Sunday, July 28, 2013

Stop #4. (Rapides) Martin's Springs in the "Great Pine Woods," home of W.C.C.C. Martin


(pg. 9) Turn right on Martin Springs Road which leads across a lake, driving over a small bridge, and resuming the drive through the forests. Your entrance into Alexander Forest Wildlife Management Area is marked by a sign on your right. You will pass two small roads leading off to the right, but continue straight ahead to Marker #4.
Marker #4 designates the site of the William "3 C's" Martin home of pre-Civil War period where Ford stopped with his slaves.

(pg. 10) The trail probably enters the site of the Martin homestead ("the Big House") from the rear, while the original trail leads to the front of the house site.

It was certainly a beautiful place with cold, clear water from Martin's Springs, which were probably not far behind the house at the foot of the small hill on which the house stood. The hill is partly encircled by the very pretty little creek running off from the springs.
Martin Springs Road, on which you are riding, runs to the rear of the old William C.C.C. Martin homesite. The original path through the woods, taken by Ford and the three slaves, entered from the front of this site.
To the right of Martin Spring's Road, the old Martin Cemetery lies to the left. Behind the modern cemetery, down the path still visible through the woods, about fifty feet distant lies the old cemetery. In it, is the broken tombstone over the grave of Wm. C.C.C. Martin, his wife, and other family members. Martin was one of the most prominent of the Rapides Parish planters and president of the parish police jury.

Avoyelles Parish: Crossroads of Louisiana Where All Cultures Meet

by: Sue Eakin


Upon doing yet another Google search today on my hunt to find as much information as I can about Bayou Boeuf, I discovered this Google E-Book: http://books.google.com/books/about/Avoyelles_Parish.html?id=0D8-UBjZ6Y8C

Here are some excerpts about the trail that goes through Avoyelles Parish (pgs. 86-87):



I would love to download this e-book for around $30, however, I have to hold off. For now I will enjoy these excerpts as well as the other free exerpts available on Google Reader.