Tallulah is a rural farming community with access to Vicksburg
Tallulah was founded in 1857, and in just five years, it became an important train and telegraph station for Civil War armies. But it was best known as an area of cotton and corn farming, and the rural community remains an agricultural hub. “It has some of the most fertile farmland in the country,” says Jay Shepherd, a Realtor with French Realty LLC. Shepherd also says the city is within driving distance of Meta’s upcoming $10 billion artificial intelligence data center near Rayville, scheduled for completion in 2030. The data center could represent a change for area residents, who are used to small-town life. Tallulah is mainly a residential community that enjoys local restaurants, the surrounding area’s natural beauty, and access to Vicksburg across the Mississippi River, about 25 miles away.
Ranch-style and Acadian homes for below-median prices
Most area homes are of traditional style, including some brick ranch-style houses. There are also Acadian-style properties, which have columns and covered porches. The median sale price is around $130,000, well below the national median. The slow-flowing Brushy Bayou bisects the city, and several highways and bridges let drivers cross it. Tallulah’s streets lie in grid-like patterns and are mostly narrow, with roads often having no lane lines. Sidewalks are uncommon in the car-centric community. Yards are typically small but can have small and medium bushes, with a few tall trees spread throughout the region.
The area has Southern, Cajun and Chinese eateries and a Dollar General
Tallulah has chain restaurants, plus some locally owned options. Chopsticks has a Chinese-inspired lunch buffet. Country Pride, located within a TA Travel Center, has Southern-style breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fox’s Pizza Den, a regional chain, makes traditional pies and sandwiches. Farmer’s Club, off U.S. Route 65, has a cafe that serves burgers and po’ boys as well as a general store. Doug’s Market provides groceries, and Dollar General carries essentials. More restaurants and shops can be found across the Mississippi River in Vicksburg, including Rusty’s Riverfront Grill. “It’s all local seafood and the vibe is great,” Shepherd says. “It’s a hidden gem.”
The Madison Parish School District and a private school option
Students are served by the Madison Parish School District. Those in prekindergarten through third grade can attend Tallulah Elementary School, which has a C-minus Niche grade. Wright Elementary School, for grades 4-6, also gets a C-minus, as does Madison Middle School. Madison High School offers a JROTC program and earns a C rating.
The state’s LA GATOR Scholarship Program gives education scholarship accounts to participating families. The families receive funds to pay for private school tuition or other expenses. The private Tallulah Academy/Delta Christian School, for prekindergarten through 12th grade, carries a B Niche score.
The region sits close to hunting and fishing opportunities and museums
There are no traditional parks in Tallulah. Residents can fish in Brushy Bayou, and more expansive recreation exists in the Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge. The visitor contact station is less than 20 miles west, but the refuge covers nearly 80,000 acres, or 125 square miles. Black bears roam the area, and the river contains bass, crappie and catfish. Hunting is also allowed in the region, with deer and squirrels being the most popular game.
The Madison Parish Courthouse grounds are known for their oak, magnolia and dogwood trees in addition to the building’s white, columned facade. The courthouse gazebo holds weddings and other events. The Hermione Museum educates visitors on the area’s history. A few miles east, the Southern Heritage Air Foundation Museum shares World War II artifacts and allows visitors to ride in one of five classic airplanes. Vicksburg has more museums and an Ameristar Casino location. There are several churches in the area, including First Baptist Church Tallulah.
Drivers can easily get on Interstate 20 to get to Monroe
U.S. Route 65 snakes along Brushy Bayou and heads north and south through the region, while Interstate 20 passes south of the city center, heading east and west. Railroads cross through the center of Tallulah. “Get used to the traffic of tractors running through town,” Shepherd says. “That can slow things down.” Monroe is about 60 miles west, and Monroe Regional Airport is close to a 55-mile drive. Shepherd says hurricanes or other heavy storms don’t usually impact the area. The Madison Voluntary Council on Aging provides an on-demand ride service; trips within Tallulah are $3 round trip, with fares increasing for travel to neighboring communities.
