Allen Parish is named for Henry Watkins Allen, who was the Confederate governor of Louisiana.
Created: June 12, 1912
Parish Seat:
Oberlin 1912 – present
Parish Courthouse – Oberlin
Location: 400 West 6th Avenue / North 5th Street
Built: 1914 – 1915
Style: Classical Revival
Architect: Favrot & Livaudais
Contractor: L R Wright and Company
Description: The building faces east and is a two story gray colored stone, buff colored brick and concrete structure..The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Oberlin. The building is set on an English basement. The first story plan consists of a pair of wide axial corridors with an imperial marble and steel staircase set at each end of the building. The structure is designed as a main block with a pair of two story side wings. On the east front, the center section extends from the main building. Above the first story entrance is a small balcony with eight columns on the second story with arched windows between. There is a balustrade with crest along the roof line. The courtroom occupies the main block on the second story and is lit by three massive lunette windows front and rear.
Note: The courthouse is the first and only courthouse built in the parish.
Courthouses:
N – Vernon Parish and Rapides Parish
Parish Courthouse – Oberlin
Photos taken 2011 and 2017