Town History
Oberlin, Louisiana is the parish seat of Allen Parish. Named after Johan Friedrich Oberlin, the town is the oldest in the parish and was incorporated on February 5, 1900. While still a part of Imperial Calcasieu Parish, Oberlin started as a community called Oaklin Springs about 2 miles west of Oberlin. Most settlers moved east of Oaklin Springs because of the rumor that a railroad line was coming through; hence the birth of Oberlin.
