Volunteers with the Louisiana Orphan Tain Museum, Bernadette Gaudin and Martha Aubert, are sprucing up around the area in preparation of Saturday’s Orphan Train Reunion Gathering.
Opelousas History
St. Landry Catholic Church Cemetery Tours
Tour Dates: October 14, 15, 21, 22, 2023
It’s time again for the St. Landry Catholic Church Cemetery Tours. The theme this year is “Reflections Of Our Past.”
The First Woman US Cheerleader’s Opelousas Connection
As I like to say, Opelousas is a small town with a big story to tell. And there are many chapters to that big story. One chapter that most have probably never heard is the one about the first woman cheerleader in the US and her connection to Opelousas.
The Fountains on the Square — And More
Did you know at one time the St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square in the heart of Opelousas had two beautiful fountains? What happened during the construction of those fountains shocked the whole town. Here is what I learned about those fountains, plus the rest of that story.
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.)
Parish Unveils Courthouse Improvements
From the first floor to the roof, the St. Landry Parish Courthouse is now featuring a refreshed appearance that was unveiled ceremoniously Tuesday morning to a sizable crowd that witnessed firsthand approximately $3.4 million of construction improvements.
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.
Mass Celebrates The Mission Of Dedicated Priest
Father Joseph Verbis Lafleur was described Thursday night as a man on a mission, whose powerful influence and life lessons still provide an impact 79 years after his death.
St. Landry Catholic Church Cemetery Tours – October 14, 15, 21, 22, 2023
It’s time again for the St. Landry Catholic Church Cemetery Tours. The theme this year is “Reflections Of Our Past.”
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.
Rev. Carmen George Chachere – Opelousas’ First African American Catholic Priest
Today’s Photo from the Past is this one of Rev. Carmen George Chachere (1909-1939), the first African American Catholic Priest from Opelousas.
First Opelousas Catholic Priest – Rev. Charles Beauchamp Anderson
Opelousas, one of the oldest Louisiana’s towns, has so many great stories to tell. One of those is about a young man who lived in the town over a century ago. He lived a special life and was the first citizen of Opelousas to become a Catholic Priest.
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.
Opelousas Trivia — Hi-Fa-Lu-Ti and Opelousas Politics
Note: At the presentation on the Visual Historic Tour of Opelousas at the museum last Tuesday evening, there were several questions about Hi-Fa-Lu-Ti, a small book published during the 1850s decade. The following is a story about the book that will help to answer those questions.
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.
Opelousas Visual Historic Tour Discussed on KADN TV Channel 15 Noon Show
Taylor Trache from KADN TV 15 in Lafayette, Carola Hartley and Patrice Melnick, from the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center pictured on the set of the noon show discussing the Visual Historic Tour of Opelousas set for tomorrow (Tuesday, July 25, 2023) from 6PM to 8PM.
A Visual Historic Tour Through Opelousas Set for Tuesday Evening at Opelousas Museum
On Tuesday, July 25, historian Carola Lillie Hartley will present, “A Visual Historic Tour through Opelousas” at the Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center. The evening will include images, stories and historical facts about the area. The public is invited to attend.
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?
Abdalla’s of Opelousas
What started out as a humble establishment with small quarters in 1895 grew to be one of the largest and most outstanding firms of its kind in South Louisiana. Read the story of Abdalla’s Department Store
Photo from the Past — Hadley J. Castille (1933-2012) in 1980
Photo from the Past: Going through some of my hundreds of photos of Opelousas today I came across this one of Hadley J. Castille in 1980.
Opelousas Celebrates July 4th in 1918
The Fourth of July was a special day for the citizens of Opelousas in 1918. On that day an elaborate patriotic parade was held in the downtown headed by the local brass band and members of the American Red Cross.
Photo from the Past – c.1960 AIC Boy’s Student Council
Photo from the Past: AIC c.1960 Boy’s Student Council. Can anyone identify any of the students in this photo? (Bobby Ardoin collection.)
Photo from the Past — Christian Brothers at AIC 1964
Photo from the Past: This photo was taken of the AIC Christian Brothers in 1964.
A Look Back in Time – St. Landry Bank and Trust Company
A tidbit of Opelousas history: Thanks to Shelly Fontenot with St. Landry Bank and Trust Company for sharing this step back in time with us.
Photo from the Past – 1960 AIC Girls Student Council Members
The photo from the past today comes from a collection belonging to SLN Editor Bobby Ardoin. Can you help us identify the girls in this photo?
Opelousas Trivia – How Did Donald Gardner Stadium Get its Name?
How did Donald Gardner Stadium get it name?
Recently someone sent this question to St. Landry Now. For those of you who are also curious about that, here is the story…
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…
Opelousas Rotarians Receive A Visual History Tour
Opelousas Rotary Club members rapidly became time travelers Tuesday as they were taken on a historical trip that consumed several thousand years of St. Landry Parish history.
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?)
Hartley to Speak at Lafayette Genealogical Society Meeting on May 18th.
Lafayette Genealogical Society monthly meeting will be Thursday, May 18th, 2023 beginning at 6:00p.m., Lafayette Public Library, Southside Branch, 6101 Johnston St., Lafayette, LA. Guest speaker is Louisiana native Carola Lillie Hartley.
Harry S. Truman’s Opelousas Connection
Today in History — On May 8, 1884, U.S. President Harry Truman was born near Lamar, Missouri. Did you know he has a connection to Opelousas?
The Orphan Train Comes To Opelousas
Opelousas was buzzing with excitement and anticipation in April of 1907. Local citizens, especially those who had agreed to accept a child, were awaiting the arrival of the first group of New York orphans.
“Louisiana Orphan Trains – The Untold Story” Documentary Screening
On Wednesday, May 3 at the Delta Grand Theatre in downtown Opelousas, a special screening of “Louisiana Orphan Trains – The Untold Story” will take place.
Black History Exhibit Continuation and Historic Church Documents
St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court Charles Jagneaux is announcing the continued exhibition in April for a popular parish wide traveling historic exhibit which has been presented to historic African-American church congregations since February.
Photo from the Past – Waldorf Service Station and Massard Tire Supply – 1948
Today’s Photo from the Past, taken in 1948, shows the Waldorf Service Station and Massard Tire Supply located at 235 South Court Street in downtown Opelousas.
Women of Opelousas – Mamie Camella “Cam” Johnson Leach
Opelousas lost a good citizen in September of 2003 when Cam Leach passed away. I knew Cam and considered her a good friend.
Women of Opelousas – Susan Evangeline Walker Anding
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.
Women of Opelousas – Muriel Boswell Thompson
Born on August 30, 1929, Muriel was the daughter of Rev. Cephas and Amelia Boswell. Growing up in Opelousas, she attended the St. Landry Training School, graduating from there with honors.
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.
