Opelousas, Louisiana: Difference between revisions
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The [[Yambilee Festival]] is held each year in Opelousas |
The [[Yambilee Festival]] is held each year in Opelousas |
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Opelousas is also home to Opelousas Catholic School.This school was formed 150 years ago. The city takes great pride in this school. |
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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Revision as of 18:01, 5 April 2007
The city of Opelousas, situated at the juncture of Interstate 49 and US Highway 190, is the parish seat of St. Landry Parish, in the US state of Louisiana. The population was 22,860 at the 2000 census.
Opelousas is a center of Zydeco music.
History
Opelousas is considered to the third oldest city in Louisiana. As early as 1690 French traders were in the area to trade with the Opelousas Indians, whose name means "Blackleg" in English. In 1719 the French established the first military presence in the area, when Ensign Nicholas Chauvin de la Freniere and two others were sent to patrol the area.[1] Neither the French nor the Spanish, both of whom ruled the territory over the next fifty years, actively encouraged immigration to the area. Nevertheless, by 1769 about 100 families were living in Opelousas. Some of them were soldiers from Spain, Italy and Switzerland who had originally arrived as part of the Spanish military, while others had arrived from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Germany, and a large group of Acadian exiles had settles along the banks of the bayous in the area.[2]
To encourage settlement in the area, Governor O'Reilley issued a land ordinance to allow settlers in the frontier of the Opelousas area to acquire land grants.[1] The first official land grant was made to a settler in the Opelousas area in 1782. The area was acquired by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803,[3] and in 1805 became the seat of the newly formed St. Landry Parish, also known as the Imperial Parish of Louisiana.
1806 marked the beginning of significant construction in the area. The first courthouse was constructed in that year in the middle of the town. Later in the year the Louisiana Memorial United Methodist Church was founded, becoming the first Methodist church in Louisiana, and the first Protestant church in Louisiana. Five years later the first St. Landry Parish Police Jury met in Opelousas, keeping minutes in the two official languages of English and French.[1]
The city was officially incorporated in 1821, nine years after Louisiana joined the United States. After |Baton Rouge fell to the Union troops during the Civil War in 1862, Opelousas became the state capital for nine months. The capital was moved again in 1863, this time to Shreveport when Union troops occupied Opelousas.[3][1] Reconstruction was not kind to the area, and in 1868 between 25 and 50 blacks were killed in town when residents rioted against the conditions. This has been cited as one of the worst examples of Reconstruction violence in south Louisiana.[1] In 1880, the railroad reached Opelousas, giving the city an opportunity to grow.[2]
Opelousas became a haven for refugees in May 1927, when heavy rains in northern and midwestern areas caused intense flooding in areas downstream, especially after levees near Moreauville, Cecilia and Melville collapsed. Over 81% of St. Landry Parish suffered some flooding, with 77% of the inhabitants affected. People in more southern areas of Louisiana, especially those communities along Bayour Teche, were forced to flee their homes for areas which suffered less damage. By May 20th, over 5700 refugees were registered as being in Opelousas, which at that time had a population of only 6000 people. Many of them were later able to return to their homes and begin the rebuilding process.[4]
Since 1982, Opelousas has hosted the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival. Usually held the Saturday before Labor Day, the festival features a day of performances by Zydeco musicians, with the goal of keeping the genre alive.[5] The exposure helped the city to be named the Zydeco Capital of the World on May 27, 2000, reflectings its significance in the history and continuing evolution of zydeco. Opelousas is the home of Clifton Chenier, the king of Zydeco.[3]
The Yambilee Festival is held each year in Opelousas
Opelousas is also home to Opelousas Catholic School.This school was formed 150 years ago. The city takes great pride in this school.
Geography
Opelousas is located at 30°31′41″N 92°5′4″W / 30.52806°N 92.08444°WInvalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (30.528183, -92.084406)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.3 km² (7.1 mi²). 18.3 km² (7.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.14% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 22,860 people, 8,699 households, and 5,663 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,250.2/km² (3,240.0/mi²). There were 9,783 housing units at an average density of 535.0/km² (1,386.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 29.30% White, 69.12% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.88% of the population.
There were 8,699 households out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.7% were married couples living together, 26.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.3% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 84.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $14,717, and the median income for a family was $19,966. Males had a median income of $24,588 versus $17,104 for females. The per capita income for the city was $9,957. About 37.7% of families and 43.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 57.2% of those under age 18 and 32.0% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
The primary industries in Opelousas are agriculture, oil, manufacturing, wholesale, and retail.[2] In 2000, Wal-Mart opened a large distribution center just north of the city. Horse racing track Evangeline Downs relocated to Opelousas from its former home in Lafayette, Louisiana in 2003.[3]
People
Jim Bowie, legendary adventurer and hero of the Alamo, lived in Opelousas for a time. His first marriage is recorded in the archives of the St. Landry Catholic Church.[3]
Opelousas is the native town of 1972 Olympic champion Rodney Milburn. Author John Ed Bradley grew up in Opelousas.
Chef Paul Prudhomme was raised on a farm near Opelousas. Chef Tony Chachere was born in Opelousas where the Chachere family still owns and operates Tony Chachere's Creole Foods.
Judge Benjamin Pavy, father-in-law of Carl Weiss, the young doctor who allegedly killed U.S. Senator Huey Pierce Long, Jr., was from Opelousas. Another famous judge from Opelousas was Louisiana Chief Justice Albert Tate, Jr., who later served on the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, based in New Orleans.
References
- ^ a b c d e "Opelousas Facts and History". City of Opelousas. Retrieved 2007-03-19.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b c "Opelousas". St Landry Parish Tourist Commission. Retrieved 2007-03-19.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b c d e "Opelousas and St. Landry Parish". Louisiana State University - Eunice. Retrieved 2007-03-19.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Speyrer, John A. "1927 High Water in St. Landry Parish". Speyrer Family Association Newsletter. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Opelousas Festivals". City of Opelousas. Retrieved 2007-03-19.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help)
