As this year’s National Women’s History Month comes to an end, we share the story of a very special Opelousas woman, one who did great things for the town, the parish, the state and the country.
Louisiana History
Women of Opelousas – Marie Magdalena Esprit/Lemelle Simien
As a Free Woman of Color, Marie Magdalena Esprit/Lemelle Simien played an important role in the story of Opelousas, St. Landry Parish and Louisiana.
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.
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.”
New Book Focuses on Traditional Healing in South Louisiana
The Acadian Museum of Erath is very pleased to announce that the long awaited book Healing Traditions of South Louisiana by Mary B. Perrin and Beverly Fuselier will be released to the public on Wednesday, October 19th at 10 am, at the French Quarter Visitor Center for Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve, 419 Decatur St., New Orleans, Louisiana.
Louisiana Author Ruth Laney’s New Book Set to Be Released
The book Cherie Quarters: The Place and the People That Inspired Ernest J. Gaines by Louisiana author Ruth Laney is set to be released on October 19, 2022
Photo from the Past – Roger Family from Arnaudville, LA
Photo from the Past – Roger Family from Arnaudville, LA (Photograph from John Coffey Collection.)
Juneteenth, the Newest Federal Holiday, and State Holiday, to be Celebrated
Juneteenth National Independence Day falls on Sunday, June 19, 2022, this year. It is a federal holiday with most federal employees having Monday, the 20th, as a day off of work. It is also a new Louisiana State holiday celebrated on the third Saturday in June each year. State offices will be closed on Friday, with celebrations and activities planned for Saturday across the state.
Photo from the Past – Alexandria, LA – International Harvesting Farming Store c.1927
International Harvester Farming Store, located at 1111 Second Street in Alexandria, LA. – c.1927
Who Are You? What Building Is This? Where Is This Located?
t seems people today are interested in history and stories of the past.
Tidbits of Opelousas History – A Place Called Opelousas
For those of us who have been around Opelousas for some time, when we talk about our town, we are talking about a place that we know today and have also known for several decades
Tidbits of History – Mardi Gras in Louisiana
Mardi Gras, that rowdy celebration, has been riding piggyback on the Catholic Church’s Lenten celebration for almost 2,000 years.
Narratives of Ex-slaves — Henry Reed and Mary Ann John of Opelousas, Louisiana
As part of the United States Work Progress Administration started by President Franklin Roosevelt uring the great depression, in 1935 the Federal Writers’ Project was created. The project went on until 1943.
Photo From the Past – Washington High School
The history of education in Washington is similar to the education history in neighboring Opelousas and other St. Landry Parish towns.
Photo From Past in Louisiana History – 1912 St. Martin Parish Fair
1912 was an important year in the history of Breaux Bridge in St Martin Parish, Louisiana.
Photo from the Past – Crowley, LA
The 4th of July celebration in Crowley, Acadia Parish, Louisiana drew a large crowd in 1918. Crowley, today known as the Rice Capital of the World, is the seat of Acadia Parish that was created from a part of St. Landry Parish in 1887.
Photo from the Past – LSU 1941 Football Team
For those who love sports, and especially those who follow the LSU football team, here is a photo from the past you will enjoy. This photo shows some members on the Louisiana State University (LSU) at Baton Rouge football team in 1941.
Photo from the Past – New Iberia, LA
The main commercial district of downtown New Iberia is pictured here in this postcard product in c.1906.
Photo from the Past – Lafayette, LA
Cadets from the Southwest Louisiana Institute (SLI), now know at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL), march down Jefferson Street in downtown Lafayette in 1907.
