Preserved Civil War battlefield featuring a museum, interpretive exhibits, historic monuments, walking trails, and landscapes associated with a pivotal Confederate victory during the Red River Campaign.
Closed Monday and Tuesday
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day
Seniors (62+): $4
Children 6 and under: Free
How to Get There
From Mansfield, LA (2 mi): Follow LA-175 southeast from downtown Mansfield for approximately two miles, and the historic site entrance will be located along the highway.
Overview
Mansfield State Historic Site preserves the battlefield where one of the most significant engagements of the Red River Campaign unfolded on April 8, 1864. During this clash, Confederate forces under General Richard Taylor successfully halted a larger Union army advancing toward Shreveport, creating what became one of the South's most important battlefield victories west of the Mississippi River. Today, visitors can explore a museum filled with artifacts, military equipment, maps, and personal accounts that bring the campaign to life while providing valuable insight into the broader struggle for control of the Trans-Mississippi region.
Beyond the museum, the historic site encompasses preserved battlefield terrain, monuments, interpretive displays, and walking trails that guide visitors across areas where soldiers fought during the Battle of Mansfield. The rolling landscape and wooded surroundings help visitors visualize the conditions faced by both armies as they maneuvered across the countryside. Educational programs, ranger-led interpretations, and commemorative events further enrich the experience, making the site an engaging destination for Civil War enthusiasts, history students, and travelers interested in Louisiana's role during the conflict.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Mansfield State Historic Site, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
