History & Culture

Grand Coteau

National Register of Historic Places

Grand Coteau National Historic District Within the district are over seventy properties of architectural or historic significance. Creole, French, Acadian, Anglo-American, and Victorian styles are present in the many historic homes, commercial buildings, and religious institutions. The District is one of the few primarily rural ones in the United States. Listed in 1980.

Academy of the Sacred Heart (circa 1821) - 1821 Academy Road Situated on property donated by Mrs. Charles Smith, the Academy is the second oldest institute of higher learning for women west of the Mississippi River. Listed in 1975.

Grand Coteau Historic District Within the district are 74 structures of cultural and architectural importance, including what is believed to be the largest concentration of Acadian-style houses in Louisiana. Listed in 1980.

Frozard Plantation (circa 1845) – 307 Frozard Road Listed in 1982; now a bed and breakfast.

Burleigh House (circa early 1800's) - Burleigh Lane Built by the Burleighs, early settlers who once held an extensive land grant first recorded in 1789; now a private residence. Listed in 1982.

Grand Coteau National Historic District
(Note: The following are some of the more notable properties in the District.)

St. Charles Borromeo Church and Cemetery (circa 1879; Parish established 1819) - Church Street Property donated by Charles Smith in 1819. Church designed by New Orleans architect, James Freret. Church tower is from the Renaissance Revival period.

Our Lady of the Oaks Retreat House (c. 1938) - Church Street Spanish-style architecture. Operated by Jesuit priests.

St. Charles College (circa 1909, established 1837) - 313 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Property deeded by Mrs. Charles Smith in 1821. Originally, the site of the first Jesuit college in the South; now a Jesuit Novitiate and Spirituality Center. The grounds are extensive and beautifully landscaped. They include the dairy barn, another Grand Coteau landmark.

Millard House (circa late-19th century) - Church Street Queen Anne architecture; now a private residence.

Dunbar House (circa mid-19th century) - Church Street Built by Henri Dunbar, a druggist; now vacant.

Foraz Home (circa 1867) - 145 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Combination of architectural styles, including a "garconniere"; now a private residence.

Duffy House (circa 1850's) - Charles Street House for the Peter Duffy Plantation which he purchased in 1833; now a private residence.

Sanvald House (circa 1850) - Chatrain Street Built by Theophile Sanvald, a shoemaker; now a private residence.

Brinkhaus House (circa 1850) - Chatrain Street Built by Herman Brinkhaus after his arrival from Prussia; now a private residence.

Brinkhaus Store (circa 1880) - Chatrain Street Originally a millinery store and cobbler shop; now vacant.

Pollingue House (circa 1845) - Chatrain Street Greek Revival cottage purchased by Maurice Pollingue in 1865; now a private residence.

Pollingue Store (circa mid-19th century) - Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Originally a general merchandise store; now the Mercantile.

The Red House (circa 1840) - Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Typical Acadian cottage with "garconniere"; now a private residence.

Other Places of Historic Significance

Barry House (circa 1850) - Church Street Raised cottage; now a private residence.

Samuel McPherson House (circa 1834) - Louisiana Highway 182 Two-story Greek Revival plantation house; now a private residence.

Boutin House (circa early 1800's) - Creole-style raised cottage situated on part of a land grant given to Joseph Boutin in 1776, the earliest recorded in the Grand Coteau area. (Note: Inaccessible by car.)

Olivier Store (circa 1910) - Frozard Road Former general merchandise store; now a warehouse.

Sunset

National Register of Historic Places

Chretien Point Plantation – Chretien Point Road (off Louisiana Highway 93) Antebellum plantation home in the French Creole, Federal, and Classical Revival styles. Listed in 1977. Now a bed and breakfast and open for tours.

Sunset High School – (c. 1926) – 223 Marie Street Listed in 1999.

