Allen Parish was created on June 12, 1912, from the large Calcasieu Parish. Allen Parish was named in honor of Henry Watkins Allen, the Confederate General and Governor of Louisiana.

On September 27, 2008, the Allen Parish Tourist Commission opened the Leatherwood Museum in Oakdale in a two-story house which served during the early 20th century as a hospital. The museum focuses on agriculture and timber history, early medical and dental equipment as well as area sports figures.

The town of Oberlin is the parish seat. Oberlin is named in honor of Johann Friedrich Oberlin, an Alsatian pastor and philanthropist in the German speaking region of France. The largest city in the parish is Oakdale, which was founded as "Dunnsville" by William T. Dunn.

The parish has a total area of 766 square miles of which 764 square miles is land and 2 square miles (0.15%) is water. The population recorded in the 1920 Federal Census was 18,382. The 2010 census recorded 25,764 residents in the parish.

Allen Parish is borderd by Vernon Parish (northwest), Rapides Parish (northeast), Evangeline Parish (east), Jefferson Davis Parish (south), Beauregard Parish (west).

Allen Parish Communities include Elizabeth, Kinder, Oakdale, Oberlin, and Reeves.

Birth Records - The Louisiana State office maintains records for 100 years after the date of birth. Birth records are considered confidential for the first 100 years. For current information on who may obtain a birth record as well as how to submit a request visit the Office of Public Health, Vital Records Registry website or write to them at PO Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160.

Birth records older than 100 years are available through the Louisiana State Archives, 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. (225) 922-1000.

Death Records - The Louisiana State office maintains records for 100 years after the date of death. Death records are considered confidential for the first 100 years. For current information on who may obtain a death record as well as how to submit a request visit the Office of Public Health, Vital Records Registry website or write to them at PO Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160.

Death records older than 100 years are available through the Louisiana State Archives, 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. (225) 922-1000.

Marriage Records - There are many thousands of Allen Parish, Louisiana marriages here on our website. For current information on how to submit a request for a certified copy of an Orleans Parish marriage record less than 50 years old, see the Louisiana Office of Public Health Director, Vital Records and Statistics website or write to PO Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160.

Certified copies for the parish are issued by Clerk of Court. For the address of the parish Clerk of Court visit the Allen Parish Important Addresses page.

Marriage records over 50 years are stored by the Louisiana State Archives, 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. (225) 922-1000.

Divorce Records - To obtain current information on how to submit a request for a certified copy of divorce records contact the Clerk of Court. For the address of the parish Clerk of Court visit the Allen Parish Important Addresses page.