Rapides Parish, LA, History http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/5769/eakin2b.htm Louisiana State Seminary (First Board of Supervisors included Henery Avery.) Louisiana State University had its beginning in Rapides Parish. It is said that the initial meeting of interested men in establishing Louisiana State Seminary was at Tyrone Plantation on Bayou Rapides. Tyrone was the home of George Mason Graham who was named to the first Board of Supervisors. He was elected vice president of the board. The Legislature of 1847 authorized a search for the most favorable site. In 1852, a committee decided on the pine woods on the north side of Red River in Rapides Parish. In 1859, Colonel William T. Sherman, who had resigned from the army and tried other professions, was elected to head the seminary. A West Point graduate, he was employed at $3500.00 per year. The school opened January 2, 1860 with 35 or 36 cadets with an increase until 70 were enrolled that first session. The first Board of Supervisors were: President, Thomas Overton Moore, Governor of Louisiana; General George Mason Graham, Vice-President; Thomas Courtland Manning; Neal Davidson, Michael Ryan; Dr. S.A. Smith; J.A. Bynum; Ralph Smith Smith; S. W. Henarie; William L. Sanford; Colonel Walter O. Winn; G. Baillio; Patrick F. Keary; W.W. Whittington; Colonel Feneton Cannon; John H. Ransdell; Henery Avery; D.C. Goodwin, and William B.G. Egan. After Louisiana seceded from the Union in January, 1861, Sherman resigned and returned to the United States Army. Most of the students resigned to enter the Confederate Army. One joined the United State Navy. The Seminary reopened October 2, 1865, under Golonel David F. Boyd as superintendent. The college building was burned October 15, 1869 and it was reopened in Baton Rouge the next year.