During the mid 1800s to early 1900s Mrs. Dorothy Mornhinveg Laas.was among the most successful business owners in Opelousas.
Author: Carola Hartley
Opelousas Woman’s Club Celebrates National Women’s History Month
The Opelousas Woman’s Club, the oldest women’s organization in Opelousas, celebrated National Women’s History Month with an Open House, held at the groups club house on Bellevue Street last Thursday evening.
Women of Opelousas – Mrs. Helena (Helen) Roberts Donato
As we continue with our series on the Women of Opelousas during this National Women’s History Month, today we focus on one of the pioneer educators in Opelousas and St. Landry Parish.
Women of Opelousas – Agatha Dupre Lafleur
As we continue with stories about the amazing women of Opelousas for National Women’s History Month, today I want to share the story of a woman who is so special to me. My grandmother, Agatha Dupre Lafleur.
1-49, Exit 11 Yard Sale Today in Sunset, Grand Coteau
Put your walking shoes on today and head on over to the I-49, Exit 11 Yard Sale in Sunset and Grand Coteau.
Women of Opelousas – Women’s Right to Vote in Opelousas
Women in Opelousas voted for the first time in 1920. The voting precinct was at the Opelousas Town Market on the corner of Bellevue and Market streets, on the St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square (today that building is called the Old City Hall).
Fire Damages Kelly’s Diner in Opelousas
A fire on South Union Street in Opelousas last night did heavy damage to Kelly’s Diner, a popular restaurant that has operated in Opelousas for over 40 years.
Women of Opelousas – Helen Selina Lewis King
As we continue to celebrate the women of Opelousas during National Women’s History Month, today we focus of a woman from the 19th century.
Women of Opelousas – Effie Dimmick Hollier
This week, on Thursday, March 16th the Opelousas Woman’s Club is holding a celebration for National Women’s History Month, a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society. One of those who did just that in Opelousas was Effie Dimmick Hollier, the first president of the Opelousas Woman’s Club. This is her story.
Photo from the Past – 1938 AIC Band
Members of the 1938 Academy of the Immaculate Conception Band pose for this photograph taken by the Clarion-News photographer on the school grounds in May of that year.
Women of Opelousas – Rachel Fergerson Gradenigo
During colonial times women in Louisiana had more rights than women in other areas of the US.
Women of Opelousas – Barbara Ann Giesen Perrault
As we celebrate National Women’s History Month this year, we want to remember a special woman of Opelousas who did so much for the community and the parish.
Women of Opelousas – Manon Baldwin
March is National Women’s History Month. During this month St. Landry Now will publish tidbits of history on the amazing women of Opelousas and St. Landry Parish. Today the focus is on Manon Baldwin, an early Opelousas businesswoman who has a corner in the heart of the old village named for her.
Opelousas Woman’s Club Celebrating Women’s History Month in March
No organization in Opelousas has more to celebration than the GFWC Opelousas Woman’s Club. And they intend to celebrate Women’s History Month in a special way.
Downtown, Part 2 – From Boom to Doom
The story on the old downtown, the heart of Opelousas, continues where we left off at the end of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s decades.
J. J. Thompson and Horse Racing in Opelousas
Although racing horses as a sport, and a business goes back over 200 years in Opelousas and St. Landry Parish, the history of this sport goes back thousands of years before that.
Ambassador James Joseph Has Passed Away
Please click to see the following note from the family of Opelousas native Ambassador James Joseph.
A Booming Downtown
In order for all to know and understand how important a healthy downtown is to our community, here is a glimpse of 200 years of downtown Opelousas history.
Tour Historic Opelousas during Black History Month – Part Two
We invite you to continue to explore historic Opelousas during Black History Month. Here is part two of a list with some historic information that will help you with that tour.
Tour Historic Opelousas during Black History Month
Opelousas citizens and visitors to the community can learn more about the contributions African Americans made to our local area by exploring historic sites in the city. We invite you to explore historic Opelousas during Black History Month. Here is a list with some historic information that will help you with that tour.
