Village of Estherwood

   Like other towns created by the coming of the train, Estherwood was named by, and probably for a railroad official or member of his family. One opinion of how Estherwood's name came about is a combination of two names, the result of a compromise made to end a controversy over whether to name the place Wood, for a Dr. Wood, or Esther, for the wife of the section foreman of the railroad. Another version explains the "wood" part as follows: the station was a re-fueling point for the early wood-burning engines, and the name was derived from the large quantities of wood which were stored near the station. Before the railroad came through the place was known as Coulee Trieve, so named for an early settler, Jean Baptiste Trieve who had built a cabin on the coulee about 1816.

   A mysterious and sinister figure, Trieve was believed to have been a pirate. One of the early civic leaders of Estherwood was Jacob Kollitz, who established a place of business near the site of the old pirate's cabin in 1891. When the Village was incorporated in 1901, Kollitz was one of the alderman. The village had a population of 300. The Kollitz home is still in existence, and is presently owned by the estate of Ms. Marilyn LeLeux. Another Estherwood landmark is the Hoyt home, which was built in 1899 by Edward T. Hoyt, better known as "Jasmine Lawn".  Although this home has had several owners since the Hoyt's, it is now in the ownership of Edward & Paula Gonzalez.

   Estherwood also has one house that is listed on the Historic Registry, "Estherwood Manor."  It is a beautiful two-story residence situated on N. Leblanc Street and is presently owned by Steven O. & Lana Smith. This small community has had its share of contributions in keeping up with the times. Estherwood is known for being large enough to provide for our families the necessary education, but small enough to look out for our fellow neighbors.