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EspañolOPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA
(Redirected from Opelousas)
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.
[1]
[2]
The population was 22,860 at the 2000 census. The 2006 population estimate is 23,222. Opelousas is part of the Opelousas-Eunice Micropolitan Statistical area, which had an estimated population of 91,528 in 2006 and is the 3rd largest city in the Lafayette-Acadiana Combined Statistical Area, which has a population of 537,947.
Opelousas is a center of zydeco music and is home to the Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino.
The name Opélousas has been given many meanings, but the long accepted one is "Black leg." Some people think that members of the tribe painted their legs a dark color. One theory is that the Opelousas' legs were stained as they waded in stagnant waters to hunt and fish. Simon le Page Du Prat, who lived in Louisiana from 1718 to 1734, eight years of which he spent living among the Indians, said the Opelousas lived just west of two small lakes, thought to be "Leonard Swamp," east of Opelousas. This was the westernmost channel of the Mississippi River in prehistoric times. The waters of the lake were black because of the great number of leaves covering the bottom. More recently, Hugh Singleton, a student of the Attakapas language, has advanced the theory that the name comes from the Attakapas words Ap (at this place) and Elush (it is very hot). Singleton says he thinks that early Spaniards visiting the area changed the spelling of the name from Ap Elush to Opelus and then named the people who lived there Opelusas, without the "o." Next came the French, who added the "o" to create the spelling Opélousas. [3]
Opelousas claims to be Louisiana's third oldest city, because the present city began to develop as early as 1720, when French ''coureurs de bois'' (trappers and hunters) began to come to the area. Right on their heels were French missionaries who traveled into the region to evangelize the Indians and pray over the coureurs de bois, who were not the most faithful of men. [4] As early as 1690, French traders were in the area to trade with the Opélousas Indians. In 1719, the French established the first military presence in the area, when Ensign Nicolas Chauvin de la Frénière and two others were sent to patrol the area. 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 settled along the banks of the bayous in the area.[5]
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. 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,[6] and in 1805 became the seat of the newly formed St. Landry Parish, also known as the Imperial Parish of Louisiana.
The year 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.[7]
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. 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. In 1880, the railroad reached Opelousas, giving the city an opportunity to grow.
Opélousas became a haven for refugees in May 1927, when heavy rains in northern and midwestern areas caused intense flooding in areas downstream, especially after levées 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.[8]
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.[9] 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.
The Yambilee Festival is held each year in Opelousas
Opelousas is also home to Opelousas Catholic School.This school was formed 35 years ago when the Academy of the Immaculate Conception (AIC) and Holy Ghost merged. The city takes great pride in this school.
Opelousas is located at (30.528183, -92.084406) and has an elevation of .
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.
As of the census 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.
The primary industries in Opelousas are agriculture, oil, manufacturing, wholesale, and retail. 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.
★ Clifton Chenier, legendary zydeco musician
★ 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.
★ 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.
★ Devery Henderson, the New Orleans Saints wide receiver is from Opelousas.
1.
"Opelousas, Louisiana (LA) Detailed Profile" (notes),
''City Data'', 2007, webpage:
C-Opelo.
2.
"Census 2000 Data for the State of Louisiana" (town list),
US Census Bureau, May 2003, webpage:
C2000-LA.
3. carencrohighschool.org
4. carencrohighschool.org
5. Opelousas
6. Opelousas and St. Landry Parish
7. Opelousas Facts and History
8. 1927 High Water in St. Landry Parish
9. Opelousas Festivals
★ City of Opelousas
★ Opelousas and St. Landry Parish
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.
[1]
[2]
The population was 22,860 at the 2000 census. The 2006 population estimate is 23,222. Opelousas is part of the Opelousas-Eunice Micropolitan Statistical area, which had an estimated population of 91,528 in 2006 and is the 3rd largest city in the Lafayette-Acadiana Combined Statistical Area, which has a population of 537,947.
Opelousas is a center of zydeco music and is home to the Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino.
| Contents |
| History |
| Geography |
| Demographics |
| Economy |
| People |
| References |
| External links |
History
The name Opélousas has been given many meanings, but the long accepted one is "Black leg." Some people think that members of the tribe painted their legs a dark color. One theory is that the Opelousas' legs were stained as they waded in stagnant waters to hunt and fish. Simon le Page Du Prat, who lived in Louisiana from 1718 to 1734, eight years of which he spent living among the Indians, said the Opelousas lived just west of two small lakes, thought to be "Leonard Swamp," east of Opelousas. This was the westernmost channel of the Mississippi River in prehistoric times. The waters of the lake were black because of the great number of leaves covering the bottom. More recently, Hugh Singleton, a student of the Attakapas language, has advanced the theory that the name comes from the Attakapas words Ap (at this place) and Elush (it is very hot). Singleton says he thinks that early Spaniards visiting the area changed the spelling of the name from Ap Elush to Opelus and then named the people who lived there Opelusas, without the "o." Next came the French, who added the "o" to create the spelling Opélousas. [3]
Opelousas claims to be Louisiana's third oldest city, because the present city began to develop as early as 1720, when French ''coureurs de bois'' (trappers and hunters) began to come to the area. Right on their heels were French missionaries who traveled into the region to evangelize the Indians and pray over the coureurs de bois, who were not the most faithful of men. [4] As early as 1690, French traders were in the area to trade with the Opélousas Indians. In 1719, the French established the first military presence in the area, when Ensign Nicolas Chauvin de la Frénière and two others were sent to patrol the area. 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 settled along the banks of the bayous in the area.[5]
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. 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,[6] and in 1805 became the seat of the newly formed St. Landry Parish, also known as the Imperial Parish of Louisiana.
The year 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.[7]
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. 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. In 1880, the railroad reached Opelousas, giving the city an opportunity to grow.
Opélousas became a haven for refugees in May 1927, when heavy rains in northern and midwestern areas caused intense flooding in areas downstream, especially after levées 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.[8]
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.[9] 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.
The Yambilee Festival is held each year in Opelousas
Opelousas is also home to Opelousas Catholic School.This school was formed 35 years ago when the Academy of the Immaculate Conception (AIC) and Holy Ghost merged. The city takes great pride in this school.
Geography
Opelousas is located at (30.528183, -92.084406) and has an elevation of .
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 census 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. 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.
People
★ Clifton Chenier, legendary zydeco musician
★ 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.
★ 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.
★ Devery Henderson, the New Orleans Saints wide receiver is from Opelousas.
References
1.
"Opelousas, Louisiana (LA) Detailed Profile" (notes),
''City Data'', 2007, webpage:
C-Opelo.
2.
"Census 2000 Data for the State of Louisiana" (town list),
US Census Bureau, May 2003, webpage:
C2000-LA.
3. carencrohighschool.org
4. carencrohighschool.org
5. Opelousas
6. Opelousas and St. Landry Parish
7. Opelousas Facts and History
8. 1927 High Water in St. Landry Parish
9. Opelousas Festivals
External links
★ City of Opelousas
★ Opelousas and St. Landry Parish
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