On West Main Street east of Springwater Drive, on the right when traveling east.
The Old Spanish Trail Highway was the first
transcontinental highway across the
southern states and was approximately 2,750
miles long.
The highway connected
segments of the oldest roads and trails
across the country, many of them . . . — — Map (db m236656) HM
On South Main Street at South Bernard Road, on the right when traveling east on South Main Street.
The City of Broussard is located in Lafayette and St Martin Parishes. French trappers and
Native Americans lived in the area, but permanent settlement did not start until around
1765. Around this time is when exiled Acadians first arrived in the . . . — — Map (db m237064) HM
On West Main Street, on the right when traveling west.
Dedicated August 25, 1909, by Fr. Arthur Drossaerts, Pastor of Sacred Heart church in Broussard, and opened on September 15, 1909 with an enrollment of seventy students. Accredited as an elementary and secondary school by the State Department of . . . — — Map (db m49294) HM
On West Main Street at South Bernard Road, on the right when traveling east on West Main Street.
Founder of the little town of Broussardville (December 13, 1856) and postmaster of Côte Gelée (June 1866-July 1867).
On July 24, 1874, he
was appointed first postmaster of Broussard, as Côte Gelée was renamed
in the records of the Post Office . . . — — Map (db m236767) HM
On West Main Street at North Morgan Street, on the right when traveling west on West Main Street.
Here Valsin Broussard, founder of what is now the City
of Broussard, established his family home ca. 1876.
This two-story, gallery-fronted, Anglo-American
and French-style home housed the Broussard family
for generations. It served its . . . — — Map (db m237095) HM
One of the earliest schools
for African-American children
in this rural area
staffed by
Blessed Mother Katharine Drexel's
Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament — — Map (db m236354) HM
• Southwestern Louisiana Industrial
Institute was established July 14, 1898.
State Senator Robert Martin, for
whom the administrative building is
named, authored the legislative act
that created SLII. •
In 1899, the Board of Trustees . . . — — Map (db m227412) HM
• Dr. Edwin L. Stephens, first president of
SLII, planted oak trees on campus on
January 1, 1901. •
The first campus building, known initially
as the Main Building, was completed in June
1901. •
SLII opened on September 18, 1901, with
100 . . . — — Map (db m227415) HM
• The first L'Acadien yearbook was published
in 1912.
• In 1916, SLII became a senior high school
and junior college. •
The Institute's Students Army Training
Corps began in 1918. •
Influenza epidemic closes campus for . . . — — Map (db m227416) HM
•In 1920, the Main Building was renamed
Martin Hall in honor of Louisiana Sen Robert.
Martin, who introduced legislation that created
SLII •
1920 enrollment 280-number of
faculty 26. •
In 1921, SLII became a college and
conferred its first . . . — — Map (db m227419) HM
• 1930 enrollment 918-number of
faculty 58.
• The first Camellia Pageant was held in
1934.
• Dr. Edwin Stephens, first president of
Southwestern Louisiana Institute, retired in
January 1938. He died on November 5, 1938. •
Lether E . . . — — Map (db m229010) HM
• 1940 enrollment 2,345-number of faculty 109. •
In January 1941, Joel Lafayette Fletcher became
the third president of SLI. •
By the end of 1941, SLI had either won or tied for
Louisiana Intercollegiate Conference championships
in . . . — — Map (db m229011) HM
• 1950 enrollment 2,556 - number of
faculty 193. •
In 1954, SLI became the first all-white, state
supported public college in the South to enroll
a black student. It was permanently integrated
in 1956. The first African-American Graduate
was . . . — — Map (db m237097) HM
• SLI became The University of Southwestern
Louisiana on July 27, 1960, •
1960 enrollment 4910-number of
faculty 315. •
USL adopted the nickname "Ragin' Cajuns"
for its athletic teams. •
President Joel L. Fletcher Resigned in
October . . . — — Map (db m237101) HM
• 1970 enrollment 10,275-number of
faculty 539. •
Student Union opened in 1970 and Cajun
Field opened in 1971. •
Clyde R. Rougeou took a one-year leave
of absence in 1973, to be followed by
retirement. •
Ray P. Autherment was named . . . — — Map (db m237205) HM
• 1980 enrollment 13,865 - number of
faculty 565. •
USL began developing University Research
Park. •
University officials helped Acadiana diversify
its economy after the once dominate oil
industry virtually collapsed due to a decline
in . . . — — Map (db m237206) HM
On East Congress Street at Polk Street, on the left when traveling north on East Congress Street.
Main Panel
The two beams, retrieved from Ground Zero in New York City, are actual beams that were part of the World Trade Center. Standing side by side the beams represent the World Trade Center North and South Towers and are oriented as . . . — — Map (db m209464) WM
Near Fisher Road near Surrey Street (State Highway 728-8).
