It proved to be an impressive election day for several candidates who registered lopsided victories during a parishwide election held Saturday in St. Landry Parish.
Author: Carola Hartley
The First Woman US Cheerleader’s Opelousas Connection
As I like to say, Opelousas is a small town with a big story to tell. And there are many chapters to that big story. One chapter that most have probably never heard is the one about the first woman cheerleader in the US and her connection to Opelousas.
Opelousas Is Ready For A Home Game
The six-week road trip is over, the team bus is in the garage and Opelousas High is ready to begin a district title defense with a Homecoming game at Donald Gardner Stadium.
The Fountains on the Square — And More
Did you know at one time the St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square in the heart of Opelousas had two beautiful fountains? What happened during the construction of those fountains shocked the whole town. Here is what I learned about those fountains, plus the rest of that story.
Funeral Set For Former McNeese Coach, BroadcasterÂ
Longtime McNeese Cowboy coach and radio broadcaster, Johnny Suydam, passed away on Sunday night in a local care facility. He was 80-years-old.Â
The Monuments on Our Courthouse Square
In 1920, a monument was erected by the citizens of St. Landry Parish in honor of the boys who served in the great war, World War I. It was placed on the St. Landry Parish courthouse square, on the southeast corner of the square facing Court Street. The monument was scheduled to be dedicated on July 4, 1920. (See the rest of the story.)
Opinion: Building Partnerships Will Helps in Revitalizing Downtown
Several years ago, I wrote articles for the National Main Street Center’s Main Street Now! magazine. One of those articles was about the importance of building partnerships while working on downtown revitalization. Here is part of that article that I think would benefit those who are working for downtown revitalization in Opelousas and area communities.
St. Landry Parish Courthouse – Courthouse Bell – Courthouse Art
Opelousas is a small town with a BIG story to tell! And there are many chapters to that story. One chapter is focused on Opelousas as the seat of Imperial St. Landry Parish, with many stories centered around the parish courthouse. Three of those stories are about the courthouse, the courthouse bell and the courthouse artwork. The following is just a fragment of what is known.
Memorial Mass Set for September 7th to Celebrate the Life of Servant of God Lt. Father Joseph Verbis Lafleur
A memorial Mass marking the anniversary of the death of Father Joseph Verbis Lafleur is scheduled for Thursday, September 7, 2023, at 6:30pm at the St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas.
School Board Considers Sale, Purchase of Properties
The St. Landry Parish School District is prepared to purchase a state-owned campus in Opelousas, while school board members are contemplating the sale of property in the northern portion of the parish.
The Opelousas Hotel – G. Miller, Proprietor
Over the years of its existence, Opelousas had several different hotels, some better known than others. Like for instance people today still hear talk about the Lacombe Hotel, the James Hotel, the Waldorf Hotel and the INN. Recently while going through some historic invoices in my Opelousas collection, I can across this old letterhead from one called the Opelousas Hotel that operated in downtown Opelousas for a short time at the end of the 1880s.
Historic Preservation is Important to our City
Where can you find the Michel Prudhomme Home? Where can you find St. Landry Catholic Church? Where can you find Holy Ghost Catholic Church? Where can you find the Old City Hall Building? Where can you find the Venus House? Where can you find the Weir Building? Where can you find Le Vieux Village de Poste des Opelousas? Where can you find the Louisiana Orphan Train Museum, the Opelousas Museum, or the Creole Heritage Folklife Center? Where can you search archives that documents over 200 years of St. Landry Parish history? Click for the answer.
Rev. Carmen George Chachere – Opelousas’ First African American Catholic Priest
Today’s Photo from the Past is this one of Rev. Carmen George Chachere (1909-1939), the first African American Catholic Priest from Opelousas.
First Opelousas Catholic Priest – Rev. Charles Beauchamp Anderson
Opelousas, one of the oldest Louisiana’s towns, has so many great stories to tell. One of those is about a young man who lived in the town over a century ago. He lived a special life and was the first citizen of Opelousas to become a Catholic Priest.
August 9, 2023 Arrest Report
August 9, 2023 Arrest Report
Opelousas Trivia — Hi-Fa-Lu-Ti and Opelousas Politics
Note: At the presentation on the Visual Historic Tour of Opelousas at the museum last Tuesday evening, there were several questions about Hi-Fa-Lu-Ti, a small book published during the 1850s decade. The following is a story about the book that will help to answer those questions.
