Louisiana State Route 15

State Route 15 marker

State Route 15
Route information
Length: 110.42 mi (177.70 km)
Existed: 1924 – 1955
Major junctions
South end: US 84 / US 65 / SR 6 in Ferriday
  US 65 / SR 3 in Clayton
SR 18 in Sicily Island
SR 16 / SR 17 in Winnsboro
US 80 / US 165 / SR 4 in Monroe
North end: SR 11 in Farmerville
Highway system
  • Louisiana Highway System

Louisiana State Route 15 (LA 15) was a state highway in Louisiana. It spanned 110.42 miles (177.70 km), serving northeastern Louisiana, providing direct access from US 84 and Baton Rouge, to Farmerville. It was one of the few state highways that kept its number during the 1955 Louisiana Highway renumbering.

Route description

"Beginning at Farmersville, through Monroe, Rhymes Store, Alta, R.S. Baughton's Store, Mangham, Winnsboro, Sicily Island, Clayton, to a point on Route 3." - 1924 Louisiana Legislative Route Description

LA 15 began at an intersection with US 84/SR 6 in the town of Ferriday. LA 15 then trudged north, paralleling the Missouri Pacific Railroad for the journey towards Monroe. After a few miles, US 65/LA 3 split to the north at Clayton. LA 15 then crossed into Catahoula Parish, meeting LA 18 in Sicily Island, crossing into Franklin Parish thereafter.

In Franklin Parish, LA 15 met LA 84 in Gilbert and LA 16/LA 17 in Winnsboro. Crossing into Richland Parish, LA 15 turned to the northwest at Mangham, while LA 47 turned to the north en route to Rayville. LA 15 was soon changed to turn east at Archibald when a realignment took place; formerly, LA 15 turned through Mangham to meet LA 64 at Baughton's Store, but when the store was shuttered, the alignment was able to take place. LA 15 crossed the Boeuf River on a ferry until 1939, when the truss bridge over the river was built (see photo below).

In Ouachita Parish, LA 15 met US 165/LA 14 in Monroe, before becoming paired with US 80/LA 4. LA 15 was spun off on what is now Old Highway 15 west of West Monroe, continuing north along the current LA 15 alignment until ending at the northern terminus with LA 11 south of Farmerville.

For the most part, the pre-1955 LA 15 was numbered Louisiana Highway 15. The only exceptions are bypassed routes like Old Highway 15, Louisiana Highway 3210, and various country roads.

Gallery

Bridge over the Boeuf River on LA 15
Ouachita/Richland Parish Line over Bayou Lafourche
Historical marker for General Claire Chennault in Gibson

References