For the past 80 years, the Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce has shaped Sabine Parish into a community with their promotion and development of local businesses.
When the Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce first opened its doors in May 1946, the world looked very different. World War II had just ended months earlier and soldiers were returning home. Small towns across the state were trying to figure out what comes next. In Many, a group of determined business leaders believed they knew the answer: Build something bigger.
The Chamber’s founding documents captured that spirit plainly by giving a mission statement of “promoting the economic, civic, commercial, industrial and agricultural welfare of the Parish of Sabine.” It was a mission rooted in optimism – a belief that a stronger parish could be built through cooperation, information sharing, and a commitment to high standards of business conduct.
A Parish Ready to Grow
Before the Chamber, growth was happening in scattered pockets – timber here, farming there and small shops were doing their best to keep up. The Chamber gave the residents a central hub where ideas could be coordinated. People who had never sat at the same table suddenly found themselves planning together.
The Chamber was officially domiciled in the town of Many, but its reach extended across the parish. Membership was open to all residents, businesses, corporations, and associations – a remarkably inclusive approach for the area.
The First Board: Nineteen Leaders,
One Vision
The Chamber’s first Board of Directors read like a who’s who of mid-century Sabine Parish: J.S. Pickett, C.E. Pattison, R.L. Lucius, V.L. Wright, O.B. Gregory, W.H. Pearson, L. Lefkovits, C.D. Hancock, A.A. DeWitt, W.M. Knott, J.J. Blake, A.D. Ross, P.A. Bloomer, R.L. Lowery, F.A. Keelen, J.E. Carmichael, D.M. Norris, T.W. Hardee Jr., and J.B. Vandegaer.
The Chamber’s first officers – President D.M. Norris, Vice President Thomas W. Hardee Jr., and Treasurer J.B. Vandegaer – set the tone early. Norris, remembered as a steady and practical leader, often emphasized the Chamber’s responsibility to the wider community. As one early document notes, the Chamber aimed “to do all other things proper within the scope of this association for the welfare of the community and members.”
“That line tells you everything about their mindset,” Carmichael says. “They saw themselves as caretakers of the parish’s future.”
A Legacy that Endures
Eighty years later, the Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce continues to reflect the values of its founders. It remains a gathering place for business owners, civic leaders, and residents who believe in the power of collaboration.
Current Chamber members often point to the organization’s longevity as proof of its importance. The Chamber has been here through booms, recessions, storms, and everything in between. It’s part of the fabric of Sabine Parish.
Looking Ahead While Honoring the Past
As the Chamber celebrates its 80th anniversary, the moment offers both reflection and renewal. The parish has grown, industries have shifted, and technology has transformed the way business is done.
In 1946, the Chamber’s leaders couldn’t have predicted the world of 2026. But they understood something timeless: A Parish thrives when its people work together. Eighty years later, that belief continues to guide Sabine Parish forward.
Today, the Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce continues to serve as a driving force for local business development, community engagement, and economic progress. Its 80-year legacy reflects decades of collaboration among residents, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders committed to strengthening the parish.