The Cane River region’s strategic location as the historic boundary between French Louisiana and Spanish Texas placed it in a pivotal spot for frontier trade and military activity. The national heritage area lies at the convergence of the French, Spanish, and American frontiers, and the military fort sites that remain tell stories of colonialism, frontier life, westward expansion, and military history. The national heritage area has the distinction of being one of the few sites in North America that can compare and contrast the differing frontier lifestyles of the French, Spanish, and Americans. The 200th anniversary of the historic Louisiana Purchase reminds us of the significance of this region, as well as the military fort sites it encompasses.