Community History People & Places Places St Landry History

Opelousas Business and Merchants Organizations – Over the Years

Following the US Civil War, the merchants and businessmen of Opelousas started to discuss the possibility of organizing for promotional purposes. Although earlier groups were formed over the years before the war, they eventually dispersed because of the war. By the 1870 decade the town was rebuilding, and new businesses were opening. At that time some of the local merchants began to organize, and several groups were started, but with not much success until the 1890s.

Community History People & Places Places St Landry History

The Opera Houses of Old Opelousas – Part Four. The Opera House That Never Was

We know Opelousas had an opera house as early as the 1830s, with the first being called the Opelousas Varieties. There was also the Opelousas Opera House, Perrodin’s Hall, Littell’s Opera House and the Sandoz Opera House. But there was a plan for another opera house that would have outdone all the rest. Unfortunately, it never got built. Read the story of the Opera House That Never Was.

Community History Places St Landry History

The Opera Houses of Old Opelousas – Part Three

It was a magical time in Opelousas. A time when there were opera houses in the city. We learned about some of the earliest Opera Houses of old Opelousas, the ones that operated during that century. In Part two we left our story as the 1800s was coming to an end, and Opelousas was moving into a new century. Part Three continues the story of the Opera Houses of Old Opelousas.

Community History People & Places Places St Landry History

The Opera Houses of Old Opelousas – Part One

From its humble beginning in the 1700s, Opelousas provided different forms of entertainment for its citizens. In the early days one could find musical performances and other forms of entertainment at ball rooms in the local hotels, at social halls located on the second floor of downtown business places and even local homes.

Community History Places St Landry History

Journey Back In Time to Explore The Old Gibbs Corner

Ever wonder as you ride through Opelousas what it must have been like one hundred or even two hundred years ago? This story will bring you back in time and show the changes made to just one corner in old Opelousas over its centuries of existence. Let’s explore the corner of Bellevue and Court streets, originally known as the old Gibbs Corner.

Community Culinary & Culture Culture History Places St Landry History

The Buildings and Other Attractions of Le Vieux Village

Located on U. S. Highway 190 at the east entrance to the city, Le Vieux Village du Poste des Opelousas is a historic treasure. Created by the Opelousas Tourism and Activities Committee in 1988, development of the village took over two decades. Today the village features historic buildings of interest to the St. Landry Parish area of southwest Louisiana.

Community History People & Places Places St Landry History

Le Vieux Village du Poste des Opelousas – A Historic Treasure

At the East entrance to Opelousas sits a historic treasure known as Le Vieux Village du Poste des Opelousas, the Old Village of the Opelousas Poste. Created in 1988 by the Opelousas Tourism and Activities Committee, the history of the development of the area where the village is located goes back over fifty years.

Places St Landry History

Photo from the Past – Dezauche – Chauvin – Womack Home early 1900s

CAROLA LILLIE HARTLEYPublisher and Contributing Writer Dezauche – Chauvin – Womack Home on North Lombard Street in the Opelousas Historic District. The home was owned by several Opelousas families over the years. This photo from the past, belonging to Joann Caillouet, is on loan to Fredric James Larson, Jr., the present owner of the historic Read More…