CAROLA LILLIE HARTLEY
Publisher and Contributing Writer
150 Years Ago – Week of August 25 – September 2, 1872
Mount Hope Nurseries in Washington, LA advertised they had fruit trees, grape vines and Evergreen Thorn Hedge Plants. The business was owned by T. Jay Lucy.
The Divine Service of the Episcopal Church was celebrated in Washington on Sunday, September 1, 1872 at 11:00 AM and in Opelousas on that same date at 5:00 PM.
Opelousas merchant E. Phillips advertised sewing machines for sale at affordable prices of $57.50, $62.50, and $67.50. The machines were warranted for five years. They could hem, fell, tuck, bride and bind. The ad claimed a 10 year old child could operate the machine.
P. J. Lefebvre, Agent, with a store located at the corner of Court and Landry streets, offered a variety of items for sale including staple and fancy dry goods, clothing, boots, shoes and hats, notions, hardware and tinware, crockery, groceries, wines, liquors, bagging and ties, corn, oats and bran.
C. Mornhinveg, Jr. announced he had opened his tailor establishment on Bellevue Street, adjoining the Opelousas tin Shop, immediately opposite Bloch and Dupre’s burnt store, where he is ready to make to order men and boys’ clothing, on short notice, and a fit guaranteed.
Mrs. M. M. Hayes announced her School for Young Ladies would open on Monday, September 2, 1872, at her home in Opelousas. According to the announcement, Mrs. Hayes stated: “I intend this institution to be permanent and will endeavor to meet the wants of this community, by affording facilities for a thorough education.”
George Pulford, seller of saddles and harnesses, announced the removal of his old stand on Main Street in Opelousas to the Varieties Theatre building on the same street.
A new steamboat in Washington — The Steamer Peerless, H. H. Broad, Master; J. B. Schmidt, Clerk. The steamer left New Orleans every Saturday at 5 o’clock PM; and Washington every Wednesday at 10 o’clock AM.
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100 Years Ago – Week of August 27 – September 2, 1922
The first Greek christening in Opelousas took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Mamalakis on West Vine Street. Their infant son Venizelos was christened by Rev. Peacia Ferencinos of the Greek Church of New Orleans. E. G. Highland of Alexandria was the child’s Godfather. The Daily Clarion-Progress newspaper reported, “It was a beautiful and impressive ceremony and the only one of that faith ever held in Opelousas.”
W. M. Waddill of Melyville and James Hicks of Neita, were in Opelousas to attend the meeting of the St. Landry Parish Schoolboard on Monday.
E. L. Bruner of Port Barre was doing business in Opelousas on the previous Saturday and stated that more than three hundred rice farmers of Southwest Louisiana had signed milling contracts and would mill their rice and sell through the Farm Bureau co-operating marketing association.
“A city that can put on a celebration which commands international attention, can be depended upon to make its marks in the commercial world — and such a tribute can be paid to Opelousas, the Trade Center of Southwest Louisiana,” said Milton Delaup, a traveling salesman, who was a frequent visitor to Opelousas and who covered the Southern half of Louisiana. Delaup told this to a reporter from the Daily Clarion Progress newspaper, who was doing an article about the upcoming Cotton Carnival celebration scheduled for later that year. Delaup’s remarks were printed in that local newspaper on August 28, 1922.
Mrs. Charles Ventre announced her 7-room home on North Market Street in Opelousas was for sale.
St. Landry Lumber Co. Ltd. announced lumber prices were going higher.
The Krotz Road Bridge was under construction to connect a vast country. The bridge was on the Krotz Springs – Port Barre Road, which was recognized as the “east and west” state highway and would eventually open up a direct highway from DeQuincey to Bogalousa, in which Port Barre and Opelousas are vitally interested.
Mayor A. J. Perrault announced he wanted the city to be the cleanest in the entire state. He created “a program to get the community spirit worked up to such a point that results would be easy,” the mayor told the Clarion Progress reporter.
The Opelousas Rotary Club pledged to help organize a band for Opelousas. The club agreed to rename the band that was originally called the “Rotary Band.” The name was changed to the “Opelousas Band.” The band was being organized by the Opelousas Trade Extension Bureau, with Professor Malone as the band leader.
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50 Years Ago – Week of August 27 – September 2, 1972
New massive ovens were installed at Opelousas Senior High School during that time. Also installed in the updated kitchen were bun warmers, cabinet type lockers ideal for keeping any type of food warm.
St. Landry Parish schools, and all other schools in the parish, opened their doors during this week in 1972.
Voter registration for the upcoming second Democratic Primary ended on Wednesday of that week.
Cutrera Brothers Music Center, located at 226 West Landry Street in Opelousas, emphasized sales, service and lessons in their advertisement in the Daily World during that week.
The Fabrific Centers had locations at 176 South Main Street in Opelousas, and in the Westgate Shopping Center in Eunice.
Bobby Savoy, owner of Savoy Faire on Landry Street in Opelousas, announced he was opening a motorcycle shop in the old Healy Building next to Savoy Faire (former West Brothers Store), where he would service and sell motorbikes and motorcycles.
Two huge family reunions were held in Opelousas during this time. The Chachere clan held their annual gathering at the Yamatorium on West Landry Street. The descendants of the Ferguson-Griffith-Thompson-Tatman-Courtney families assembled at the Civic Center in Opelousas.
Washington book author Robert Olivier presented Governor Edwin Edwards with a copy of his novel, Tidoon, a story of the Cajun Teche. The book is a short story about an earlier era in St. Landry Parish and deals with a young Cajun growing up along the bayou.
