Featured Stories
Who Dare the Hoodoo Lady: Julia Brown
In Acadiana’s St. John parish, Julia Brown was a Hoodoo priestesses lived in a very small town called Frenier surrounded by Manchac Swamp. “In the town Julia was known for her charms and her curses,…
Yellow Bowl Restaurant: I'm on a seafood diet!
After being open for ninety-five years, the Yellow Bowl continues its story by serving up the best Cajun food found in Jeanerette using local ingredients and original recipes dating back to 1953.
A Survey of Success: The Fenstermaker Story
C. H. Fenstermaker & Associates, L.L.C., started in the back bedroom of Charles Howard Fenstermaker's family home at 317 Allen Street, New Iberia.
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Historic Businesses of Acadiana: Past and Present
20 Locations ~ Curated by Students at UL LafayetteHighlighting historic businesses is crucial because they embody resilience and innovation, offering inspirational stories that demonstrate how they’ve weathered challenges over time. These businesses are more than just economic entities; they become integral to the community's identity, often shaping local culture and traditions. By preserving and sharing their legacies, we honor their contributions and provide valuable lessons for future generations, reinforcing the importance of longevity and…
The Civil War in Acadiana
5 Locations ~ Curated by Gordon EatleyIt is 1860, and Abraham Lincoln was Just elected, the first Republican to win the White House. The Southern States had threatened secession if the Republicans won, and by the time Lincoln was inaugurated on March 4, 1861, seven states had left the union. [1]
South Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia, and Texas formally declared that the threat to Slaveholders' rights was the cause of their departure, and Georgia cited unfair general Northern economic policy toward the southern states. Louisiana…
Priests and Pirogues: A History of the Catholic Church in Acadiana
15 Locations ~ Curated by Sophia Verret, Nick DeLucia, Briley HigginbothamAt the top of the list of sites to visit in South Louisiana are its historic churches. There are several religions practiced in South Louisiana today, such as Judaism, Islam, various forms of Christianity, and more; Catholicism, however, is particularly prevalent in Acadiana because of the religion’s deep roots in Louisiana and Acadian history. Yet Catholicism was firmly established in the colony long before the Acadians or even the earliest European settlers arrived in Louisiana. In fact, the…
Bush Tracks: Acadiana's Unsanctioned Horse Racing Past Revealed
4 Locations ~ Curated by Laura HughesFor over a hundred years the unsanctioned bush tracks of Acadiana drew horse racing fans from near and far. Today it is easy to drive by the locations, which exhibit none of the equine excitement that once flourished at places like Tee Maurice, Cajun Downs, Broussard Downs, Linzay Downs, Carencro Raceway, the Quarter Pole.
Louisiana's Designated Memorial Highways and Roadways
33 Locations ~ Curated by The Acadiana Historical TeamEmbark on a journey through Louisiana’s history with a tour of the state’s designated memorial roadways. These roads honor the people and events that have shaped our communities, from leaders and veterans to cultural icons and pivotal historical moments. Unfortunately, many of these stories remain untold. Our project seeks to change that by shedding light on the achievements, service, and sacrifices recognized through the state’s roadway naming program. By exploring these memorials, we aim to…
About
Acadiana Historical
A project by Robert CarrikerAcadiana Historical is a platform for students of history and historians who reside in Acadiana to interpret and curate the history around them; whether that history is in Louisiana or farther afield.
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