Our History: The Lifeblood of Kinder’s Agriculture

The story of the Kinder Canal Company is deeply intertwined with the rich agricultural heritage of Southwest Louisiana. For over a century, this family-owned and operated company has supplied the essential surface water that transforms local fields into some of the most productive rice, crawfish, and waterfowl habitats in the region.

The company's origins began under a different name: the Calcasieu River Irrigation Co. Originally backed by investors from Marble Rock, Iowa, the corporation recorded its very first land transaction in Kinder, Louisiana, on August 31, 1894. By 1903, the company officially moved its domicile to Louisiana under the leadership of the Moore family, operating a foundational system of canals, levees, and early pumping plants.

Following a period of economic transition, the infrastructure was purchased at a sheriff's sale in October 1909 by Calcasieu National Bank. The bank subsequently sold the assets to a newly organized corporation—marking the official birth of the Kinder Canal Company.

The Unkel family legacy began immediately in 1909 when Winn Unkel moved to Kinder to manage the newly minted canal system. Along with his brother, Hine Unkel, the family navigated the grueling demands of keeping the pumps running and the water flowing around the clock.

For decades, the canal was more than just an agricultural tool; it served as a cornerstone of the community. In the mid-20th century, the main pump line—with its clean Calcasieu River water and sandy bottom—served as Kinder's primary recreational destination, where generations of locals fondly remember going "swimming at the pump."

Winn Unkel served as president of the company until his death in 1963, followed briefly by his brother Hine, and later by Hine's widow, Eulalie T. Unkel, who guided the company through decades of modernization.

The mid-1960s brought significant growth:

• 1966: The Henry Unkel family successfully acquired all outstanding stock, consolidating the company into the 100% family-held enterprise it remains today.
• 1966: The company moved its official domicile to Allen Parish and diversified its operations by building the Kinder Bean Elevator.

By the 1980s, a new generation of the family had stepped up, with Eulalie T. Unkel serving as president and Michael T. Unkel taking the reins as treasurer and manager to lead the company into the modern era.

Today, Kinder Canal Company operates as a third-generation family-owned and operated company. What began over 115 years ago has evolved into a sophisticated, 10-mile surface water irrigation system.

The third generation actively runs the company today. While the underlying technology has updated over the years, the core mission remains exactly the same: providing sustainable, reliable surface water to support local farmers in cultivating the "Louisiana Trinity" of rice, crawfish, and premier waterfowl hunting habitats. The company continues to honor its legacy by sustaining the land, the wildlife, and the families of Kinder for generations to come.