n a newsletter early this month, the center’s director released an announcement stating they were able to acquire their very own building to call home for Opelousas Pregnancy Center.
Places
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.
EUNICE PUBLIC LIBRARY RECOGNIZED AS 68th PUBLIC LIBRARY IN LOUISIANA
Louisiana has welcomed its newest library. The State Library of Louisiana formally recognized the Eunice Public Library as the 68th public library in the state.
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.
Java Square Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Grand Re-Opening
Downtown Opelousas coffee shop, Java Square Cafe, re-opens with a new facelift following the first phase of its remodel.
Krotz Springs Fireworks on the River
Each year the small town of Krotz Springs goes all out on an amazing family-fun Fourth of July celebration in Nall Park.
The Sorry State of Estates — Dardeau Building
Traveling through downtown Opelousas, one will surely notice the building on the corner of North and Court streets. That building is an important part of the historic fabric of downtown Opelousas. This month’s Sorry State of Estates highlights the historic Dardeau building.
Town of Melville Annual Water Quality Report – 2022
We are pleased to present to you the Annual Water Quality Report for the year 2022.This report is designed to inform you about the quality of your water and services we deliver to you every day
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.
Notre Région — Leonville in St. Landry Parish, LA
The water tower marks the Town of Leonville in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. (Story and Photographs for Notre Région by Freddie Herpin.)
Photo from the Past – Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute (SLII) Boy’s Dormitory – c. 1907
Today’s photo from the past is a view of the boy’s dormitory at the Southwest Louisiana Industrial Institute in about 1907.
This Day in History – Marquis de Lafayette
For those who love history, you’ll be interested in this about the Marquis de Lafayette, the namesake of our neighboring city of Lafayette, LA:
Downtown Landmarks
The Rexall Drugs sign and Lawyers Row both located in the downown section of Opelousas.
Photo from the Past – Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute (SLII) Girl’s Dormitory – c. 1907
Today’s photo from the past shows us the girl’s dormitory at the Southwest Louisiana Industrial Institute in about 1907.
Citizen Group Meets To Discuss Opelousas Downtown
Revitalization for downtown Opelousas was discussed at length Sunday afternoon as a group of citizens exchanged ideas and potential networking plans during an informal meeting held inside the city historic district.
CITY OF OPELOUSAS RECEIVES TRASH RECEPTACLES THROUGH KEEP LOUISANA BEAUTIFUL GRANT
Melanie Lee-LeBouef, Opelousas tourism and Main Street Director, shows the new trash cans at Le Vieux Village in Opelousas.
Azaleas Decorate The Approach Of Opelousas Springtime
It’s been often said that Opelousas appears most well-dressed and picturesque during the beginning of spring.
Lafleur Made The Right Decision With Glass Company
Richard Lafleur had experienced the situation before, but his solution 40 years ago required a different approach.
New Courthouse Fire Escape Noticeably Arrives
Entrances and streets around the St. Landry Parish Courthouse were spectacularly blocked for a lengthy period of time Wednesday morning as an exterior fire escape was added to an ongoing $2 million renovation project, according to parish president Jessie Bellard.
Photo from the Past – Unidentified Opelousas Home
Undientified Opelousas home from the early 1900s. Anyone know what home this is?
Photo From The Past – Downtown Washington Early 1900s
Driving through downtown Washington, LA a century ago.
Early Coffee at Ole Opelousas Market House
Since the beginning of the Opelousas town market in early 1800s, there was always a meat market operated from there, as well as other businesses such as Gil’s Coffee Shop, established during the latter part of that century.
2022 Historic District Preservation Awards Presented
Each year the City of Opelousas honors property owners for special contributions and efforts in preserving historic architecture in the city.
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
Expert Care, Locally Owned: Richard Medical Clinic Reopens in Familiar Location
Richard Medical Clinic, at 507 N. Market St. In Opelousas will have its ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday October 4, 2022, at 12:00 pm to commemorate it’s reopening to the community.
Photo From The Past – The First Yambilee Building
This rare photo from the past shows the first Yambilee office on Court Street in downtown Opelousas as it appeared in 1946.
Wildlife In St. Landry – Bobcat
Bobcat in St. Landry Parish – by Wildlife Photographer Berchman Soileau
The St. Landry Progress – The Donato Brothers, Emerson Bentley and the 1868 Opelousas Massacre
After reviewing the materials I’ve collected over the last 40 plus years of researching the newspapers of Opelousas, I feel an important paper to the history of our town is one that was almost forgotten
Meet Wildlife Photographer Berchman Soileau
St. Landry Now is proud to announce the start of a new feature. Berchman Soileau, a native and current resident of St. Landry Parish and Opelousas will be submitting his wildlife photographs as a featured item of interest each week.
Photo from the Past: Christman Building
This is a photograph from c. 1908-09 of the Christman Building on West Landry Street in downtown Opelousas. It was owned by Ben Christman, an Opelousas businessman who operated in town over a century ago. (Photograph courtesy of David Parnell.)
Is St. Landry The Real Gateway To Acadiana?
Is Lafayette guilty of geographic misdirection or does Bill Rodier have it right?
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.
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.
Ethel Park Dedication Previewed With Reception
The Ethel Park project dedicated Saturday in the Town of Washington was celebrated in advance Friday night as hundreds crammed into the historic Wolff Reception and Banquet Hall for a gala ceremony and preview event.
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.
Opelousas Downtown Market – Saturday, July 30, 2022
Opelousas Downtown Market will again be opened for business this Saturday, July 30, 2022 from 10:00AM until 2:00PM on the beautiful St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square. St. Landry Now will be there. Come see our booth and visit with friends while you shop the numerous booths.
Construction Begins for Arnaudville Fire Department Building
The construction of a new volunteer fire department building in Arnaudville scheduled for completion sometime in 2023 began Friday morning with a symbolic ground-breaking ceremony.
Opera Houses of Old Opelousas – Part Two
The story of the Opelousas Opera Houses continues: By the end of the 1880s and into the early 1890s, the appeal of the Opelousas Opera House and Perrodin’s Hall was starting to fade. The talk of the town at that time became “a new more modern opera house is needed.”
Washington To Hold Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Ethel Park
The highly anticipated opening of Ethel Park is finally happening in the Town of Washington. Celebrate the occasion just a little early on August 5 at 6pm at the Wolff Hall right along Washington’s Main Street. Then, be there Saturday morning (August 6) for the official dedication and ribbon cutting.
Photos From The Past: The Depot in Washington, LA – Early 1900s
Photographs of the Depot in Washington courtesy of Tommy Lafleur and were used in the book Through A Lens, Early 20th Century Washington, LA. – Photo Album of Ophelia Pitre Lafleur – by Carola Lillie Hartley and Tommy Lafleur.
