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From Wrought to Rot: The Story of J.B. Sandoz
In the early 1870s, a Quebec-born blacksmith named Joseph Jobin took on an apprentice in Opelousas, Louisiana. The apprentice's name was Jacques B. Sandoz. In 1877, Jobin passed away and left his…
Lifetimes of Lumber: The Story of St. Landry Lumber Co.
St. Landry Lumber Co. is one of the oldest businesses in the Opelousas area. The oldest transactions can be dated to the 1890s. The story of its early owners quickly grows murky though, as the…
Keeping Acadiana Beefed Up, The Story of Prejean's Wholesale Meats
It is no secret that in Acadiana, meat is everywhere. Every true Cajun/Creole loves filling their stomach with rice and gravy, fricassee, gumbo, or any other stew. This is thanks in part to…
Deep Roots and Sweet Cane: Exploring the Tradition and Resilience of Domingues Farms
Sugar cane farming is a tradition and economic cornerstone in the fertile land of Vermilion Parish, Louisiana. Domingues Farms, with roots dating back to 1918, embodies its founder's legacy with…
Forging A Legacy: The Enduring Spirit of Sam Guarino & Son Inc.
Sam Guarino & Son Inc., a cornerstone of Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, is a testament to Sicilian craftsmanship and dedication. Founded over a century ago by Sicilian immigrant Salvadore “Sam”…
The Veranda Hotel's Journey Through Fires, Violence, and Modernization: The Evolution of Abbeville's Historic Landmark
Born from a courthouse construction project in 1845, the Veranda Hotel evolved into a bustling hub for traveling professionals during the nineteenth century. The hotel embodied growth and development…
Generations of Banking in the Heart of Acadiana: The Bank of Abbeville and Trust Company
The Bank of Abbeville and Trust Company has stood the test of time. For over a century, it has served the banking needs of Vermilion Parish, Louisiana residents. Since its establishment in 1894, the…
The Lost History of Uncle Sam Plantation
The once large plantation is completely gone from the land today
Old Opelousas City Hall/Town Market
The abandoned building was once the center of commerce in Opelousas
The Lost Treasure of the Tunica Tribe
The Tunica Treasure contained thousands of artifacts the tribe made themselves or traded for.
Forgotten History of the Calumet Plantation
The plantation is the site of a Civil War battle, sugar experiments, and racing planes.
Sunken Steamboat in Bayou Teche
There sits a sunken steamboat below four feet of mud in Bayou Teche.
The Oldest House in Lafayette Parish is Circa 1790.: The seventh generation of the Arceneaux family still lives in The Arceneaux House, circa 1790.
If one were to visit Vermillionville today, they would see what is known as the Beaubassin House which is incorrectly dated as 1840. In reality, it is much, much older, from as early as 1790, and its…
Thousands of German POWs in Acadiana During WWII: German POWs Helped with Severe Labor Shortages During WWII
Many of us are unaware that during WWII the US was housing over 425,000 enemy POWs (mostly Germans) in over 500 camps spread over 46 states. Over 2,000 of them were here in Acadiana, in side camps…
The Resurrection of Darby Plantation: Darby Plantation is Reborn into a Beautiful Golf Club Community Development
One of the majestic gems that once graced the Spanish Lake area of New Iberia, Darby Plantation was built in 1813 by Louis St. Marc Darby and was an excellent example of the rural Louisiana colonial…
Evangeline's Gabriel Settled in Lafayette in 1765: Is Beau Bassin a Cajun Shangri-La?
One of the earliest settlers of Lafayette parish was Louis Arceneaux. Many believe that Louis was the real-life character, “Gabriel” in Longfellow’s famous poem, Evangeline. Back in Nova…
The Many Faces of a Store: Store to Museum
Like in many towns anywhere in the world, buildings can take on different faces throughout their lives.
Hidden Town of Sherburne: Louisiana's Lumber Towns
Besides the name, the remains left of Sherburne are a few wooden frames of homes, steel equipment and a sawdust pile.
Old City Hall: Lafayette's First City Hall and National Registered Historic Place
One of the first buildings in the town of Lafayette to be on the National Register of Historic Places was, the affectionately nicknamed, Old City Hall.
The Lost Town of Morrisonville
The small, historic town of Morrisonville in Iberville Parish is not only lost to its past residences but also to history.
The Largest Plantation Ever Built: Belle Grove Plantation
One of the largest plantations to ever be built in Louisiana and in the South was the Belle Grove Plantation of White Castle. This southern mansion was 62 feet high and 122 feet wide that contained…
Robbery Goes Wrong: The Blanc brothers take more than money from Martin Begnaud.
Just because you give up your money, doesn't mean you can keep your life.
The Southern Louisiana Saint: A story of Charlene Richard
An ordinary girl, with an extraordinary faith.
"I'll see your hundred and raise you twenty.": Chretien Point Plantation and its Mistress
Félicité Chretien is not a woman to mess with.
Lafitte Legends and Festivals: A story of Jean Lafitte and the Contraband Days festival.
Where will you dig to find his buried treasure?
Midnight Axe Murders: The Killings of Clementine Barnabet
Hide your axe.
The Old Cajun Church: St. Jacques de Cabahannoce Catholic Church
The Church Under The River
The Old Wooden Church: St. Gabriel Church
18th Century Church
The Iberian Masterpiece: St. Peter Catholic Church
Duperier Grounds
The Catholic Church of Patterson, Louisiana: St. Joseph Church
19th Century Church