Texas & Pacific Railway Depot Community Use
The Texas & Pacific Railway Depot (Depot) is an important building within the City of Natchitoches, Louisiana and it serves as Cane River Creole National Historical Park’s Visitor Center and Administrative Headquarters. Rehabilitation of the building was completed in 2023 as a partnership project between the National Park Service, Cane River Creole National Heritage Area, and City of Natchitoches. As such, Cane River Creole National Historical Park leases the building from the City of Natchitoches and reserves all rights related to building use and occupancy.
Request to Use the Depot
Recognizing the building’s historic importance within the community, Cane River Creole NHP provides opportunities for community groups and partners to utilize a portion of the building through a first come, first served basis. All requests to use the space must be made to the Park Superintendent via Special Use Permit.
Requests for special uses of the park require the submission of a completed application along with a non-refundable processing fee. In some cases, the processing fee may be waived for certain individuals/groups. Once received, processing of the permit application request will be reviewed as quickly as possible; however, please note that the park has 30 days to process requests.
Special Use Permit Application
What Space is Available for Community Use? What’s Included?
The following spaces are available in the Depot for community use:
• Smaller public waiting room (historically known as the colored waiting room) with adjacent men’s and women’s restrooms.
The large public waiting room (historically known as the white waiting room) and all areas within the park headquarters areas (conference room, kitchen) are NOT available for community use.
In addition to use of the space, the park also provides the following for events (if needed):
• 4 folding tables
• 24 folding chairs
• Access to large TV screen for presentations, displays, messaging, etc.
• Staff person to monitor the event (may require cost recovery)
The space is limited to groups of 20 or fewer people, though exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis. All permittees are responsible for cleaning up the Depot before the end of the permitted event. Decoration of the space must not alter the historic character of the building in anyway, including damage from nails, tacks, or tape. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Permittees are also required to follow other stipulations outlined in their approved permit.
Events hosted after hours will require park staff to monitor the event and may require cost recovery to pay for staff time. Park staff will arrange for doors to be unlocked for permitted events and relocked when events are over.
Questions and inquiries? Email us or call 318-352-0383, ext. 316.
