DeRidder, Louisiana was named after the sister-in-law of a Dutch railroad financier. Her name was Ella de Ridder. Her family immigrated from the small town of Geldermalsen in the Netherlands.
Serenity Park and Serenity Park, Too were envisioned as community gathering spots and, also, a potential location for cultural events. It was recently restore in 2015.
Like many old towns, the business district of DeRidder is centered on train tracks. The primary industry for the town was timber. Beauregard Museum is housed in the old railroad depot that was erected in 1897.