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==Background==

==Background==

DeBlieux (pronounced as the letter W) was the middle of three sons born to Jefferson Davis "Jeff" DeBlieux, Jr. (1904–1984), and the former Marie Dell Roubieu (1907-2002). Known as "Miss Pat," Mrs. DeBlieux was a devout [[Roman Catholic]] who attended mass daily and was like her middle son interested in historical preservation. Robert DeBlieux is named for his maternal grandfather. Mrs. DeBlieux's family came to Natchitoches in 1718, four years after the founding of the city. The ancestors of Jeff DeBlieux arrived in 1803, the year of the [[Louisiana Purchase]]. DeBlieux's older and younger brothers were Jefferson DeBlieux, III (1930–1998), an [[engineer]] from Houma in Terrebonne Parish in south Louisiana, and Victor Dale DeBlieux (1941–1993) of Natchitoches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://files.usgwarchives.org/la/natchitoches/obits/ntapr02.txt|title=Obituary of Marie Dell Roubieu DeBlieux|publisher=files.usgwarchives.org|accessdate=February 2, 2010; no longer on-line.}}</ref> DeBlieux was a [[cousin]] of the [[liberal]] former state Senator Joseph Davis DeBlieux (1912-2005), who represented East Baton Rouge Parish from 1956 to 1960 and again from 1964 to 1976. In 1966, J. D. DeBlieux failed in a campaign to unseat [[U.S. Senator]] [[Allen J. Ellender]].

DeBlieux (pronounced as the letter W) was the middle of three sons born to Jefferson Davis "Jeff" DeBlieux, Jr. (1904–1984), and the former Marie Dell Roubieu (1907-2002). Known as "Miss Pat," Mrs. DeBlieux was a devout [[Roman Catholic]] who attended mass daily and was like her middle son interested in historical preservation. Robert DeBlieux is named for his maternal grandfather. Mrs. DeBlieux's family came to Natchitoches in 1718, four years after the founding of the city. The ancestors of Jeff DeBlieux arrived in 1803, the year of the [[Louisiana Purchase]]. DeBlieux's older and younger brothers were Jefferson DeBlieux, III (1930–1998), an [[engineer]] from Houma in Terrebonne Parish in south Louisiana, and Victor Dale DeBlieux (1941–1993) of Natchitoches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://files.usgwarchives.org/la/natchitoches/obits/ntapr02.txt|title=Obituary of Marie Dell Roubieu DeBlieux|publisher=files.usgwarchives.org|accessdate=February 2, 2010; no longer on-line.}}</ref> DeBlieux was a [[cousin]] of the [[liberal]] former state Senator Joseph Davis DeBlieux (1912-2005), who represented East Baton Rouge Parish from 1956 to 1960 and again from 1964 to 1976. In 1966, J. D. DeBlieux failed in a campaign to unseat [[U.S. Senator]] [[Allen J. Ellender]].

 

In 1956, DeBlieux received his bachelor's degree in fine arts and [[history]] from [[Northwestern State University]] (then Northwestern State College) in Natchitoches. He served in the [[United States Army]] from 1956 to 1958, having been stationed in the former West [[Germany]].<ref name=obit/>{{Dead link|date=September 2010}} In 1960, he earned his [[Master of Science]] degree in counseling and [[psychology]] from [[Louisiana State University]] in [[Baton Rouge]], at which he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. In the early 1960s, DeBlieux was employed by the correctional office of the [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches Parish]] Juvenile Court. From 1965 to 1976, he was self-employed in the retail hardware business. In 1976, he was elected mayor to succeed [[W. Ray Scott]], who had served for the preceding sixteen years.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.nsula.edu/watson_library/cghrc_core/deblieux_r.htm|title=Robert DeBlieux|publisher=[[Northwestern State University|accessdate=September 25, 2019}}</ref>​

In 1956, DeBlieux received his bachelor's degree in fine arts and [[history]] from [[Northwestern State University]] (then Northwestern State College) in Natchitoches. He served in the [[United States Army]] from 1956 to 1958, having been stationed in the former West [[Germany]].<ref name=obit/>{{Dead link|date=September 2010}} In 1960, he earned his [[Master of Science]] degree in counseling and [[psychology]] from [[Louisiana State University]] in [[Baton Rouge]], at which he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. In the early 1960s, DeBlieux was employed by the correctional office of the [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches Parish]] Juvenile Court. From 1965 to 1976, he was self-employed in the retail hardware business. In 1976, he was elected mayor to succeed [[W. Ray Scott]], who had served for the preceding sixteen years.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.nsula.edu/watson_library/cghrc_core/deblieux_r.htm|title=Robert DeBlieux|publisher=[[Northwestern State University|accessdate=September 25, 2019}}</ref>​

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As mayor, DeBlieux was instrumental in the founding of the Natchitoches Historic District, which includes the mammoth Cane River Creole National Historical Park.<ref>[http://www.isleofcanes.com/isle_of_canes_resources.htm Isle of Canes<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Within the district are seven National Historic Landmarks, three State Historic Sites, and historic plantations, homes, and churches. Most of the 116,000 acres is privately owned, but many sites are open to the public. The district extends thirty-five miles and covers both banks of the Cane River, once the principal tributary of the Red River.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caneriverheritage.org/main_file.php/index.php home|title=Cane River Heritage Area|publisher=caneriverheritage.org|accessdate=February 2, 2010}}</ref> DeBlieux filed the application for federal landmark designation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanprofile.com/spotlights/article/2955.html|title=Home of the Steel Magnolias|publisher=americanprofile.com|accessdate=February 2, 2010}}</ref> The Natchitoches District and French Quarter or Vieux Carre in [[New Orleans]] are the only such historic districts in Louisiana. The area had deteriorated prior to the historical designation, and over several years downtown Natchitoches was revitalized.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060419/COMMUNITIES/50301008/1081|author=Robin Miller|title=Natchitoches' historic downtown is a jewel along Cane River Lake|date=April 19, 2006|publisher=''Alexandria Daily Town Talk''|accessdate=February 2, 2010}}</ref>​

As mayor, DeBlieux was instrumental in the founding of the Natchitoches Historic District, which includes the mammoth Cane River Creole National Historical Park.<ref>[http://www.isleofcanes.com/isle_of_canes_resources.htm Isle of Canes<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Within the district are seven National Historic Landmarks, three State Historic Sites, and historic plantations, homes, and churches. Most of the 116,000 acres is privately owned, but many sites are open to the public. The district extends thirty-five miles and covers both banks of the Cane River, once the principal tributary of the Red River.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caneriverheritage.org/main_file.php/index.php home|title=Cane River Heritage Area|publisher=caneriverheritage.org|accessdate=February 2, 2010}}</ref> DeBlieux filed the application for federal landmark designation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanprofile.com/spotlights/article/2955.html|title=Home of the Steel Magnolias|publisher=americanprofile.com|accessdate=February 2, 2010}}</ref> The Natchitoches District and French Quarter or Vieux Carre in [[New Orleans]] are the only such historic districts in Louisiana. The area had deteriorated prior to the historical designation, and over several years downtown Natchitoches was revitalized.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060419/COMMUNITIES/50301008/1081|author=Robin Miller|title=Natchitoches' historic downtown is a jewel along Cane River Lake|date=April 19, 2006|publisher=''Alexandria Daily Town Talk''|accessdate=February 2, 2010}}</ref>​

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==State preservation officer==

==State preservation officer==

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