In this 1967 work, author Patsy Barber has attempted to record for the first time the history of the Cotile, Louisiana area through the interaction of how residents made a living and the determinants of the natural resources upon the fruits of their labor. A thorough effort was made to secure colonial and early statehood records with documentation of every fact included here.

“... Cotton was the hub of western Rapides Parish with roads leading thru it like spokes in a wheel. Cotton production was the aim on most immigrants to Cotile. On the virgin land, cotton grew more than six feet high, with strong branches capable of supporting children who played in it...”

“...The Irish laborers came to Rapides Parish during 1847-1848 and left imprinted upon geographical sites the legacy of their labor, Under contract with the Bayou Rapides Navigation Co., one such undertaking was the clearing of Bayou Bertrand and construction of a drainage canal between Saline Bayou and Bertrand. The work has been designated Irish Ditch No.1.”

Patsy Barber

ISBN: 978-1-68593-233-6

6 x 9 hardcover

178 Pages

Published: First Printing 1967, Reprinted 2025