During the mid 1800s to early 1900s Mrs. Dorothy Mornhinveg Laas.was among the most successful business owners in Opelousas.
History
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.
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).
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.
The Great Train Accident of 1925
What may have been the greatest tragedy in my ancestors’ history occurred in 1925 in the little community of Lawtell.
Lafayette Genealogical Society to Meet Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 6:00 p.m
Lafayette Genealogical Society monthly meeting will be Thursday, March 16, 2023 beginning at 6:00 p.m
Mayor Alsandor Presents Opelousas Woman’s Club A Proclaimation For National Women’s History Month
Mayor Julius Alsandor presented members of the Opelousas Woman’s Club with a Proclamation for National Women’s History Month and acknowledging the contributions that OWC has made in our the history of our community. Pictured Left to right: Sylvia Chauvin, Sarah Branton, Diane Gallagher, Mayor Alsandor, Wanda Juneau, Susan Litton. (Submitted Photograph.)
NEW EXHIBIT AT OPELOUSAS MUSEUM
Through images, text, maps and a timeline, the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center wil display the lifestyle, trades and culture of Free People of Color from the 1700s to the present.
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.
St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court Black History Exhibit Available for Additional Viewing
St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court Charles Jagneaux is announcing an extension for a research-based exhibition that chronicles the lives and history of the African-American families who have helped shape three centuries of parish history.
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.
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.
St. Landry Preservationists Host Mother’s Day Brunch
The Preservationists of St. Landry, Inc. have begun selling sponsorships and tickets for a Mother’s Day Brunch scheduled for the historic Michel Prudhomme Home in Opelousas.
Most Endangered Places and Preservation Award Nominations due by 3/5/23
It’s time to submit your nominations for LTHP’s list of Most Endangered Places and the 2023 Louisiana Preservation Awards!
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.
Celebrate Black History Month with NuNu’s
Celebrate Black History Month with NuNu’s
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.
Mississippi-Based Film Crew Interested In Opelousas Kidnapping Case
The mysterious and perplexing aspects of the Bobby Dunbar story with roots embedded firmly in Opelousas might be nearly 113 years old, yet it continues to be an intriguing detective case that has drawn the attention of a documentary film crew.
Lafayette Genealogical Society to Meet on Thursday, February 16, 2023
Lafayette Genealogical Society monthly meeting will be Thursday, February 16, 2023 beginning at 6:00 p.m., Lafayette Public Library, Southside Branch, 6101 Johnston St., Lafayette, LA.
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.
Imperial St. Landry Genealogy & Historical Society to Meet – Saturday January 14, 10:00am
Imperial St. Landry Genealogy & Historical Society, will meet on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 10:00am. Guess Speaker: Neal Bertrand.
Lafayette Genealogical Society to Meet on January 19, 2023
Lafayette Genealogical Society monthly meeting will be Thursday, January 19, 2023 beginning at 6:00 p.m., Lafayette Public Library, Southside Branch, 6101 Johnston St., Lafayette, LA.
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.
A Little Louisiana History – How Louisiana Became Spanish in 1762
The Historic New Orleans Collection continues its “Exhibition Shortcuts” YouTube series with a video that explores the factors that brought Louisiana under Spanish control.
New Signage Identifying Native Trees and Plants Installed at Le Vieux Village Historic Attraction
In addition to history, visitors at Le Vieux Village Heritage Park in Opelousas can now learn more about native plants and trees.
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
Opelousas Museum to Present Free People of Color Exhibit in March
The Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center is developing a project entitled “Still Rising: Free People of Color in St. Landry Parish from 1700 to the present.” St. Landry Parish had the largest number of Free People of Color in Louisiana, outside of New Orleans.
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)
Rosenwald School Dedication Photo Gallery
Photo gallery from the Rosenwald School Dedication taken by Bobby Ardoin.