Small-town Jackson in East Feliciana Parish once had a college campus. Most of it is gone now, and what's left makes up Centenary State Historic Site, a quiet stop for history fans.

Two colleges, one campus

The story begins in 1826, when the College of Louisiana opened in Jackson in an old courthouse and a few other buildings. Two dormitories were built on new property in 1832 and 1837. The newer of the two, known as the West Wing, still stands.

Enrollment fell, and the College of Louisiana closed in less than 20 years. Centenary College, founded in 1839 at Brandon Springs, Mississippi, then moved onto the empty campus. Just before the Civil War, the merged school had about 250 students and 11 faculty members.

War, then a move to Shreveport

The college shut down during the Civil War, and both Confederate and Union troops used its buildings. The dormitories became hospital space in October 1862 and again during the 1863 siege of Port Hudson. Union troops also used the Main Academic Building as an area headquarters.

Centenary reopened after the war but never got back to where it had been, and in 1908 it moved to Shreveport. The main building and East Wing were torn down in the 1930s. Today, only the West Wing and a professor's house remain. A Civil War-era cemetery next to the site holds soldiers from both sides. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Plan your visit

Centenary is at 3522 College St. in Jackson. The grounds are open Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They close on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Buildings open for special programs or by appointment.

General admission is $6 for ages 7 to 61, $4 for seniors 62 and older and free for kids 6 and under. A guided tour that includes the buildings costs $10, or $8 for seniors. Questions? Call (225) 654-3775.

Cooler fall weather makes this an easy afternoon trip north of Baton Rouge.