Opelousas in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Opelousas Firsts and Famous/ Hall of Fame

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, May 16, 2019

1. Opelousas Firsts and Famous/ Hall of Fame Marker

First and Famous

Inscription.
Opelousas First and Famous

Birthplace Of Zydeco Music
Birthplace Of Swamp Pop Music
First Protestant (Methodist) Church In Louisiana & Oldest Methodist Church West Of The Mississippi - 1806
First Masonic Temple West Of The Mississippi- Humble Cottage Lodge No. 19 - 1820
Capital of Louisiana During The Civil War From 1862 To 1863
First African-American From Louisiana To Serve In Congress - Charles E. Nash - 1875 To 1877
Largest African-American Catholic Parish In The U.S. - Holy Ghost Catholic Church
First Daily Newspaper In The World To Use Offset Printing- The Daily World - 1939
Yambilee Festival - Celebrating The Yam Capitol Of The World
Slim's Y-ki-ki, World Famous Zydeco Dance Hall- Established 1959
First African American To Hold Elective Office In The American Psychiatric Association Dr. Charles Prudhomme-Vice President- 1970 to 1971
Annual Zydeco Music Festival- Every Labor Day Week-End
Home Of The International Cajun Joke Telling Contest- Held Every April.

Hall of Fame

The Following People Have Called Opelousas Home:

Rod Bernard - Swamp Pop Musician
Jim Bowie - Hero Of Alamo And Inventor Of Bowie Knife
John Ed Bradley - Contemporary Fiction Writer
Hadley Castille Cajun Musician/Fiddler
Tony Chachere - Chef And Creator Of Famous Creole Seasoning
Clifton Chenier Accordionist And King Of Zydeco
Cleveland Chenier - Zydeco Musician
Gov. Jacques Dupre - Served From 1830 To 1831
James A. Joseph - U.S. Ambassador To South Africa And Author
Rodney Milburn - Olympic Gold Medalist In Hurdles- 1972
Enola Prudhomme - Chef And Cookbook Author
Paul Prudhomme - Internationally Renowned Chef
Rockin' Sidney Simien - Zydeco Musician

Topics.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers • Sports • War, US Civil.

Location. 30° 31.887′ N, 92° 4.44′ W. Marker is in Opelousas, Louisiana, in St. Landry Parish. It is on East Landry (U.S. 190) south of Campus Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 828 East Landry, 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

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, May 16, 2019

2. Opelousas Firsts and Famous/ Hall of Fame Marker

Opelousas Hall of Fame

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Acadian House / Pigeoneer (here, next to this marker); Le Vieux Village (here, next to this marker); J.S. Clark High School (a few steps from this marker); Preston "Sweet" Fontenot (a few steps from this marker); Rosa B. Scott (Anderson) (a few steps from this marker); Rodney Milburn (a few steps from this marker); Venus House (within shouting distance of this marker); Doctor's Office (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Opelousas.

More about this marker. Located on the grounds of Le Vieux Village Historical Park & Heritage Museum at the eastern entrance of Opelousas along U.S. Highway 190.

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, May 16, 2019

3. Opelousas Firsts and Famous/ Hall of Fame Marker

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, May 16, 2019

4. Opelousas Firsts and Famous/ Hall of Fame Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2019, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 1,278 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 19, 2019, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 19, 2019.