History of Olla
Olla was named after Miss Olla Mills, but for many years was
known as White Sulphur Springs. The site served as a steam boat
port on the nearby Castor River and between 1871 and 1911 was a
nationally known health spa. A military high school, Olla Institute,
was also named after Miss Mills who was a prominent early
resident. The school flourished and attracted students from a wide
area until it burned down in 1899.
In 1893 the Houston, Central, Arkansas, and Northern Railroad
came through the area and helped add permanence to the town. It
was incorporated as the town of Olla in August of 1899.
Olla is also known as the site of the only railroad holdup in the state
of Louisiana. The robbers ¼ goal was a large money shipment which
was transferred before it reached the robbery site.
In the early 1800’s, settlers were attracted to the fertile boom-land
along the Chickasaw and Castor Creeks. Along with the richness of
the soil, there were immense hardwood forests, which provided
lumber for homes as well as a perfect habitat for all forms of wildlife.
One mile west of the present town of Olla was a collection of
springs, which became known as Sulphur Springs on Castor Creek.
It was here that steamboats landed and brought supplies for the
area. The springs expelled black mud, which had very high sulphur
content. The “curative powers: of the black sulphur mud was
publicized over a large part of the nation and sufferers of gout,
arthritis, rheumatism and other muscular troubles traveled great
distances, lured by the “healing powers” of the springs. During the
period from 1870 to 1895, Suphur Springs was a flourishing
summer resort and spa with a nice hotel, drugstore, complete with
a doctor’s office, a general merchandize store, and post office.
Rental cabins dotted the beautiful foothills nearby.
In 1890 a military institute, later known as he Olla Military
Institute, was founded by Riley Joe Wilson as a private secondary
school. The institute was known as “the poor man’s college.” Its
graduates were taught mathematics, English and public speaking,
history, natural science (physics), orthography and other branches
of what was then considered “higher learning”. The atmosphere of
the Institute was such that it created poise, urbanity and confidence
in its pupils. Precision marching by the “cadets” in their smart
uniforms and dramatic performances by its pupils were both
entertaining and cultural. The institute flourished for several years
but was destroyed by fire in 1899. It was never rebuilt; public
school was established at this time.
In February of 1891, the Houston Central, Arkansas, and Northern
Railroad came to what was then northwest Catahoula Parish with
plans for buying a 200 foot wide right-of-way over which it would
construct a railroad. When this was complete, Dr. Frank Mills, with
the assistance of Mr. J.D. Adams set aside 40 acres of land for a town-
site. This transaction was recorded on February 9, 1891. The
railroad was complete in 1893 and trains began moving on its
tracks. With its depot Olla became a supply point complete with a
money order post office and telegraph station.
Olla was named for “Olla Mills”, daughter of Dr. Frank Mills and
sister to Judge W.H. Mills, who was a part of Olla for many years.
Mills was an accomplished and popular young lady who was
dramatically inclined, and who took a predominant part in all
constructive community activities. Because of her background in
education and her gift for _expression, Miss Mills was chosen to
head the English department of the Olla military Institute, where
she served with distinction. Miss Olla Mills, who later became Mrs.
CC Young, died in 1901 and is buried in the Olla Cemetery.
The improvements in transportation and communication brought
about by the construction of the railroad in Olla allowed the
population to grow and flourish. Due to the rise in number of
permanent residents, Olla was incorporated in 1899. Dr William
Vannah Taylor, III was elected the first mayor. The 1900 Census
showed a total of just under 200 persons.
The rail service was making many conveniences possible and a
number of businesses began taking advantage of the rail service.
New businesses were established and there were new opportunities
for people, which continued to contribute to the steady growth of
Olla. In 1906 the first brick building was erected, housing Olla State
Bank on the first floor and the Olla Masonic Lodge on the second
floor.
In 1910 Catahoula Parish was split and the Western became LaSalle
Parish. An immediate struggle between the towns of Olla and Jena
over the location of the parish courthouse developed. Jena won the
battle and is till the parish seat.
