Bayou Chicot is the oldest English speaking settlement west of the Mississippi River. No one knows the date that the first settler came here, but records of land sales date back to 1783 which proves that people were living here much longer than that. Many believe that there was a Bayou Chicot before there was a United States although there are no records to that effect.
To a stranger Bayou Chicot looks like a wilderness area of hardwood and pine forests, and few would believe that this was once a thriving community with many find old homes. It is sad to say but all have been destroyed. Many well-to-do people owned plantations on Bayou Bouef but built summer homes in this community near springs where there was good water and soil, and a more healthful place to live. Most spent their summers here raising vegetables to can or dry for winter use.
Bayou Chicot is now a small community boasting a consolidated school and large general store as well as two restaurants.