La Chapelle House
circa 1840
The La Chapelle house stood at the corner of Union and Grolee streets in Opelousas for more that a century. Clerk of Court records indicate the home was built by Herbert La Chapelle, a French Canadian who moved to Opelousas where he purchased land on October 18, 1822. His daughter, Marguerite La Chapelle, sold the home January 31, 1846 to Jules Mistric.
The house was built by free people of color. The front part of the house has French doors and windows and a staircase called a garconniere in French. The garconniere is used to gain access to the attic, a place where the boys slept in these types of homes
From the 1800s to 1990, the home was owned by a succession of at least twelve families, including Bouvet, Husband, Pefferkorn and Perkins.
The house was used by the Opelousas Art League for several years. Eventually, the property was purchased by Dr. Van Christian, who later donated the house to the City of Opelousas. The Preservationists of St. Landry and the Opelousas Woman's Club provided funding for the structure to be moved to Le Vieux Village in 1991.
Erected by City of Opelousas, Louisiana.
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Location. 30° 31.903′ N, 92° 4.47′ W. Marker is in Opelousas, Louisiana, in St. Landry Parish. It is on East St. Landry Street (U.S. 190) east of South Academy Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 828 East St Landry Street, Opelousas LA 70570, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Louisiana’s Acadiana Cajun Country. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, Acadia, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sugar Kettle, c. 1800 (a few steps from this marker); 19th Century Outhouse, c. 1890
More about this marker. The City of Opelousas Tourist Information is located on the grounds of Le Vieux Village Historical Park & Heritage Museum at the eastern entrance of Opelousas along U.S. Highway 190.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2017, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 564 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 30, 2017.
