A Piece of Louisiana History

Indian Site, Army Base, Recreation, Retreat

Located on a serene, one-hundred-year-old riverfront venue, The Rivers Retreat Center is one of the most unique and beautiful settings in all of Louisiana.

Over a century ago the Tchefuncte Indians lived simple lives in this part of Louisiana.  In their cypress canoes, they traveled along the Tchefuncte River, whose banks form one of the borders of The Rivers Retreat Center, trading with settlers.  Using the natural clay which still lines the river, the Tchefuncte were the first Native Americans to make clay pottery.

In approximately 1908 the U.S. Army built a  base camp at this location. Then in 1924 the Army turned the base over to the Salvation Army and a camp was established, later named Camp Catawba, which was used as a recreation center for underprivileged children.

In 2002 the  property was purchased bringing extensive renovation and modernization to what is now "The Rivers Retreat." Available for special events, and a stroll through the woods along the banks of that very river once inhabited by the Tchefuncte Indians, providing the same peaceful, serene environment in a unique Louisiana setting.