The Letters of Antoine Garrigues de Flaujac
The St. Landry Catholic Church Cemetery in Opelousas, Louisiana has many old graves including the one of Louis Paul Antoine Marie Joseph Garrigues de Flaujac, famed hero of the Battle of New Orleans. A native of France, Garrigues de Flaujac eventually settled in Opelousas and became a leading citizen in the community.Â
Opelousas Visual Historic Tour Discussed on KADN TV Channel 15 Noon Show
Taylor Trache from KADN TV 15 in Lafayette, Carola Hartley and Patrice Melnick, from the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center pictured on the set of the noon show discussing the Visual Historic Tour of Opelousas set for tomorrow (Tuesday, July 25, 2023) from 6PM to 8PM.
The Rose Garden Club
Most people who have lived some time in Opelousas have heard stories about the old Cedar Lane Club, a famous restaurant and entertainment place during the 1930s to1950s. Much has been written over the years about the old Cedar Lane. But there were other such entertainment places in Opelousas as well. Anyone ever hear of the old Rose Garden Club?
Downtown Opelousas Has a Beautiful New Venue — The Parlor
Owned by Senic Batiste and Vanessa Harris-Batiste, the Parlor, located at 221 North Main Street in downtown Opelousas offers a venue that caters to all types of events and entertainment activities.
Abdalla’s of Opelousas
What started out as a humble establishment with small quarters in 1895 grew to be one of the largest and most outstanding firms of its kind in South Louisiana. Read the story of Abdalla’s Department Store
Photo from the Past — Hadley J. Castille (1933-2012) in 1980
Photo from the Past: Going through some of my hundreds of photos of Opelousas today I came across this one of Hadley J. Castille in 1980.Â
Opelousas Celebrates July 4th in 1918
The Fourth of July was a special day for the citizens of Opelousas in 1918. On that day an elaborate patriotic parade was held in the downtown headed by the local brass band and members of the American Red Cross.
Photo from the Past – Independence Day Parade in Eunice, LA – 1909
Today’s photo from the past, taken 114 years ago today, gives us a view of the great parade rolling through downtown Eunice for the 4th of July celebration in 1909.
June 20, 2023 Arrest Report
June 20, 2023 Arrest Report
Desormeaux Talks College Recruiting, Off Season Preparation
While some college football programs prefer to build with athletes obtained through the transfer portals, Mike Desormeaux prefers to build his Louisiana team primarily through high school recruiting.
St. Landry Parish Council Wednesday Meeting and Public Hearing Agendas
THE ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL HEREBY GIVES NOTICE THAT IT WILL HOLD THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC HEARING ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2023, STARTING AT 5:00 P.M.
June 16 – 19, 2023 Arrest Report
June 16 – 19, 2023 Arrest Report
Photo from the Past – 1960 AIC Girls Student Council Members
The photo from the past today comes from a collection belonging to SLN Editor Bobby Ardoin. Can you help us identify the girls in this photo?
Aldermen Provide Extra Time For Problematic Structures, Demolition For Others
The Board of Aldermen voted this week to provide the owners of properties located on Sandoz and Attakapas streets at least 90 more days in order to begin upgrading the houses they own before making a final decision on condemnation and demolition.
Photo from the Past – Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute (SLII) Boy’s Dormitory – c. 1907
Today’s photo from the past is a view of the boy’s dormitory at the Southwest Louisiana Industrial Institute in about 1907.
ELDERLY ABUSE SECTION
Yesterday, June 15, 2023, was World Elderly Abuse Awareness Day. Our senior citizens should not live a life of abuse.Please read.
Tribute to Clifton Chenier returns June 24
Chubby Carrier, Lil Jeff Boutte host special jam session to honor the King of Zydeco
June 15, 2023 Arrest Report
June 15, 2023 Arrest Report
Explore Corridor des Arts
Corridor des Arts offers a unique opportunity to explore creative spaces along Acadiana’s back roads with each week having a different focus.
Aldermen Approve Reduced Alcohol Sales, Drinking On Sunday Nights
Late Sunday night alcohol consumption and sales in Opelousas will now be reduced by two hours following a near unanimous decision by the Board of Aldermen.
Opelousas Downtown Development District and USDA Business Forum Set for June 28th.
On Wednesday, June 28, 2023, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, the Downtown Development District in partnership with the USDA Rural Development Business and Industry program will present opportunities for small businesses, potential new business owners, and organizations for funding through USDA and local financial institutions.
Opelousas Trivia – How Did Donald Gardner Stadium Get its Name?
How did Donald Gardner Stadium get it name?
Recently someone sent this question to St. Landry Now. For those of you who are also curious about that, here is the story…
