Jonesville Between Rivers, Nature, and History

Jonesville is a destination for anyone who wants to combine river landscapes with cultural history. At Jonesville, the Ouachita River joins the Tensas River and the Little River to form the Black River. The area also features historic earthworks, Greek Revival-style houses, and natural areas offering opportunities for wildlife viewing, photography, hunting, and fishing. Those looking for a vacation rental or other accommodation in Jonesville can therefore choose their focus among water, archaeology, architecture, and nature.

Rivers, Boating Experiences, and Nature

The Jonesville Landing recreation area is a short boat ride from the confluence of the four navigable rivers—the Ouachita, Black, Tensas, and Little. Another point of reference is the Jonesville Lock and Dam Recreation Area: In the Jonesville area, it offers eight picnic sites and a boat launch. The area is located 12 miles south of Jonesville on Highway 124 near Glade. This information is helpful for planning a day focused on river landscapes and boat excursions.

The Dewey W. Wills Wildlife Management Area also appeals to travelers interested in water and nature. It has five paved concrete boat ramps and four basic campsites. The Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1958 as a wintering area for migratory waterfowl. Activities listed there also include hunting, wildlife photography, wildlife viewing, and fishing. This makes it possible to combine a stay in Jonesville with a variety of interests in nature without planning every outing in the same way.

Archaeology and Architectural History

The Troyville Earthworks are among the defining historic traces in Jonesville. The site was built between 100 BC and AD 700; the original complex consisted of an earthen embankment and nine burial mounds. Today, only parts of the burial mounds and embankment remain. Important information for visitors: The archaeological site is on private property and should be viewed from the public roadside. The marker for the Troyville Earthworks is on Willow Street near Third Street, on the right-hand side when traveling south.

Tew Lake and Routon offer further insights into the region’s history. Tew Lake comprises three dome-shaped burial mounds on Wallace Ridge near a former channel of the Ouachita River. They date to around 3000 BC and are attributed to the Archaic period. Routon is the largest Coles Creek burial mound group on Mounds Trail and is exceptionally well preserved.

The architecture also has its own distinctive character. Moss Grove Plantation House is a one-and-a-half-story wood-frame house built around 1870. It is located a few miles south of Jonesville in a rural setting on the Black River. Its design is predominantly Greek Revival and includes two Italianate mantelpieces. The Kirby House in the village of Trinity on the outskirts of Jonesville is a late Neoclassical, one-and-a-half-story Greek Revival frame house. Because of its design, it is considered an architectural landmark of the wider Jonesville-Trinity area.

Which Accommodation Base Suits Your Plans?

When looking for a vacation rental in Jonesville, it is worth sorting out your preferred experiences in advance. Those who prefer rivers, boat ramps, and picnic sites can include Jonesville Landing, the Lock and Dam Recreation Area, and the Dewey W. Wills Wildlife Management Area in their travel plans. Those with a stronger interest in archaeology should follow the viewing guidelines for the Troyville Earthworks and plan to see the surviving structures and the marker’s location. For architecture enthusiasts, Moss Grove Plantation House and Kirby House add to the area’s historic profile.

As another point of reference, the Jonesville Municipal Airport is located in Jonesville at 503 Airport Road, Jonesville, LA 71343.

For the broader travel overview: Concordia Parish.