A 1926 railway depot houses the Beauregard Museum. Together with historic commercial buildings, museums, art, and community parks, it offers various ways to tailor your stay in DeRidder to your own interests.
Railway History and Regional Collections
The Beauregard Museum is housed in DeRidder’s second Kansas City Southern depot, built in 1926. Its collection brings together different facets of Beauregard Parish history: exhibits include handmade tools, artifacts from the timber industry, and old photographs documenting the history of the parish. There are also arrowheads and pottery from Indigenous peoples, military memorabilia, antique furniture, musical instruments, and curiosities from Beauregard Parish. A wide variety of objects sit alongside the regional history exhibits.
A stainless-steel galley wagon is also on display in the courtyard of the Beauregard Museum. It adds a single distinctive object outside the museum building to the collection. Those interested in art rather than historical collections can explore cultural history from a different angle: the RealArt DeRidder Art Gallery opened in 2009 under the name RealArt Deridder Arts Cooperative, through a partnership between the city and local artists.
Historic Buildings and Remembrance
The DeRidder Commercial Historic District comprises the largest and most prominent collection of historic commercial buildings in Beauregard Parish. The Gothic Jail offers a different architectural feature: built in 1915, the building served as the parish jail until it closed in 1984. Its Collegiate Gothic style is reflected in pointed Tudor arches, dormer windows, and bay windows. The current tour schedule is also important when planning a visit: outside the Halloween season, public daytime tours are usually held Monday through Friday. Weekend tours are available by arrangement for groups of ten or more; availability may vary by season. Check tour dates before your visit.
The War Memorial Civic Center brings together architectural history and remembrance. It was built in 1941 as America’s first USO center outside a military base and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 25, 1992. The building houses the War Room Museum, with World War II artifacts, most of which were donated by Mrs. Velmer Smith. Alongside the architecture, a dedicated collection on the history of war is a focal point.
The Old Post Office explores two other cultural-history themes: the Lois Loftin Doll Museum displays more than 3,500 dolls there. The building is also home to the mural Rural Fresco Delivery, one of 17 rare WPA-era murals in Louisiana. The doll collection and mural offer distinct points of interest, so a visit is not limited to a single period or type of object.
Parks, Routes, and Seasonal Events
The parks and public open spaces maintained by the City of DeRidder are free to visit and use. Their amenities cater to different activities: West Park has a walking trail, while Veterans Park – Pernici Park offers a disc golf course. The Louisiana Myths and Legends Byway passes through DeRidder as a route stop, adding a connection to a regional themed route.
The Beauregard Watermelon Festival is a recurring event held every June at the Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds in DeRidder. The program includes watermelon-themed games, live music, and entertainment. If the festival is a key part of your travel plans, check the specific event dates. A vendor sells homemade goods at the DeRidder Farmer’s Market; no regular market schedule is implied.
Find Hotels Based on What You Want to See
Railway history and regional collections, historic architecture, art, parks, and a possible festival visit offer different options for planning your stay. If you plan to visit the Gothic Jail, factor the tour conditions into your schedule; the Watermelon Festival takes place annually in June. If you’re interested in several of these attractions, it helps to first decide which days you want to visit and what you want to see, then look for suitable hotels in DeRidder.
For the broader travel overview: Beauregard Parish.