Other Places of Historic Significance

Bank of Sunset and Trust Company (c. 1906) - 855 Napoleon Avenue "Biggest Little Bank in the World"; original building now used as Sunset Town Hall.

Romain Castille Home (c. 1902) - 145 Budd Street Victorian cottage; now a private residence and La Caboose Bed and Breakfast.

Romain Castille Store (c. late 1800's) - 130 Napoleon Avenue Former general merchandise and wholesale store; now a warehouse.

Victor Hugo Sibille House (c. 1880) - 115 Budd Street Home built by the first mayor of Sunset in Greek Revival style.

Julia Sibille Breaux House (c. 1898) - 138 Budd Street Queen Ann Revival style; built for his daughter by Victor Hugo Sibille.

Old School House (c. 1870) - behind Post Office Exceptional example of a country Creole cottage.

Hebert Richard House (c. 1900) - 939 Napoleon Avenue Mr. Richard was a major cotton broker.

Armand Castille House (c. 1899) - 1510 Napoleon Avenue Greek Revival style.

Joe Sibille House (c. early 1900's) - 155 MacArthur Street

Joe Castille House (c. early 1900's) - 263 Landry Street Victorian style.

Hypolite Miller House (c. early 1900's) - 232 Landry Street

Gaston Horaist House (c. 1890) - 138 Duffy Street Mr. Horaist was Sunset's first shipper of yams.

Sibille Cotton Gin and Feed Store - Anna Street Founded in 1845; later buildings now vacant and dilapidated.

Zion Travelers Baptist Church and Graveyard (established 1870) - Budd Street

Guidry House (c. 1790) - off SaSa Sibille Road Used by the Union troops during the Civil War as a field hospital; now a private residence.

Sweet Potato Shipping Office (c. 1904) Now relocated to 254 Budd Street and part of La Caboose Bed and Breakfast.

Opelousas

National Register of Historic Places

Opelousas National Historic District An area roughly bounded by Bellevue Street, Court Street, Landry Street, and Market Street. Listed in 1989.

St. Landry Catholic Church and Cemetery (circa 1908) – 900 North Union Street Romanesque-style church. Listed in 1982.

Labyche-Estorage House (circa 1827) – 427 North Market Street Build by French colonist Pierre Labyche, the house is one of Opelousas' most historic homes. Built with slave labor, it exemplifies a transition from the area's popular Creole architecture to Greek revival. Now the Estorage House Bed and Breakfast. Listed in 1982.

The Hebrard House (circa 1829) – 100 North Union Street This structure is a rare example of classic Federal architecture and is one of the oldest buildings in Opelousas. During restoration, it was discovered that the original brick structure was first built as an English-style tavern called the “Sign of the Boar's Head.” It was listed in 1995. Now the Opelousas Museum of Art.

Michael Prudhomme House (circa 1770 or 1810) – 1152 Prudhomme Circle French Creole plantation house that is also known as Ringrose. Listed in 1977.

Edward Benjamin Dubuisson House (circa 1920) – 437 North Court Street Colonial Revival home. Listed in 1997.

John “Chicot” Lewis House (circa early 1800's) – Creswell Road This Creole raised plantation home is also known as the Old Wyble House. It is an early example of Louisiana French Creole architecture. Listed in 1991.

Mouton House (circa 1848-1850) – 261 North Liberty Street Greek Revival – Italiante home that is also known as the Old Governor's Mansion. Listed in 1991.

Old Federal Building (circa 1896) – 162 South Court Street Former post office in the Romanesque architectural style. Listed in 1982.

Old Opelousas Market and City Hall (circa 1888) – Courthouse Square, Market and Bellevue Streets Classical Revival style (20th Century). Listed in 1987.

Ray Homestead (circa 1851) - 378 West Bellevue Street French Creole cottage. Listed in 1990.

St. Landry Lumber Company (circa 1888) – 215 North Railroad Avenue Queen Anne Revival commercial building. Listed in 1989.

