In 1884 the Town of Haughton took its name from the family of William and Harriet Hassell Haughton. The Haughton family moved from Tennessee to Mississippi and finally settled in a Southeast Bossier town around 1845. Mr. Haughton was a wealthy man by the time he made his way to the rich bottom lands of what is now known as Fifi Bayou. Mr. Haughton was a farmer and teacher and he, his wife, and their two children settled on two thousand acres of prime land to be known as Haughton Place. Mr. Haughton so loved the land that he had settled that he wrote his friend David Lawrence of Mississippi and told him he should move to the area. Mr. Lawrence and his eight children quickly followed Mr. Haughton’s advice and purchased seven thousand acres of land. All of the land that became the town of Haughton was developed from these first two families. Paul Lawrence, one of David Lawrence’s sons, grew up in the area and was studying to become a doctor as the Civil War broke out. He joined the Robin Grays of Bossier Parish and was wounded twice, once at Chickamauga and again in the Battle at New Hope Chapel. His injury at New Hope in May 1864 would result in the loss of his right leg, yet, he continued to fight as a member of the Invalid Corps. He was taken prisoner in Alabama, but released a week later. After the war Paul returned to medical school at the University of New Orleans. After graduation Dr. Lawrence returned home and married William Haughton’s daughter Mary Jane Haughton in 1870. With the union of the Haughton and Lawrence’s came the combining of the families’ land that was to become Haughton. In 1881 Mary Jane Haughton Lawrence, with her husband’s approval, sold land to the railroads for twenty dollars cash. At the time of the purchase the Town was known as Lawrenceville, but by 1884 the town’s name had been changed to Haughton because the railroad already had a Lawrenceville on its route. The railroad brought life to Haughton which at the time boasted three saloons and a box car used as a railroad station. In 1885 Mrs. Lawrence deeded eighty acres to the railroads for a railroad station and declared all streets for public use forever. She began selling lots and Haughton soon became a town and businesses started to prosper. In no time at all Haughton was booming with growth and has continued this growth while still remaining a rural family-like community.
Taken from atop the church bell tower. A wagon loaded with a bale of cotton proceeds to the railroad depot. the three-story building in the center is the Crume Hotel. At the far left top is the store of T.H. Lawrence, which was the last surviving building, until 1997, when it was dismantled. the white house on the right would burn in the 1950s. Behind it is the Edwards' home, which would burn in the 1990s. Fire has been a strong enemy of Bossier Parish's early homes and towns.
Dr. Paul Lawrence is shown standing with his family in front of his south Haughton home. From left to right are T. Humphrey Lawrence, Mary Lawrence (sister to Paul), Dr. Paul Lawrence, Eva Lawrence, Myrtis Lawrence, Mary Haughton Lawrence (wife of Paul), Sudye Lawrence (youngest of nine children), and Lucille Lawrence.
Circa 1890
Built in 1853, used until 1892. A two story brick structure, 60 feet long and 44 feet wide, built on a stone foundation.This companion photograph shows the rear of the courthouse at Bellevue that was used until November 11, 1890, when, amid controversy, the records were moved to Benton. the courthouse at Bellevue was neglected until May 4, 1910, when it was sold to Sam Lee, a Haughton farmer, for $25 for the materials. The house built from the materials was standing in 1999.
Circa 1910's
1906, Haughton school had moved to its present location, and a newer wooden building was built. It still encompassed all grades. The entire student body came out for this picture. This wooden building stood until 1927 when the newer brick building was built. 1900s-1910s
A group of children and teachers in front of the baptist church.
