For a small Louisiana city, Minden has seen a lot. Since being founded in 1836, it has been a shipping point on Bayou Dorcheat, the headquarters for two railroad companies and home to one of the world’s largest lumber mills. Located about 30 miles east of Shreveport, the city is currently anchored by Camp Minden, a military training site. Though the population has declined in recent years due to Louisiana's shrinking job market, Minden’s 12,000 citizens are working build back their city. “I moved here from Shreveport, and I wouldn’t go back,” says Catherine Hunt, Realtor with LA State Realty. “You don’t have the hustle-bustle here. Things are more laid-back, and we’re working on growing and making it a better place to live.” The Minden St. Jude auction, held every February, highlights the population's commitment to charity. Since the auction’s inception, Minden has raised more money per capita for St. Jude than any city in the United States. “Our city has a big heart,” Hunt says.
Minden's history has been carefully preserved in the cities architecture.
Camp Minden is one of the area's larger employers employing many of Minden's residents.
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Job opportunities in and around Minden
Fibrebond, a manufacturing and production company, is in the midst of a $50 million expansion that’s expected to add hundreds of new jobs. Camp Minden is already a major player in the local economy, and Estes Energetics is developing a new chemical manufacturing facility. Minden Medical Center flanks the downtown district and employs more than 500 workers.
Several highways branch off Minden’s Main Street. Louisiana Highway 159 passes through the Caney Lakes Recreation Area, and U.S. Route 79 leads west to Shreveport and the closest major airport, about 30 miles away.
Find great health care at Minden Medical Center in downtown Minden.
Many Minden residents work at the nearby manufacturing facilities.
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Victorian-era homes in historic district
Minden’s historic residential district features a collection of Victorian-era homes. Overall, the city’s median home price is around $155,000, less than half the national median and about $100,000 lower than the median price for Louisiana. Starter homes can cost $125,000 to $200,000, but most housing stock is priced from $250,000 to $400,000.
A one story Queen Anne Cottage is one of the many home styles found in Minden.
Foursquare homes can be found throughout Minden's neighborhoods.
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The history of Webster Parish
Exhibits at the Dorcheat Historical Museum tell the story of Webster Parish, beginning with the Caddo natives who built their homes around the bayou. The Germantown Colony and Museum expands on the city’s history, preserving artifacts from the early German settlers. In early October, the Webster Parish Fair rides into town with carnival rides and 4-H shows, all within a mile of the downtown district. Folks with Celtic heritage don their kilts for the Scottish Tartan Festival, held downtown in spring.
Learn the history around Minden, from the Caddo Indians to the present at Dorcheat Museum.
Discover the history of Minden's early German settlers at the Germantown Colony and Museum.
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Grilling on Main in downtown Minden
Minden’s red-bricked Main Street received a boost in 2022 when it was featured on HGTV’s “Home Town Kickstart.” The downtown business mix is diverse, as antique shops share space with coffeehouses, cigar bars and bistros. The city takes its barbecue seriously, hosting an annual Grilling on Main competition for local pitmasters. Shopping centers, hardware stores and fast-food chains can be found near U.S. Route 79 on the eastern outskirts.
Minden’s early Christian settlers founded several churches that stand as architectural landmarks in and around downtown. The First Methodist Church of Minden supports the United Christian Assistance Program and the local food pantry to help families in need.
Downtown Minden was featured on 2022's HGTV "Home Town Kickstart".
Find many national chain restaurants along Minden's Hwy 79.
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Site of the original Minden Academy
Students attend schools in the Webster Parish Public Schools district, which has a Niche grade of B-minus. Minden High School sits on the site of the original Minden Academy, one of the first public schools chartered by Louisiana’s state legislature.
Minden High School earned a B grade from Niche.
The dedicated teachers of Webster Junior High School in Minden earned a B+ from Niche.
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Paddling on Bayou Dorcheat
Cypress groves and hardwood forests make Bayou Dorcheat a scenic kayaking destination. Hiking trails weave along the banks of serene lakes in the Caney Lakes Recreation Area, a popular boating and swimming spot. Anglers cast for largemouth bass on Lake Bistineau, about 25 miles south.
Take a kayaking trip along the scenic Bayou Dorcheat near Minden.
Take a hike along many of the trails that wind through the woods at Caney Lakes near Minden.
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Environmental concerns and other factors
Ammunition stored at Camp Minden contains chemicals that can cause groundwater contamination issues, and chemical leaks from other businesses have contributed to the problem in the past. The Louisiana Department of Health is monitoring the situation. The area is also prone to tornadoes, especially in spring. Recent crime statistics are not readily available.
Written By
Adrienne Ryan
Photography Contributed By
Clayton Hurst
Video By
Kyo Nguyen
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On average, homes in Minden, LA sell after 45 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Minden, LA over the last 12 months is $330,000, up 1122% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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