Venus House (circa mid to late 1700's) – Le Vieux Village du Poste des Opelousas, 829 East Landry Street Built for a free woman of color, it is one of the oldest structures in Louisiana. French Creole architecture style. Listed in 1991.
Opelousas National Historic District
(Note: The following are some of the more notable structures in the District.)

St. Landry Parish Court House and Square (c. 1939) – 118 South Court Street Three-story Art Deco building with limestone faηade.

Union Bank and Trust (circa 1910) – Court and Bellevue Streets Neo-classical building.

Savoy Building (circa 1905) – 133 East Landry Street One story brick building featuring decorative bands of cast fleur-de-lis.

Shute's Building (circa 1924) – Court and East Landry Streets

Law Office (circa 1845) – 153 West Landry Street Greek Revival building.

Homer Mouton Law Office (circa 1840) – 163 West Landry Street
Other Places of Historic Significance

Holy Ghost Catholic Church (c. 1948) – 788 North Union Street Established in 1920, this is one of the largest African-American church parishes in the United States.

Mt. Olive Baptist Church – 227 West Church Street Established in 1871.

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church (circa 1946)– 124 Camille Street

First Baptist Church (circa 1883) – 326 West Bellevue Street

Comeaux House (circa 1853) – West Bellevue Street Built by Dr. James Ray.

Opelousas Area

National Register of Historic Places

Stephanie Plantation House (circa 1862) – Arnaudville Listed in 1998.

Robin House and Barn – 1616 Louisiana Highway 31 (near Arnaudville) French Creole cottage and barn. Listed in 1999.

Lamorandier-Prudhomme-Jackson House – Off of Louisiana Highway 167 (north of Opelousas) Greek Revival plantation house also known as Pine Grove. Listed in 1983.

Alexandre Fontenot Fils House – Off Louisiana Highway 93, Grand Prairie Raised French Creole plantation house. Listed in 1982.

Poiret Place – Grand Prairie Raised French Creole plantation house. Listed in 1983.

LaFleur House – 753 Louisiana Highway 748, Grand Prairie French Creole cottage also known as Maison LaFleur. Listed in 1998.

Homeplace (circa 1827) – Beggs French Creole cottage built by the Wykoff Family. Listed in 1980.

Other Places of Historic Significance

Lemelle House (circa late 1700's) – Louisiana Highway 103 Located between Leonville and Port Barre, this post-abode house is one of the oldest in St. Landry Parish. It was built by free men of color using cypress beams and plastered walls filled with mud and moss.

Old Acadian House – 1690 Louisiana Highway 31 Located between Arnaudville and Leonville.

Stonewood (circa 1900) – 4072 Louisiana Highway 182

St. John Regis Catholic Church (circa 1948) – Arnaudville Church parish founded in 1854.

St. Leo the Great Catholic Church (circa 1954) – Leonville

Old Bank Building – Ashton Street, Port Barre Now the Port Barre Public Library, Helen Abraham Memorial Branch.

Bayou Courtableau Bridge (circa 1937) – Port Barre

Washington

National Register of Historic Places

Washington National Historic District – The entire community. Eighty percent of the buildings in the Town of Washington have been identified as being of historic or architectural significance. Listed in 1978.

Dominique Lalanne Store and Residence – Bridge and Dejean Streets Dutch Colonial store and hotel. Also known as the Old Schmit Hotel and the Steamboat House. Listed in 1976.

Moundville Plantation House (circa 1827) – Louisiana Highway 103 Creole raised plantation house, also known as the Wartelle House. This home was built by Captain Pierre Wartelle who served with Napoleon. Listed in 1976.

Starvation Point (circa 1790) – Louisiana Highway 746 The architectural style of Starvation Point is Tidewater Virginia with a Louisiana roof. This style is unique in Louisiana. The plantation house is noted to be the oldest house in the community. Listed in 1980.

