Explore No Man's Land, Louisiana: Rich History & Outdoor Adventures
Find interesting history and natural adventures in Louisiana's Wild West.
What is No Man's Land?
Before the West was wild, Louisiana had its own untamed territory. Known as No Man’s Land or the Neutral Strip, this stretch between Spanish Texas and the U.S. was a lawless buffer zone from 1806 to 1821 — no country claimed it, and no rules governed it. Outlaws, dreamers and idealists called it home.
From rugged hills to the remnants of the New Llano Socialist Colony, this forgotten corner of western Louisiana invites you to walk where rebels and visionaries once stood.
The Creation of the Neutral Strip
In an 1806 diplomatic effort to avoid war, regional American and Spanish military commanders signed a treaty creating a neutral strip of land between the rivers — a territory under neither the American nor Spanish flag — until a formal boundary could be set by respective governments. While the U.S. claimed Louisiana’s edge was the Sabine River, Spain — which held the land directly west of Louisiana in present-day Texas — claimed the border was instead the Arroyo Hondo, a river ranging some 25 to 50 miles east of the Sabine (that’s known today as the Calcasieu River). The international border dispute would not be settled until 1821, nine years after Louisiana became a state, and debate over the border still ensued within the U.S. for two decades until the creation of the Republic of Texas and just prior to its U.S. statehood in 1848.
The New Llano Socialist Colony
After the first socialist colony in California dissolved, the Llano Society moved to Louisiana. Colonists were given a wage, food and a role. The colony flourished for two decades until the founder Job Harriman’s death in 1937. The colony was sold off, but the town of New Llano stands today as a reminder of the trailblazers who settled there.
Fun Fact: At the neutral strip’s northernmost point in Logansport, there is a granite pole at a park outside town. The Logansport marker is said to be the only international boundary marker found in the continental U.S.
Explore DeRidder's Gothic Jail.
Fish in Beauregard Parish's beautiful waters.
Camp in the lush forests of North Toledo Bend State Park.
Kayak, canoe or paddle at North Toledo Bend State Park.
Top Outdoor Activities in No Man's Land
Three of Louisiana's state historic sites along the Louisiana Hwy. 6 corridor in Natchitoches and Sabine parishes have stories tied to the neutral strip. Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site in Natchitoches was the French colonial outpost in the region; Los Adaes State Historic Site, near Robeline, is the archaeological remains of the region’s Spanish colonial fort; and Fort Jesup State Historic Site, near Many, was the base for the U.S. police presence in the strip.
In addition, two of Louisiana's state parks call the region home. Both North Toledo Bend and South Toledo Bend state parks lie on Toledo Bend Reservoir between Louisiana and Texas. The massive lake created by damming Sabine River offers some of the best freshwater fishing in the South.
Kisatchie National Forest districts in Natchitoches and Vernon parishes offer outdoor activities including camping, hiking, cycling, horseback riding.
Local Eateries in No Man's Land
Once you've gotten your outdoor fix, grab a bit at one of the Gas Station Eats of No Man's Land, where hospitality, scenic landscapes and southern staples are in store.
Top Attractions in No Man's Land
The former Gothic Jail in DeRidder is a must-stop photo op for architecture enthusiasts. The 1914 facility is said to have made history at its time for its unique Gothic Revival design, large spiral staircase and uncommon amenities within cells.
Looking for more outdoor adventure nearby? Explore the Myths and Legends Byway, where stops off the highway paint a picture of life in No Man’s Land.
