Opelousas History History St Landry History Community

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.)

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

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.

Opelousas History History Places St Landry History People & Places Community

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.

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The Sorry State of Estates — Lacombe/New Drug Store Building

See this latest article (a paid advertisement) on The Sorry State of Estates in Opelousas, LA. —
A building that is sure to catch your eye on Court Street, right across from the St. Landry Parish Courthouse in the heart of historic downtown Opelousas, is the Lacombe/New Drug Store.

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. 

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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?

Local News Community Opelousas History

Guest Speaker Bobby Ardoin Gives Presentation at Opelousas Rotary Club

Photograph: Guest speaker Bobby Ardoin and club member Mike Ortego show a copy of a 1958 Daily World baseball preview highlighting the summer baseball program at South City Park in Opelousas. (Photograph by Freddie Herpin.) The Opelousas Rotary Club met on Tuesday, June 13th for their weekly luncheon where local sports writer, Bobby Ardoin, was presented Read More…

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Learn our History Today — The Opelousas Connection to Bonnie and Clyde

May 23 – Learn Our History Today: On May 23, 1934, Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, a.k.a. Bonnie and Clyde, were killed on a rural road near Arcadia in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, by a posse of Texas and Louisiana law officers led by former Texas Ranger Frank Hamer. (Did you know the pair had a connection to Opelousas?)