Many combines the conveniences of town with access to Toledo Bend
A large bass statue on the side of the road is likely the only bass someone will see in Many, but the sculpture represents the allure of the Louisiana town. The seat of Sabine Parish, Many is one of the closest towns to Toledo Bend Reservoir, a lake that attracts visitors from across the South. People in Many live within 20 miles of Toledo Bend’s bass-fishing bays, boat ramps and hiking trails. At the same time, residents don’t have to travel as far as those who live on the lake for schools, shopping or dining out.
Shaded yards and expansive lots in Many
Ranch-style homes and split-levels line rectangular blocks heavy with pine trees. Outside the town limits, woods surround larger homes on spacious lots. Single-family listings range in price from $75,000 to $485,000, though houses on 10-plus acres are priced from $685,000 to $875,000. There are also clusters of mobile homes throughout Many. Only one mobile home has recently been sold, and it cost $190,000.
Attending the Sabine Parish School District
Children can go to Many Elementary from kindergarten through fourth grade and Many Junior High for fifth through eighth grades. Niche gives Many Elementary a B-plus, while Many Junior High scores a B. Many High receives an A-minus, the highest Niche grade awarded to any of Sabine Parish’s seven high schools. Many High teaches several agriculture-related courses, including Equine Science and Livestock Production.
Toledo Bend Reservoir nearby and a new community center in the works
Though there are few parks in Many, several large recreation sites are just outside of town. One of the most prominent is Toledo Bend Reservoir, a lake stretching along the Louisiana-Texas state line. It’s known for bass fishing, and the lake regularly hosts bass tournaments. Closer to Many, people can stroll the grounds of Fort Jessup State Historic Site, a mix of preserved and reconstructed U.S. military buildings from the early 1800s, when parts of Louisiana were claimed by both the U.S. and Spain. At Sabine Wildlife Management Area, 7,500 acres of forest are open to hunting and hiking. Cars race around the dirt track at Sabine Speedway from February to September.
A local nonprofit is converting a shuttered school in Many into a community center with a gym, computer lab and art education classroom. The campus was built in the ‘50s for African American students, integrated in 1970 and closed in 2002. A grant from the National Park Service is partially funding the project, which is expected to wrap up in 2029.
Crawfish, clothing stores and churches along Highway 6
Brick, stone and stucco buildings line Louisiana Highway 6 through the center of town. Bayou Crawfish boils seafood and grills steaks on one end of downtown, while Hanger & Thorn Boutique carries a curated selection of women’s clothes on the other. Outside of downtown, people can shop at large chains such as Walmart and Brookshire Brothers, as well as family-owned businesses. The latter include Family Farm & Garden and Nichols, a department store selling children’s clothes, hunting gear and home décor. Behind Highway 6, some of Many’s congregations gather in churches on Main Street, including First Baptist Church and Many First United Methodist Church. St. John the Baptist Catholic Church has stood about a block away since the 1920s.
The Sabine Parish Fair and Rodeo has been a tradition since 1910
The empty barn, arena and fields of the Sabine Parish Fairgrounds come alive in September with the arrival of the Sabine Parish Fair and Rodeo. Three days of 4H Club exhibits and crafts lead up to the opening of a carnival at the fairgrounds. That’s followed by three days of music, livestock shows and rodeo events.
Located at the intersection of Highway 6 and U.S. Route 171
Highway 6 and U.S. Route 171 intersect in Many. The former continues 30 miles to Natchitoches, and the latter passes Sabine Medical Center. It’s 80 miles to Shreveport Regional Airport, where passengers can catch nonstop flights to nine U.S. cities, including Las Vegas and Charlotte.
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Written By
Alex Soderstrom