Macland House (circa 1842) – Louisiana Highway 10 Built by Dr. Louis Archibald Webb, this Greek Revival plantation home has massive, plastered brick columns. Now owned by the Thistlethwaite Planting Company. Listed in 1980.

Arlington Plantation (circa 1829) – 386 Arlington Road (off Louisiana Highway 103) Built by Major Amos Webb, this 8,000 square foot antebellum plantation home is one of the largest in the area. It sits on the Coteau Ridge overlooking the confluence of the Bayous Cocodrie, Boeuf, and Courtableau. Listed in 1982.

Homeplace (circa 1827) – Louisiana Highway 182, Beggs

Washington National Historic District (Note: The following are some of the more notable properties in the District.)

St. John's Episcopal Church (c. 1874) – Church Street

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (circa 1851) – Moundville and Gardner Streets

Steamboat Warehouse (c. 1819-1823) – 513 North Main Street Warehouse built to service the prosperous steamboat trade in the early 1800's. Notable are the forty-foot cypress beams and wooden pegs joining the rafters.

Des Hotels (circa early 1800's) – Washington Street Built by Jean Marie Lalamene. This two and one-half story, red-brick building still has its original cypress French doors.

House (c. 1850) – 603 South Main Street Two-story Acadian antebellum home.

Hinckley House (c. 1800) - 405 East Dejean Street Simple Louisiana cypress house that was originally owned by Asa Norton who owned a trading post in the community. It is constructed of cypress beams and molding joined by pegs and square nails. The plaster walls are bound with deer and cattle hair. Family graveyard dates back to 1803.

Wolff Banquet and Reception Hall (circa 1876) – Main Street

Camellia Cove (circa 1825) – 205 West Hill Street Built by Louis Buhot, one of the founders of Washington. Now a bed and breakfast with original antiques. Now Camellia Cove Bed and Breakfast.

Country House (circa 1903) – 608 East Carriere Street Built by Gerard Carriere, a river boat captain and former mayor of Washington. The house is in the Queen Anne Victorian style. The property includes the Inventor's Cottage and the Country House Art Gallery, a pre-Civil War carriage house that was also once a doctor's office. Now a bed and breakfast.

De la Morandiere (circa 1830) – St. John and Sittig Streets Two-story West Indies plantation-style home on a hill overlooking the Bayou Courtableau. Built by Etienne Robert De la Morandiere, a descendent of one of the first settlers of Poste des Opelousas. Now a bed and breakfast.

Magnolia Ridge Plantation (circa early 1800's) – 103 Dejean Street Built by Captain Louis Prescott, this plantation home used headquarters by both Union and Confederate forces during the Civil War.

Crawford House (circa 1850) – 410 East Carriere Street Now a bed and breakfast.

Nicholson House of History (circa early 1800's) – 303 Main Street

Maison Gabrielle (circa 1890) – 204 East Carriere Street Now a bed and breakfast.

Other Places of Historic Significance

Cedar Hill Cemetery – Vine and Wilkins Streets An collection of old and new graves among moss-hung cedar trees.

Old Church Landing Cemetery – Hill and Carron Streets

Old Washington School (circa 1938) – 210 Church Street Two-story, art deco, brick building with beveled glass front door.

Hebrew Rest – Vine Street

Krotz Springs Area

Merchants and Farmer's Bank (circa 1908) – 403 Church Street, Melville

St. John Catholic Church – First Street, Melville

Old Palmetto School Building – Budden Street, Palmetto

Budden's General Merchandise Store (circa 1934) – Louisiana Highway 10, Palmetto

Rayne

Other Places of Historic Significance

The Shrine of Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church (c. 1924) – 600 West Jefferson Davis Avenue

St. Joseph's Cemetery (circa 1872) – 401 South Adam Street

Old Warehouse (circa 1900) – 205 East Louisiana Avenue Now The Warehouse Restaurant and Loading Dock Bar.

