Claiborne Parish was created from Natchitoches Parish by Act No. 42 of the Louisiana General Assembly approved March 13, 1828, and named in honor of the first American governor of Louisiana, William Charles Cole Claiborne.

Known as the "Banner Parish" of North Louisiana, the original Claiborne Parish extended for approximately 64 miles east of the Red River along the northern border of Louisiana and extended south a distance of approximately 60 miles. From the original parish, the following parishes were formed entirely or in part: Bossier, Jackson, Bienville, Red River, Webster, Lincoln and Claiborne Parishes. The region was originally filled with a host of wild game, including buffalo, deer, and turkey. The tradition of hunting wild game continues to be a favorite sport of many local citizens.

After the parish's first cotton gin was erected in 1824, cotton became the leading agricultural crop, and home to the state's first cotton factory. As recently as 1930 Claiborne Parish had more than 105,000 acres of cotton, which was the largest acreage of any parish in Louisiana. No cotton is grown in the parish at the present time, nor is any likely to be grown in the foreseeable future.

Around 1920, oil was discovered near both Homer and Haynesville with the latter town becoming a boomtown hosting a population of approximately 20,000 persons, which is more than the population of the entire parish today.

The parish seats have been located in Russellville (1828-1836), Overton (1836-1846, in present day Webster Parish), Athens (1846-1849), now known as Old Athens), and Homer (1849-present). The courthouse at Old Athens along with all parish records were destroyed by fire on November 6, 1849.

Homer, the present day parish seat, was named for the Greek poet by the same name. The town was "laid out on a gentle rolling hill in the forest" around a courthouse square in 1850. The courthouse was built in the Greek Revival style of architecture and is one of only four pre-civil war courthouses still in use in Louisiana today. The building, completed in 1860, cost $12,304.36. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Anglo-Saxon and African influence, rather than the French who settled the southern part of Louisiana sets the trends in culture, architecture, and traditions. Citizens of Claiborne Parish can take pride in the fact that the stewardship of our cultural traditions is stronger here than in most rural communities within commuting distances of cities and universities.

The parish has a total area of 768 square miles, of which 755 square miles is land and 13 square mile (1.63%) is water. The population recorded in the 1900 Federal Census was 23,029. The 2010 census recorded 17,195 residents in the Parish.

Neigboring parishes and counties are Columbia County, AR (northwest), Union County, AR (northeast), Union Parish (east), Lincoln Parish (southeast), Bienville Parish (south), and Webster Parish (west). Communities in the parish include Haynesville, Homer, Athens, Lisbon, Junction City, Summerfield, Lake Claiborne, Arizona (historical), and Russellville (historical).

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 thousands of Claiborne 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 Claiborne 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 Claiborne Parish Important Addresses page.