Centenary State Historic Site
Originally opened as the College of Louisiana in 1826, the school occupied an old courthouse and other buildings in the town of Jackson. The college steadily grew and two dormitories were built on new property in 1832 and 1837. The West Wing, the latter of these two buildings, remains today. After less than 20 years, the College of Louisiana closed because of declining enrollment. Suffering similar problems was the Methodist/Episcopal-operated Centenary College at Brandon Springs, Mississippi (established in 1839). Centenary then moved to the vacant campus of the College of Louisiana.The Civil War had a profound effect on Centenary College, as it did on most Southern colleges. The school closed for the duration of the war and its buildings were used by both Confederate and Union troops. Centenary College reopened after the war and the Main Academic Building and the East Wing dormitory were demolished in the 1930s, only the West Wing and a professor's house still stand. In 1979 Centenary State Historic Site was added to the National Register of Historic Places, an honorary designation for significant historic sites.
Opened 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Guided tours are offered daily. Charged $2 per person for entrance fees, free for seniors (62 and over) and for children age 12 and under. Groups are asked to call in advance.