Bernard-Bertrand Museum (circa 1917) – 1023 The Boulevard

Worthmore's 5-10-25 Cent Store – 100 West Louisiana Avenue

Mervin Kahn Building – Louisiana Avenue

Rayne Area

National Register of Historic Places

Lewis and Taylor Lumberyard Office – 8450 Roberts Cove Road Company headquarters building in the Stick/Eastlake style. Relocated from Rayne and listed in 1995.

Other Places of Historic Significance

St. Leo IV Catholic Church (circa 1885) – Louisiana Highway 98, Roberts Cove

Nicholas J. Zaunbrecher House (circa 1881) – Louisiana Highway 98, Roberts Cove Location of the first commercial rice farming operation in Louisiana. Prior to its commencement, farmers planted “Providence Rice” for home consumption.

Church Point

National Register of Historic Places

Le Vieux Presbytere (circa 1887) – 205 rue Iry Lejeune Early example of Anglo-American architecture with Stick/Eastlake and Italianate influences. The building has surrounding galleries and was built using the bousillage construction technique. The building was originally used as the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church. It was donated by the Diocese of Lafayette to the Town of Chuch Point and is currently under restoration. Listed in 1997.

Other Places of Historic Significance

Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church – 693 North Main Street

Old Railroad Depot Platform – Main Street Now Le Parc du Vieux Depot.

First United Methodist Church (circa 1923) – Plaquemine Street

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church (circa 1953) – 114 North Bienvenu Street

Crowley

National Register of Historic Places

Crowley National Historic District – Downtown The district is comprised of twenty-two blocks and includes over 200 structures of architectural or historic significance from the late 19th and early 20th century. It is one of the largest, most significant, and least adulterated historic districts in Louisiana. It was listed in 1982.

Colorado Southern Railroad Depot (c 1907 – North Avenue G and East Front Street. Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival style architecture. Listed in 1980.

Crowley National Historic District
(Note: The following are some of the more notable structures in the District.)
Acadia Parish Court House (circa 1951) – Court House Circle Three-story building in the Art Deco architectural style.

Grand Opera House (circa 1901) – 505 North Parkerson Avenue Built in 1901 by David E. Lyons. The opera house played host to such luminaries as Al Jolson, Jack Dempsey, Irene Dunn, and the infamous governor of Louisiana, Huey P. Long. The building is constructed of cypress, oak, and pine. The exterior was completed with brick and is adorned with many large arched windows. The opera house seated around 1,500 people, all of whom had a perfect view of the 80-foot wide by 50-foot deep stage. The Grand remained opened until the late 1930's when Mr. Lyons died. Now the Dixie True Value Hardware, but the old opera house is currently being restored.

St. Michael's Catholic Church (circa 1912) – 505 North Avenue F Brick, basilican building with side bell tower.

The Rice Theater (circa 1940) – 323 North Parkerson Avenue Two-story Art Deco building.

Acadia Theater (circa 1919) – 207 North Parkerson Avenue

The Carriage House (circa 1902) – 220 East Third Street Two-story carriage house in the English-Tudor style. Now the Carriage House Bed and Breakfast.

City Hall (circa 1931) – 428 North Avenue F Two-story Art Deco building.

Ford Motor Company Building (circa 1920) – 425 North Parkerson Avenue Three-story brick structure.

City Hall and Market (circa 1901) – 104 East Court Circle Two and one half story German Renaissance brick structure. Designed by Henry Walters, the architect for the Cotton Exchanges in New Orleans and Memphis, and the Union Depot in Atlanta.

City Hall Annex (circa 1901) – North Avenue F Former stable.

Old Egan Hotel (circa 1914) – 306 North Parkerson Avenue Three-story brick building with a gabled parapet.

W. W. Duson Building (circa 1901) Two-story brick structure with a very detailed parapet.

Old Post Office (circa 1914) – 124 East Third Street One-story brick and limestone building in the Renaissance Revival architectural style. Notable are the fluted Doric columns.