Acadiana Center for the Arts shows new work by filmmaker Zack Godshal
From February 1st through March 11th, Acadiana Center for the Arts (AcA), in Lafayette, Louisiana, will show Hogwash, a new 6½-hour film by Zack Godshall.
Around the Gumbo Cookoff – 2023
Walking around the Gumbo Cookoff held at the Ag Arena in Opelousas on Sunday.
January 25, 2023 Arrest Report
January 25, 2023 Arrest Report
Photos from the past – Around Opelousas in 1942
1942 began as a year of uncertainty in the United States, and Opelousas as well. Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941, and the US was forced to get involved in a war. Photos from the past of Opelousas during that year.
Photo from the Past – Father Joseph Verbis Lafleur
Our photo from the past for today comes from the first page of the Sunday World (Daily World) on Sunday, February 22, 1942.
St. Landry High School
Although there were several attempts at public education in Opelousas for some time prior to the 1890s, the first public high school in Opelousas that had support and survived was the St. Landry High School established in 1893. Here is the rest of that story.
Estelle Mason Perrault – An Amazing Opelousas Woman
Opelousas resident and longtime community volunteer and activist, Estelle Mason Perrault died last Sunday, on Christmas Day. She was an amazing Opelousas woman who devoted much of her life to this community, the town of Opelousas that she truly loved.
Christmas Described in 1881
Tomorrow is Christmas! A day of joy as all of the Christian faith celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Here is what Austin D. Williams, Publisher of the St. Landry Democrat newspaper thought about Christmas one hundred and forty one years ago today in Opelousas
Photo from the Past – Unidentified Opelousas Home
Undientified Opelousas home from the early 1900s. Anyone know what home this is?
Photo from the Past – Family of Dr. Armand Lafleur c. 1905
Photo from the Past is the family of Dr. Armand Lafleur (December 19, 1871 – July 11, 1939) and Mary Evelyn (Mamie) Fontenot Lafleur (June 20, 1879 – December 16, 1868). (Photograph courtesy of Tommy Lafleur)
Dr. Moise Lafleur – He gave his life to Science
On a grave in the small Pitre cemetery near Prairie Ronde in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana is a headstone with the inscription, “Dr. Moise Lafleur, who gave his life to science.”
Happy Thanksgiving from St. Landry Now
Happy Thanksgiving from St. Landry Now!
Photo from the Past – 1917 Church Point Catholic School 1st Graduates
The first graduates from Our Lady of Sacred Heart School in Church Point, LA pictured on their graduation day, June 20, 1917
Breaking the Glass Ceiling — Judith Estorge Is Lafayette’s First Woman Chief of Police
Lafayette Mayor President Josh Guillory introduced Judith Estorge as the city’s new Police Chief on Friday at a press conference held at the department. Chief Estorge is the first woman to have that position in Lafayette, LA.
Lafayette Police Chief Judith Estorge Photo Gallery
Last Friday, November 4, 2022, Judith Estorge, a resident of Opelousas, was introduced to the public as the new Lafayette Police Chief at a press conference held at the Lafayette Police Department in that city.
Photo From The Past – Downtown Washington Early 1900s
Driving through downtown Washington, LA a century ago.
Hebrew Rest Cemetery – Washington, LA
The story of Hebrew Rest Cemetery in Washington is one of devotion to the graves of long deceased ancestors.
The Tourist Court on West Landry Street
What most people in Opelousas know as Pap’s Motel, was opened on West Landry Street in Opelousas in 1956. But there is so much more to the story of that tourist court and the couple who established the business.
St. Landry Chamber of Commerce Weekly Update
St. Landry Chamber of Commerce Events Calendar, including this weeks special events and activities.
https://www.stlandrychamber.com/events/
Early Coffee at Ole Opelousas Market House
Since the beginning of the Opelousas town market in early 1800s, there was always a meat market operated from there, as well as other businesses such as Gil’s Coffee Shop, established during the latter part of that century.
