with Bunkie maintaining the lead at 160 members. Also in 1919 Avoyelles Parish voted on a one million, two hundred and fifty thousand dollar bond issue for road building, the first tax voted for this purpose. The first gravel road was built in 1920. In 1930, the concrete or paved highway in Bunkie was built, the Jefferson Highway. This is probably when Highway 71 was straightened and did not include Shirley Road. Tourist Camp Below is a listing from the Jefferson Highway 1923 Tourist Camp Manual. At right, is a 1927 map showing a map of Bunkie. Note the location of the "Free Tourist Park" New Orleans to Winnipeg The Jefferson Highway was organized in November, 1915 at New Orleans, Louisiana. It was organized for the dual purpose of providing a great north and south highway and to honor the name of Thomas Jefferson for the part he played in the Louisiana Purchase. The original concept was formed at Des Moines, Iowa by E.T. Meredith, former Secretary of Agriculture, but for sentimental reasons the organization meeting was held in New Orleans. A highway stretching from New Orleans to Canada would be beneficial for farmers to move crops to market and tourists could travel through cities and back roads bringing commerce to both large and small communities. The meeting to discuss the plan was held in New Orleans by the New Orleans Association of Commerce. Invitations were sent to 750 state and local governments, advocates for improved roads, automobile clubs and other community organizations. Organizers expected a small group of concerned citizens to arrive in the Crescent City that fall, but more than 500 people from 11 states arrived. In 1915, the Jefferson Highway Association was organized to promote the development of the highway which would cover 2,300 miles through seven U.S. states. It was also known as the "Pine to Palm Highway".