I am a lifelong resident of Harrisonburg. My family is one of the oldest surviving families in the area (Boothe...there are many branches). I go to LSU in Baton Rouge, but go home often. I never realized the historical importance of Fort Beauregard until a friend wanted to go take pictures up there this weekend. So, here's a firsthand look at the realistic picture.

Harrisonburg, Louisiana has a population of less than 800. 27% of the people there live below the poverty line. The people there don't really know much about Fort "Hill" as they call it. It's basically just there. When I was young, my mom used to tell me stories about it, and we used to go to the festival in town, but all that has dissipated, along with the aging population.

Now, as for Fort Beauregard today, it's nothing. There is a hill. Everything around it has been cut and cleared, but the park area has remained wooded. Back before I can remember, someone (village, parish, state) built a small pavillion and Greek style theatre on the hill, I suppose for the festival. There's also a tiny little playhouse style mock fort that has begun to rot. That's all that's left, besides a WW2 memorial plaque.

Nobody in the village pays much attention to the park anymore. There are a few aged residents who still may know a little about the park. Joe Green, Jack F. Owens, Jr., Cater and Lillian Aplin, and Jean E. Mitchell may know more about the fort.

As for the buildings with holes in them, and such, there is one house I know of that still has a shell-fire hole. Also, in town, there is the Seargeant House/Hotel, which is on the National Registrar of Historic Places.

I hope some of this helps... get back to me at rkalagood@hotmail.com

-R. Kyle Alagood