Historical Background of Chambers of Commerce

As long as commerce has existed, traders have banded together. The first purpose of their associations was that of seeking common protection against enemies and marauding bands of robbers. Later, they established codes to govern the conduct of trade, and still later, they attempted to exert influence on legislation. These early associations of traders have little in common with the modern Chamber of Commerce , which is, in fact, a twentieth century product.

The first known use of the term "Chamber of Commerce" occurred in Marseilles, France. This Chamber was established by the City Council towards the close of the seventeenth century. The first Chamber of Commerce in the United States was organized in New York in 1786. Six years later, a Chamber of Commerce was formed in Charleston, South Carolina, and from there in Boston and other cities. From 1890 the growth of the Chamber movement in the United States was rapid. Today there are over 5,000 such organizations in the country. Chambers of Commerce today have only faint resemblance of the old "board of trade" and "booster club" of a half century or more ago. Changes are more than one of refinement; the basic philosophy of Chamber operation has changed.

In recent years, Chambers of Commerce have become more involved in city development, urban renewal, and planning, with some of the larger Chambers adding specialists to their staff.

The Sabine Pariah Chamber of Commerce was organized in 1947 with the original charter stating it's purposes "to promote the commerce, trade, business opportunity, culture and industry of the area through the concerted efforts of business and professional interest of Sabine Parish."