Small park looms large in the history of Louisiana music
When people think of music, the great entertainment centers of Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Nashville, New York and Marthaville come to mind.
Marthaville? The small, unincorporated Louisiana community of about 90 people approximately 20 miles west of Natchitoches looms large in preserving the rich musical heritage of Louisiana. Located at 1260 Highway 1221 in Marthaville, the Rebel State Historic Site covers 35 acres of Natchitoches Parish.
“The park houses the Louisiana Country Music Museum, the grave of an unknown Confederate soldier, a stage and amphitheater as well as a picnic pavilion and nature trail,” said Carrie McCormic, the park manager. “The site showcases a unique perspective on the development of music in Louisiana as well as the history of the Louisiana Hayride itself.”
Louisiana Hayride, a radio and later a television country music show, broadcast from the Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium from 1948 to 1960. The show helped launch the careers of such legendary entertainers as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, and many other country music superstars.
“One of our most popular exhibits in the museum is the Louisiana Hayride exhibit which discusses the history of the Louisiana Hayride program and its historic impact on country music,” McCormic said. “The museum showcases that history and development of music in Louisiana. It houses one of the largest collections of Louisiana Hayride memorabilia outside of the Municipal Auditorium exhibit in Shreveport.”
Touring the museum
The Louisiana Hayride show became so popular that regional networks began airing it, with KWKH radio station in Shreveport broadcasting as the flagship station. Stations in the United Kingdom also broadcast the show. The show even aired all around the world on Armed Forces Radio.
The Louisiana Country Music Museum honors the contributions of many Louisiana natives who become prominent in the country and gospel music industries. In the museum, visitors can tour two full rooms dedicated to the Louisiana Hayride and those entertainers who made the program so special. People can see costumes, instruments and pictures donated by various performers to include a shirt worn by Hank Williams, Jr.
“Set in the piney hills of northwestern Louisiana, the Louisiana Country Music Museum contains exhibits that tell the story of how various folk music traditions developed in this region, from early gospel and string band music to the country sounds we enjoy today,” McCormic said. “Guests can tour the museum, walk the nature trail or view the gravesite of an unknown Confederate soldier. We also conduct interpretive programming throughout the year as well.”
Local legend
That Confederate soldier led to the establishment of the park and museum. According to the legend, during the last days of the Civil War, the soldier became separated from his unit. A local family found his body and buried him.
“The grave of the unknown Confederate soldier is an interesting piece of history for our area of Louisiana,” McCormic said. “Memorial concerts were held at the site in his honor. Eventually, that musical history led to the construction of the Louisiana Country Music Museum.”
At an amphitheater on the grounds, people can listen to concerts performing gospel, bluegrass, country and folk music throughout the year. Several non-profit groups also use the amphitheater and accompanying picnic pavilion for various events. The picnic pavilion comes equipped with kitchen facilities, an ice machine and a microwave oven. The park does not offer food or lodging, but people can find whatever they need in Natchitoches or Many.
For more information on the Rebel State Historic Site and the Louisiana Country Music Museum, or to make reservations to visit, call 318-472-6255 or 888-677-3600. Online, see www.lastateparks.com/historic-sites/rebel-state-historic-site.