In 1917 the Missouri-Pacific Railway system had taken over the St
Louis Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad and rail service was
well established. Both local and passenger trains stopped as
scheduled.
By 1920 Olla’s economy was responding well to the success of two
large sawmills in the area. Urania Lumber Co to the South of Olla
and La Central Lumber Co located to the North in Standard.
The early 1920’s also saw Olla receive electric lights. This was made
possible when Mr. G.W. McCartney purchased a dynamo. It was
about this same time that a number of Olla residences were piped
with natural gas.
In the late 1920’s, Olla took another step forward, this time in the
entertainment field, when Mr. Sam Shamblin opened a silent movie
house in Olla. In 1934 the Community Talking Picture Company of
Shreveport gave Olla it’s first talking movies and later a more
modern theater was erected.
In 1938 oil was discovered just outside of Olla’s boundaries. It came
at a time when the large sawmills had begun to shut down and was
a tremendous boost for a sagging economy. The oil field brought a
fresh influx of people and raised Olla’s population to over 2,000
residents, the largest population in its history.
The Southern Baptist encampment and the C.C.C. Camp also left
their mark on Olla. Each year the Baptist gathered for two weeks of
religious instruction, preaching and recreation. The C.C.C. boys
occupied the same facilities the remainder of the year. The area is
still criss-crossed with roads built by these young men.
Olla is still home to one of the oldest fairs in Louisiana. The first fair
was held in 1912 and was organized by B.E. Zeagler of Olla and L.C.
Nunn of Columbia. It began as the LaSalle Parish Fair, but the name
later changed to the North Central Louisiana District Fair.
Sports have played an important part in the history of Olla and the
surrounding community. Olla’s athletes have always been
competitive in all kinds of sports, from one of the earliest teams, the
“Olla Brown Nine,” to semi-pro teams. Memories abound from the
Old Jenkins Stadium to the present day Tiger Stadium.
The people of Olla are proud of their heritage, their churches and
their community. They have adapted to the ever-changing
environment and have overcome their adversaries. Through it all
the people have never forgotten their most precious gift of all, the
gift of rich fertile land abounding with the best that nature has to
offer.
known as White Sulphur Springs. The site served as a steam boat
port on the nearby Castor River and between 1871 and 1911 was a
nationally known health spa. A military high school, Olla Institute,
was also named after Miss Mills who was a prominent early
resident. The school flourished and attracted students from a wide
area until it burned down in 1899.
In 1893 the Houston, Central, Arkansas, and Northern Railroad
came through the area and helped add permanence to the town. It
was incorporated as the town of Olla in August of 1899.
Olla is also known as the site of the only railroad holdup in the state
of Louisiana. The robbers ¼ goal was a large money shipment which
was transferred before it reached the robbery site.
In the early 1800’s, settlers were attracted to the fertile boom-land
along the Chickasaw and Castor Creeks. Along with the richness of
the soil, there were immense hardwood forests, which provided
lumber for homes as well as a perfect habitat for all forms of wildlife.
One mile west of the present town of Olla was a collection of
springs, which became known as Sulphur Springs on Castor Creek.
It was here that steamboats landed and brought supplies for the
area. The springs expelled black mud, which had very high sulphur
content. The “curative powers: of the black sulphur mud was
publicized over a large part of the nation and sufferers of gout,
arthritis, rheumatism and other muscular troubles traveled great
distances, lured by the “healing powers” of the springs. During the
period from 1870 to 1895, Suphur Springs was a flourishing
summer resort and spa with a nice hotel, drugstore, complete with
a doctor’s office, a general merchandize store, and post office.
Rental cabins dotted the beautiful foothills nearby.
In 1890 a military institute, later known as he Olla Military
Institute, was founded by Riley Joe Wilson as a private secondary
school. The institute was known as “the poor man’s college.” Its
graduates were taught mathematics, English and public speaking,
history, natural science (physics), orthography and other branches
of what was then considered “higher learning”. The atmosphere of
the Institute was such that it created poise, urbanity and confidence
in its pupils. Precision marching by the “cadets” in their smart
uniforms and dramatic performances by its pupils were both
entertaining and cultural. The institute flourished for several years
but was destroyed by fire in 1899. It was never rebuilt; public
school was established at this time.
