Tensas Parish, Louisiana

Founding: 1843
Parent parishes: Concordia and Madison
Namesake: The Tensas River
Seat: St. Joseph (1843–)
Land area: 603 square miles
Population (2020): 4,147
Population (historic): 9,040 (1850); 12,419 (1870); 16,647 (1890); 17,060 (1910); 15,096 (1930)
Periods of population growth: pre-1850–1860; 1870s; 1890s; 1920–1940

Subdivisions: Two towns; one village
Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 148 (4.3%)
Pre-1940 housing survival rate: 6.6%
Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940): 4.8%

Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 58.5%

Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 41.3%

Average farmhouse value (1930): $338
Average outbuilding value (1930): $149

Average farmhouse size (1940): 3 rooms

Number of farms (1920): 2,089
Average farm size (1920): 39.6 acres
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St. Joseph

 
Namesake: Uncertain—perhaps St. Joseph
Founding: 1842 (post office); 1843 (platting); 1901 (incorporation)
Population (2020): 831
Population (historic): 486 (1880); 717 (1900); 864 (1930)
Periods of population growth: pre-1880; 1890–1910; 1920–1970

Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 100 (18.5%)
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Outstanding Buildings

1. The Burn / Zenas Preston House (c. 1856). 171 Goldman Road. Greek Revival.
2. Moro Plantation (c. 1839). 229 State Route 566.
3. Myrtle Grove / Bass Plantation (c. 1840). 3638 State Route 568. Greek Revival.
4. Lakewood / Augustus Watson House (c. 1854). 520 State Route 606. Greek Revival.
5. Winter Quarters / Routh–Ogden–Nutt House (c. 1805/1830/1850). 4929 State Route 608. Eclectic.

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