Oakdale’s timber roots still shape its small-town charm
Logging and lumber shaped Oakdale. When the railroad arrived in 1902, during a period known as the Louisiana Lumber Boom, the Allen Parish city developed as a timber town, attracting sawmills and workers who built Oakdale into a hub of forestry and wood production. This industry is still present in the community of about 8,000, due to the area’s proximity to the region’s vast pine woodlands and multiple waterways. These scenic natural areas also attract those who want to be near hiking, hunting and fishing areas. Plus, Oakdale offers a small-town feel, with local businesses and friendly neighbors. “The people are the main reason people want to live there,” says Realtor Jamie Ponthier with Keller Williams Realty Cenla Partners, who has sold many homes in the area. “Everyone knows each other’s name. It’s good friends and good people.”
Oakdale blends small-town recreation with natural escapes
Many recreational facilities bring neighbors together. The Oakdale Lions Club, Oakdale Lions Youth Center, Oakdale Community Center, the library and Oakdale Recreational Pool are clustered around each other on East 7th Avenue. Parents pack the stands of the Oakdale Dixie Youth Baseball Field, which hosts Little League spring and ball. Built in 1888, the Leatherwood Museum showcases Oakdale’s history. The building has been a family home, a boarding school, a hospital and a railroad way station. Today, as a museum, it showcases the living quarters of the Leatherwood Family and what it was like to live in Oakdale at the turn of the century.
A short drive west, West Bay Wildlife Management Area spans nearly 60,000 acres of forested wetlands and uplands. Hunters visit during deer, turkey and waterfowl seasons, while hikers and birdwatchers are drawn to the crisscrossed trails and wildlife variety. For water-based activities, Oakdale is surrounded by rivers and creeks popular for fishing, boating, canoeing and kayaking. The Calcasieu River winds through Allen Parish and is known for its hearty trout and redfish supply, especially in Calcasieu Lake, which is fed by the river. Additionally, the community is near many large forests, like Palustris Experimental Forest and Kisatchie National Forest.
Oakdale’s major employers
The Oakdale Federal Correctional Complex sits on the east side of town. It includes the Federal Correction Institution, Oakdale, for low-security male inmates, and the Federal Detention Center, Oakdale, which houses pre-trial and holdover male inmates. It’s near the Oakdale Community Hospital, another major employer. Just north of town, the Roy O. Martin Lumber Company has an oriented strand board plant.
Cottages and ranch-style homes sit on tree-lined streets
Green grass, mature trees and tall brush frame Oakdale’s bumpy, unlined residential roads. Small cottages and modest ranch-style homes are common and sit on grassy lots. For under $100,000, buyers can find a property needing significant repairs, while move-in-ready houses can range from $110,000 to $170,000.
Chain stores and hometown favorites serve Oakdale residents
Oakdale’s a small town, but it has everything residents may need, like a Buddy’s IGA Foods grocery store, a Tractor Supply Co. and a Walmart. There are many restaurants here, from well-known chains like Pizza Hut and McDonald’s to local spots. In a modest red building, Crawfish Shack offers classic Louisiana seafood. Café on 10th is a go-to for lunch, serving everything from soups and salads to hamburgers and chicken strips. Woodz Hawg BBQ is popular for pulled pork sandwiches, while El Maizal Mexican Grill serves Tex-Mex favorites.
Allen Parish Public Schools serve Oakdale
Students are zoned for the Allen Parish Public Schools district. They can attend Oakdale Elementary, which gets a B-minus from Niche, before Oakdale Middle, which gets a C-plus. They can finish their public education at Oakdale High, which earns a B. The high school’s women’s basketball team won the state championship in 2023 and 2025.
Fete Du Void blends camping, live music and visual art
Fete Du Void is an immersive, multi-day camping, music and arts festival held annually in the community. Founded by the psychedelic funk band The Iceman Special, the festival features a diverse lineup of bands and DJs spanning rock, funk, electronic, jam and hip-hop, alongside live art installations, painting and curated vendor booths.
Old roads and highways connect Oakdale to nearby cities
Oakdale is car-dependent. “The roads are mostly old, and backroads are the main way to get around,” Ponthier says. U.S. Route 165 runs and Louisiana state Highway 10 intersect in the community and lead throughout the region. Alexandria is about 40 miles north, Lafayette is about 70 miles southeast and Baton Rouge is about 104 miles east. For air travel, Alexandria International Airport is about 43 miles away.
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
