Mansfield (Louisiana)

Mansfield, in Northern Louisiana, is an example of a small town with several big stories, the largest of which revolves around the American Civil War. The parish seat of DeSoto Parish (the Louisiana equivalent of a county), the city is home of several historical sites, including the first women's college in the western United States, and the site of one of the largest Civil War battles west of the Mississippi River (which was also the last major victory of the Southern States during the war).

A historic log cabin courthouse, a charming downtown square, larger-than-life stories of days gone by, and a real joie de vivre among the residents, are key signatures of this seemingly hidden city, which lies 10 miles away from the major Interstate highway in the area. Formed by frontier settlement, marked by the tragedies of the American Civil War, and built up by a sense of community, Mansfield is a surprising town surrounded by the pine forests of northwest Louisiana.

Climate
Mansfield is in northwest Louisiana, an area that sees some of the widest temperature extremes in Louisiana. Summers are typically very hot and humid, with temperatures above common during this time. Although the humidity is somewhat less than the southern and central areas of Louisiana, take the same precautions for this area that you would in New Orleans or areas to the south. During the summer months, it is always advisable to carry several bottles of water in your car, and to dress appropriately for the hot weather. Winters are cool and moist, but the town is still susceptible to colder temperatures than areas further south. Some years have seen winter temperatures as low as, so bring plenty of warm clothes during winter months.

By car
The most practical way to get to Mansfield is by personal car. Several highways pass through the city.


 * US Highway 171 passes through town from north to south. Shreveport is to the north, while Many and Lake Charles are to the south.
 * US Highway 84 passes through from east to west. Logansport and the Texas state line are to the west, while Coushatta is to the east. If coming from Natchitoches via Interstate 49, take Exit 172 (Mansfield/Coushatta) and drive 9 miles west.
 * For travelers coming in from Shreveport via Interstate 49, Louisiana Highway 175 is the fastest route to the city and can be accessed from I-49 at Exit 186 (Frierson/Kingston exit).

By plane
There is a small public airstrip for charter flights or personal aircraft.

The nearest airports with commercial service are:


 * Shreveport Regional Airport, 38 miles north via LA-175 and I-49 North. Airlines serving are Allegiant, American, Delta, and United.
 * Alexandria Regional Airport, 93 miles southeast via US-84 and I-49 South. Airlines serving are American and United.

By car
Driving is the best way to get between sights in and around Mansfield.

On foot
The four city blocks that make up downtown Mansfield are easily traversed by foot and offer a great way to get up close to both the 19th-century log cabin DeSoto Parish Courthouse and the more modern courthouse.

Do

 * Hike the interpretive trail at Mansfield State Historic Site.
 * Attend a reenactment at the Pleasant Hill Battle Site in April, 20 miles southeast on Highway 175.
 * Watch the Mardi Gras parade in January or February to see the event with a unique north Louisiana twist.
 * Attend a classic piece of Americana at one of the local high school football games in the fall. Local high school football teams are the Mansfield Wolverines and the Central Pioneers (Grand Cane, 8 miles NW on US 171).

Buy
There are no specialty stores for tourists to buy souvenirs of the city or any of its sights. For Louisiana and other regional memorabilia, it is best to travel north to Shreveport or south on Interstate 49 (via U.S. 84 9 miles east of the city) to Natchitoches, both of which have more developed infrastructure and resources for tourists than Mansfield. For general personal items and retail goods, there are a handful of stores available.

Fast food
U.S. fast food chains in Mansfield include Dairy Queen, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Popeyes, and Sonic. In addition, there is a local fast food chicken chain, which is popular:.



Alcohol
Beer, wine, and liquor can be purchased from Market Basket or Walmart, but bars and nightclubs are virtually non-existent here. The closest establishments for drink will be in Shreveport.

Coffee houses and cafes
There are no cafes or coffee shops in Mansfield, but the local fast food chains offer coffee and espresso-based drinks.

News

 * Local radio station KJVC 92.7 FM has a handful of daily news broadcasts and talk programs.
 * The Mansfield Enterprise and Interstate Progress is the local newspaper for Mansfield and DeSoto Parish. The Shreveport Times is also available from most retail and convenient stores.

Emergency services

 * As in all areas of the United States, dial 911 for any emergency services.
 * Law enforcement is provided by the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office and the Mansfield Police Department. The Louisiana State Police patrol areas outside of the city limits and often assist on major crimes.
 * Fire and Emergency Medical services are provided by the Mansfield Fire Department and DeSoto Parish EMS respectively.

Crime

 * Mansfield, while a very beautiful and friendly town overall, has a higher than average crime rate for most towns of its size: less than 5,000 people live here, and the chances of becoming a crime victim are 1 in 89: almost on par with some larger cities. Property crime is by far the most common, with theft and burglary being the top 2 offenses. It is advisable to spend as little time as possible outside after dark, especially in the southern half of the town, unless participating in a group activity.
 * The residential part of town bordered by US 84 Business to the west, Gibbs Street to the north, and the city limits to the east and south is especially inadvisable after nightfall.
 * During the day time, you should have no issues, but use common sense wherever you go. The aforementioned residential side of the city has beautiful church architecture and an old plantation home, but be alert. If you see someone come up to you and they look sketchy or suspicious in any way, walk or drive away.

Go next

 * Logansport (Louisiana) - Fishing on the Sabine River, access to Toledo Bend, last international boundary marker between the United States and the Republic of Texas.
 * Natchitoches - Oldest city in Louisiana, historic homes and forts, scenic downtown district on Cane River Lake.
 * Piney Woods - East Texas, known for forestry, lakes, old Main Street communities, and camping.

American Civil War enthusiasts
If visiting Mansfield for Civil War history, the logical next steps for southbound travelers would be to visit the monuments at the Pleasant Hill Battle Site southeast of the city on Highway 175. From there, it is a two-mile drive south to the modern town of Pleasant Hill, where you can turn left onto Highway 174 and drive east back to Interstate 49 for southbound transit.

If heading north, Shreveport offers tidbits of Civil War history and exhibits at its Spring Street Historical Museum and the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum.

Outdoors activities
For outdoors enthusiasts, heading west to the Toledo Bend Reservoir on either the Texas or Louisiana side offers a variety of opportunities for boating, camping, and fishing. An hour northeast of Mansfield near the village of Doyline is Lake Bistineau State Park, which offers both cabin, primitive, and RV camping, along with boating and fishing for bass and catfish.