Caroline Dormon first suggested the idea of a State Arboretum.  Dormon worked as a forestry educator for the LA Dept of Conservation's Forestry Section in the1920's. She also wrote several books about native plants and was instrumental in having Kisatche National Forest established. She wanted to create a State Arboretum to educate all Louisianans about the importance of trees.  Mrs. A. G. "Sudie" Lawton, a good friend of Ms Dormon, became a State Park and Recreation Commission Board member in 1957.  J.D. "Prof" Lafleur, a retired principal from Ville Platte, made a presentation at a Commission meeting that year. LaFleur, a Rotarian, was elaborating on the beautiful centuries old trees in Chicot State Park.  His speech was so elegant that Sudie Lawton asked him to show her this place he described "it sounds like a perfect place for a State Arboretum".  After seeing Chicot State Park Lawton and Lafleur collaborated to create the first state supported Arboretum in the United States.  Ms. Dormon was a consultant and provided many of the original plantings for the arboretum. In a letter dated January 30, 1968 to Prof Lafleur, Dormom stated "I want you to come get a few things (plants) for the arboretum before spring gets here...they are most attractive but no nursery has them for sale". Their aim was to develop an area that would attract botanists, students, horticulturists, youth groups, and tourists from all over the world. Together they attracted many organizations from throughout the state to support and fund the establishment of the Arboretum.

          In May of 1961, the State Parks and Recreation Commission headed by chairman, W.A. Wilson, and the Louisiana State Parks Director, Leroy A Talley, ordered the creation of the Louisiana State Arboretum and set aside 301 acres in Chicot State Park for the project. J. Ellis Dupre, Mrs. Joel Guillory, and Anthony Abdalla donated additional land for the entrance gate.

          The Arboretum was officially dedicated in April of 1964 and serves as an area set aside for the growing and protection for all trees and shrubs native to Louisiana. In 1966 the Louisiana Legislature named the Caroline Dormon Lodge completed in 1965 in honor of the noted naturalist.  The lodge serves as a welcome center to visitors, a library, and office space.