History St Landry History Community Opelousas History

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.)

Business News Community Opinion

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.

Community St Landry Parish Opelousas History Local News History St Landry History

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.

History Places St Landry History People & Places Community Opelousas History

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 Culture Local News History Culinary & Culture Community Opinion

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.

Louisiana History History Genealogy St Landry History Community Opelousas History

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. 

History St Landry History Culinary & Culture Community Opelousas History

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?