In February of 1891, the Houston Central, Arkansas, and Northern
Railroad came to what was then northwest Catahoula Parish with
plans for buying a 200 foot wide right-of-way over which it would
construct a railroad. When this was complete, Dr. Frank Mills, with
the assistance of Mr. J.D. Adams set aside 40 acres of land for a town-
site. This transaction was recorded on February 9, 1891. The
railroad was complete in 1893 and trains began moving on its
tracks. With its depot Olla became a supply point complete with a
money order post office and telegraph station.
Olla was named for “Olla Mills”, daughter of Dr. Frank Mills and
sister to Judge W.H. Mills, who was a part of Olla for many years.
Mills was an accomplished and popular young lady who was
dramatically inclined, and who took a predominant part in all
constructive community activities. Because of her background in
education and her gift for _expression, Miss Mills was chosen to
head the English department of the Olla military Institute, where
she served with distinction. Miss Olla Mills, who later became Mrs.
CC Young, died in 1901 and is buried in the Olla Cemetery.
The improvements in transportation and communication brought
about by the construction of the railroad in Olla allowed the
population to grow and flourish. Due to the rise in number of
permanent residents, Olla was incorporated in 1899. Dr William
Vannah Taylor, III was elected the first mayor. The 1900 Census
showed a total of just under 200 persons.
The rail service was making many conveniences possible and a
number of businesses began taking advantage of the rail service.
New businesses were established and there were new opportunities
for people, which continued to contribute to the steady growth of
Olla. In 1906 the first brick building was erected, housing Olla State
Bank on the first floor and the Olla Masonic Lodge on the second
floor.
In 1910 Catahoula Parish was split and the Western became LaSalle
Parish. An immediate struggle between the towns of Olla and Jena
over the location of the parish courthouse developed. Jena won the
battle and is till the parish seat.
In 1917 the Missouri-Pacific Railway system had taken over the St
Louis Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad and rail service was
well established. Both local and passenger trains stopped as
scheduled.
By 1920 Olla’s economy was responding well to the success of two
large sawmills in the area. Urania Lumber Co to the South of Olla
and La Central Lumber Co located to the North in Standard.
The early 1920’s also saw Olla receive electric lights. This was made
possible when Mr. G.W. McCartney purchased a dynamo. It was
about this same time that a number of Olla residences were piped
with natural gas.
In the late 1920’s, Olla took another step forward, this time in the
entertainment field, when Mr. Sam Shamblin opened a silent movie
house in Olla. In 1934 the Community Talking Picture Company of
Shreveport gave Olla it’s first talking movies and later a more
modern theater was erected.
In 1938 oil was discovered just outside of Olla’s boundaries. It came
at a time when the large sawmills had begun to shut down and was
a tremendous boost for a sagging economy. The oil field brought a
fresh influx of people and raised Olla’s population to over 2,000
residents, the largest population in its history.
The Southern Baptist encampment and the C.C.C. Camp also left
their mark on Olla. Each year the Baptist gathered for two weeks of
religious instruction, preaching and recreation. The C.C.C. boys
occupied the same facilities the remainder of the year. The area is
still criss-crossed with roads built by these young men.
Olla is still home to one of the oldest fairs in Louisiana. The first fair
was held in 1912 and was organized by B.E. Zeagler of Olla and L.C.
Nunn of Columbia. It began as the LaSalle Parish Fair, but the name
later changed to the North Central Louisiana District Fair.
Sports have played an important part in the history of Olla and the
surrounding community. Olla’s athletes have always been
competitive in all kinds of sports, from one of the earliest teams, the
“Olla Brown Nine,” to semi-pro teams. Memories abound from the
Old Jenkins Stadium to the present day Tiger Stadium.
The people of Olla are proud of their heritage, their churches and
their community. They have adapted to the ever-changing
environment and have overcome their adversaries. Through it all
the people have never forgotten their most precious gift of all, the
gift of rich fertile land abounding with the best that nature has to
offer.
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