Bank of Acadia (circa 1902) – 301 North Parkerson Avenue Two-story brick and limestone building with a balustrade parapet and free-standing Doric columns.

First National Bank (circa 1920) – 126 North Parkerson Avenue A seven-story, early “skyscraper” built with brick and limestone. Notable are the large, double bronze doors and the freestanding Ionic columns.

Egan Building (circa 1902) – 316 North Parkerson Avenue Two-story brick building with a curving parapet in the center and eight arched bays.

Masonic Temple (circa 1902) – 538 Southeast Court Circle

Meyer Building (circa 1891) – 406 North Parkerson Avenue

Wells Fargo Building (circa 1903) – North Parkerson Avenue and First Street

Chappuis Building (circa 1897) – 532 East Circle Court Considered to be the oldest brick building in Crowley.

Davis House Hotel (circa 1887) – 113 West Third Street

Knodell-Gremillion Building (circa 1893) – 401 North Parkerson Avenue

Meyer Building (circa 1891) – 406 North Parkerson Avenue

Presbyterian Church (circa 1929) – 321 East Fourth Street

First United Methodist Church – 501 North Main Street

Eunice

National Register of Historic Places

Liberty Theater (circa 1924) – 200 West Park Avenue Old movie theater that has been restored and is now the Liberty Center. Listed in 1987.

Midland Branch Railroad Station (c. 1894) – 220 South C. C. Duson Drive Converted to the Eunice Museum in 1984. Listed in 1983.

Other Places of Historic Significance

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church (circa 1924) – 310 West Vine Street

Ardoin Building – 100 South Second Street The first Cajun dance hall in Eunice, Abe's Palace, was once located on the second floor of this building.

Old School House (circa 1930's) – 240 C. C. Duson Drive Former one-room schoolhouse that now houses the Cajun Music Hall of Fame.

Reed House (circa 1902) – 201 North Fourth Street Queen Anne style home.

Louis Wright Store – 114 South Second Street Founded in 1911, this store has been operated continuously by the same family for nearly ninety years.

Nick's on 2nd – 123 South Second Street Historic bar that originally opened in 1937.

Eunice Area

Mamou

Hotel Cazan (circa 1912) – 401 Sixth Street

Evangeline Bank and Trust Building

Old Mamou High School – Fifth Street Now Mamou Lower Elementary School

Ville Platte

National Register of Historic Places

Alexis LaTour House – 247 East Main Street French Creole cottage that is also known as the Guillory Homeplace. Listed in 1987.

Tate House – 1425 Cabot Road (Louisiana Highway 29) Early example of Louisiana French Creole architecture. Listed in 1998.

Other Places of Historic Significance

Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church (circa 1937) – 708 East Main Street Church Parish of Sacred Heart established in 1854.

Evangeline Parish Courthouse (circa 1912) – 200 Court Street

Evangeline Parish Public Library – 242 West Main Street

Evangeline Bank Building – 342 West Main Street Now City Hall.

J. H Perrodin (7-11-49) Building – 10 East Main Street Now Chris' Corner.

The Old Courthouse Cupola – 200 Court Street

Adraste Lafleur House – 215 East Main Street One of the older homes in Ville Platte.

Bank Note Building – Main Street

Ville Platte Area

Other Places of Historic Significance

Chicot State Park (circa 1930's) – Louisiana Highway 3042 One of Louisiana's oldest and largest state parks.

Belaire Cove Chapel (circa 1940) – Belaire Cove

Guillory House – Chataignier

Old Bank Building – Chataignier

Old Campbell Home – Veterans Memorial Highway, Pine Prairie

Old Cajun House with a garηoniθre – Louisiana Highway 103, Grand Prairie Buildings and Structures

Village Square and Gazebo – Pine Prairie

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church – Vine Street, Chataignier