Cloud Family Gathering July 18-20, 2014, Natchitoches, LA

  • Don't Miss It!
    Come Have Fun With Us
    and Let's See What Falls
    From Your Family Tree
  • Old Natchitoches Parish Courthouse
    Home of the Natchitoches Genealogical
    and Historical Association (NGHA) Library
  • Horse-drawn carriage rides
    in historic Natchitoches
  • the River Walk along the Cane River
  • Overlook of the riverwalk
    in Natchitoches
  • Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
    & Northwest Louisiana History Museum
  • Fort Saint Jean Baptiste Museum
  • Lasoyne's Meat Pie Restaurant
  • Memory Lawn Cemetery

Natchitoches

The Natchitoches (pronounced Nack-a-tish) were Caddo Indians and their name means "Paw-Paw People" or "Chinquapin eater". The Caddo were a group of tribes who lived near present day Texarkana, Texas.

They aided the French explorer Louis Juchereau de St. Denis who commanded forts in the area and established 6 missions in East Texas along with the Spanish. The Natchitoches had been temporarily living near Lake Pontchartrain and returned to their homeland on the banks of the Red River and there in 1714 they and a group of French Canadians established the town named for them. Many French traders married members of the tribe but, in less than a hundred years, a fever epidemic followed by smallpox killed most of the Natchitoches. In 1835 the Caddo people ceded its territory to the United States.

Alligator Park

This five-acre park is the largest of its kind in Louisiana, complete with Cajun music, Cajun cuisine, and LOTS of hungry alligators. The whole family will enjoy watching and feeding these big gators. Children also love the Feeding Zoo, the Bird Sanctuary, the Reptile Habitat, the Jungle, Turtle Town, Rocky Raccoon Resort and much more.

Northwestern State University

Home to Northwestern State University.

Your Presence is Requested

The Cloud Family-at-large gets together every two years for an international Gathering or Reunion. If you are part of the extended Cloud Family, you will be warmly welcomed at the Gathering. Please join us in Natchitoches, LA July 18-20, 2014.

Ft. St. Jean Baptiste Historic Site

Visit the visitor’s center, day use facilities and fort replica.