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.
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.
Town of Olla
History
History
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