Grand Cane is a historic village defined by its nostalgic look
Grand Cane is frozen in time. The historic village in Louisiana’s DeSoto Parish was built around railroad trade in the late 1800s, but its economic success waned after the Great Depression. Instead of attempting to modernize, the rural area fell into obscurity. In the 1990s, a series of actions — kickstarted by the village’s purchase of its Hicks & Richardson building, a former general store — led to Grand Cane’s Historic District earning a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. What was once a dormant area began getting visitors. In 2009, the village was certified as a cultural district, and is now home to several shops, restaurants and galleries, all sitting within buildings preserved with their original looks. “The whole stretch is maybe 2 miles, but it’s a cute little town,” says Hayli Cagle, a Realtor with Keller Williams Northwest Louisiana Realty. “It’s the country. Everybody knows everybody.”
Traditional homes from the early 1900s through the 2000s sit on large lots
Grand Cane has several single-level traditional homes built in the 2000s that can range from $170,000 to $280,000, with the more expensive ones coming with larger lots of 4 acres or more. Houses from the early 1900s can go from $210,000 to $630,000. “They have been preserved, and they look great,” Cagle says. While residences are found in the village itself, plenty also sit in seclusion within the wilderness. Community roads in the car-dependent area are narrow and lack streetlights. It has a CAP Index crime score of 1 out of 10, well below the U.S. average of 4. Older Grand Cane properties do not typically go on the market as they are usually passed down within families. Large parcels of land are available for development in the surrounding region, often between $5,000 and $25,000 per acre.
Picnicking, fishing and camping, plus shows at The BackAlley Community Theatre
Grand Cane Park has a playground, picnic tables, a rentable pavilion and open green space. DeSoto Motorsport Park, constructed by two-time Motocross World Champion Trampas Parker, hosts dirt track races involving motorcycles and utility terrain vehicles, or UTVs. In Cook Creek, just outside of the community, anglers can fish for largemouth bass and bluegill. Southwest of the region is the 117-acre Oak Ridge Park, where people can go camping, fishing and boating. The area has various hunting seasons, with ducks open on specific days from November through January, and deer open Dec. 5-Jan. 12 if using a firearm. The BackAlley Community Theatre holds productions of shows like “The Sound of Music.” There are three churches within the village and several more within a few miles. Grand Cane Baptist Church hosts community events like blood drives.
Mardi Gras celebrations and markets with food trucks
Each year, the village hosts Krewe of Demeter Mardi Gras celebrations, which begin in August and last through April. Highlight events include Bingo, Beads & Boos in October, the Grand Bal & Tableau party in January and the Mardi Gras Parade in April. Fall and Christmas markets are also held annually, with food trucks and vendors selling homemade items.
Restaurants along Main Street and everyday shopping in Mansfield
A few restaurants sit along the community’s Main Street. By Faith Coffee House is open for breakfast and lunch. Village Cuisine has rotating specials and offers catering in addition to its sit-down restaurant. Creole Cravings specializes in catfish, crawfish and boudin entrees. It hosts live music on summer weekends. Grand Cane is home to small specialty stores like In High Cotton, which sells home decor items, and Bella Donna Boutique & Soapery, which has women’s clothing. Residents will have to leave town to do most of their everyday shopping. In Mansfield, less than 10 miles away, Brookshire’s provides groceries, while retail options include Walmart Supercenter and Ivan Smith Furniture. Larger selections can be found in Shreveport, around 35 miles north.
DeSoto Parish Schools and Central Christian Academy
Students are served by DeSoto Parish Schools. They can attend Mansfield Elementary School, which has a C-plus Niche grade. It is the pilot school for the district’s student wellness program. Mansfield Middle School earns a C score, as does Mansfield High School. Central Christian Academy, a private kindergarten through 12th grade institution, gets a B-minus.
U.S. Route 171 takes drivers toward Shreveport Regional Airport
Grand Cane is bisected by U.S. Route 171, also known as the Purple Heart Highway in recognition of those who have received the military honor. The road can take drivers into Mansfield, where DeSoto Regional Health System has its 34-bed hospital, or toward Shreveport Regional Airport, which is close to 30 miles away. Cagle says the area can feel the effects of hurricanes and tornadoes, but lasting damage is usually minimal.
