NO MAN’S LAND | Louisiana Public Broadcasting

It’s a story of outlaws, bandits, pirates, and brave pioneers and it all happened right here in Louisiana in a place that was fittingly known as No Man’s Land. Slow to be settled, and marked by a pivotal moment in history, the Neutral Strip (as it was sometimes called) was used as an official buffer between Louisiana and Spanish Texas for years. The film explores the western part of the state as a separate folk region made up of groups - like Native Americans, remnants of early Spanish colonies, Scots-Irish pioneers, African Americans, and others - who, to this day, fiercely hold on to their multi-generational traditions and notions of identity. Emmy Award-winning filmmakers Bill Rodman and Flo Ulmer-Rodman explore how No Man’s Land is best understood as a bastion for those cultural groups who wished to preserve the unique way of life they cherished.

[tbcottonhead]

I swell up with pride to see Ft Jessup in this Documentary! My family left Sabine Parish for better jobs shortly before I was born, but every summer as we'd turn off the highway and drive past the old Fort, I'd feel my roots stretching out, trying to dig in to the soil of "home".

[rachelshermer]

I bought 15 acres of NOMANS LAND on the Sabine border. We have found Lot's of Artifact's out there.

[platypuspurple]

The fundraising sections were longer than the documentary itself. Just saying. :-(

[tlandry]

I never knew this. I’ve always questioned what was the western border of the Louisiana purchase here in Louisiana and this answered it for me with an explanation of why it was.

[toriflynn]

Great story - being from Fort Jesup, it was nice to see and hear more about our great area. My daughter also liked helping out :) Great story, wish there would have been less interruptions but I understand why they were needed.

[markwolfcopeland]

Don Antonio Gil Y’Barbo was my fifth great grandfather. I never knew growing up that we had such a rich family history.

[joeydyson]

So was this a fundraiser or an documentary?

[tomwilliams]

Thomas J. Bilbo purchased Fort Atkinson from the US Army when it was abandoned in 1832 and turned it into a family home. After his defeat at the battle of San Jacinto, General Santa Anna spent the night there being escorted by Texans to New Orleans and eventually further east. The cypress log structure was destroyed by hurricane in 1918.

[GramblingLouisianimal]

Natchitoches is not southwest Louisiana it’s northwest please explain because being a north Louisiana native they give all the attention to the south

[mhotrodscooter]

They forgot to mention at this time it was Nova Scotia Canadian French was also in this area.

[melaniecason]

I knew nothing of this! Thank you so much!

[LesColeman]

i was surprised not to hear anything about my people, Melugeons, in this episode of No Man's Land.

[davidmills]

I know this area well. The Mermentau and Ouischacitta Rivers form the eastern portion to the east and south east dierection, Merryville, La. on north to De Ridder, La. then Leesville along the Sabine River which forms the "spine" of the Neutral Strip.
There are countless regions that regard their place on Earth as special!! This sense of pride towards the irregularness of the Neutral Strip is justified. the Neutral Strip actually extends into the Big Thicket area of southeast Texas on the western bank of the Sabine River. Be aware that it is the Sabine River that truly affixes the Neutral Strip. and all the little settlements and small towns that are sprinkled throughout this vast conifer forest. most people on into my generation (baby boomer) and in this part of the Gulf Coast region know well of this malevolent and rough characteristic of the Neutral Strip. If you are a cousin or and uncle or such you will be hidden from prosecution from the law here as the legal authorities have routinely been in effective for a number of easily imagined reasons. Peace and Love David "la gran coullion" Mills

[carywest]

Reverend Joseph Willis is my 4th great grandfather through my dad's side. Sarah Willis, his youngest daughter married my 3rd. Great Grampa Nathaniel West.
All four direct ancestors are in the same cemetery in The Neutral Ground. It's where modern day Allen, Rapides and Vernon Parishes all meet.

[francessykes]

I do not understand the begging for money when there are paid advertisements during the program. Youtubers now days make videos just as informative and well put together with minimal equipment and no paid advertisements. It took away from the show for me to have the begging going on in between.

[montneymont-knee]

how do you buy something from someone that doesn't own it

[aaronnaquin]

I’d like to know if there where any Louisiana gunslingers billy the kid are famous lawmen like Earp brothers are anything like that

[SquareAmps]

This was ok but I thought they were going to dive wayyyy deeper into things.

[Rainyvrgt]

GLEMORA / OAKDALE / / MANY / COUSHATTA / IS WHERE THEY ALL EVENTUALLY SETTLED.

[bayouboyz]

Watch me in no man's land coonass catching alligator by hand