ACADIAN HOUSE:
A Small Cajun Plantation Building
This small Cajun structure dates from the 1830s, and originated on the Mouton Plantation near
Carencro, north of Lafayette. The plantation was owned by Francois and Antoine . . . — — Map (db m135319) HM
Near Girard Park Circle south of East St. Mary Boulevard, on the right when traveling south.
Amédé Ardoin 1898-1942 Dennis McGee 1893-1989 Proud of his singing, accordionist Amédé Ardoin always carried a lemon in his pocket
to keep his voice strong, clear, and true. Among the first Louisiana Creole musicians
to have a professional . . . — — Map (db m238474) HM
Attkapas Chapel: The Church in a Catholic Region This chapel is a reproduction based on St. Francis Catholic Church in Point Coupee (1760) and St
Martin de Tours Catholic Church in St. Martinville (1773). Both churches had a double pitch . . . — — Map (db m130028) HM
On West Pinhook Road at La Rue France, on the right when traveling north on West Pinhook Road.
Battle of Pinhook Bridge April 17, 1863. Battle of Bayou Vermilion October 9, 1863. We honor the memory of those soldiers who valiantly fought on these banks. — — Map (db m49059) HM
Near Fisher Road near Surrey Street (Highway 728-8).
THE BAYOU VERMILION DISTRICT The historic village at Vermilionville is administered by the Lafayette Parish Bayou Vermilion District (LPBVD). The Louisiana state legislature created the district in 1984 in an effort to improve the quality of . . . — — Map (db m136617) HM
La Maison Beau Bassin
BEAU BASSIN HOUSE:
Honoring a Lost Home in Acadian Canada
The Beau Bassin House was originally built in the 1840s by Louis Arceneaux, a Cajun rancher who lived between Carencro and Lafayette. The . . . — — Map (db m131270) HM
On Fisher Road west of Surrey Street (Highway 728-8), on the right when traveling east.
Beaver Park was developed by the Beaver Club on land leased by the Playground and Park Commission in April 1959.
The Beaver Club is an organization of business and professional men dedicated to the ideals of public service.
In addition to . . . — — Map (db m137224) HM
Near Fisher Road near Surrey Street (State Highway 728-8).
MAISON BOUCVALT:
An Urban Dwelling from the late 1800s
This house was
was built in the late 1800s as an
located originally in downtown Opelousas, and
urban dwelling. Named after the last owner of the house Dr. Roy . . . — — Map (db m135042) HM
Near Fisher Road near Surrey Street (State Road 728-8).
BROUSSARD HOUSE: A Large Acadian Plantation Home La Maison Broussard dates to 1790, and is the oldest building in Vermilionville. It was the home of Armand Broussard, who immigrated to Louisiana as a child from Acadian Canada. . . . — — Map (db m136621) HM
Near Fisher Road near Surrey Street (State Road 728-8).
Buller House: A Creole Style House This Creole style house was built in 1807 on land acquired by Joseph Buller near Prairie Ronde in St. Landry Parish. It contains several characteristics of the Creole architectural . . . — — Map (db m136627) HM
On St. John Street, on the right when traveling south.
Established in 1846. A combination of Mount Carmel Academy and Cathedral School. Operated by The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Parish in the Diocese of Lafayette. Affiliated with the Sisters of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and the De La Salle . . . — — Map (db m49062) HM
This is a ¼ scale model of a parabolic trough Concentrating Solar
Power (CSP) collector. CSP collectors like this gather solar energy by
using mirrors or lenses to focus the energy of roughly 100 suns on the
receiver tube, which then becomes . . . — — Map (db m238493) HM
Near Fisher Road near Surrey Street (State Road 428-8).
HOUSE OF CULTURES: Reflecting the Crossroads of Cultures The history of this house reflects the diverse groups of people that inhabit the region. The Coussan family of French immigrants built this house around 1850 in the Pont . . . — — Map (db m134977) HM
On Johnston Street (U.S. 167) at East University Avenue (Business U.S. 90), on the left when traveling south on Johnston Street.
Following its establishment in 1898, Dr. Edwin Lewis Stephens became the University's first president in 1900 at the age of 27. He transformed an empty sugar cane field into a respected institution of higher learning. On January 1, 1901, he planted . . . — — Map (db m111638) HM
On Rex Street south of East St. Mary Boulevard, on the left when traveling south.
Eddy Knight opened Knight Specialties in 1972, originally
using his vehicle as an office and his family's garage and
backyard for inventory storage. Later, Eddy opened
Knight's first official stock point in Morgan City,
Louisiana. Eddy . . . — — Map (db m238475) HM
On Marie Antoinette Street west of Johnston Street (U.S. 167), on the left when traveling west.
In April 1955, Emmanuel Baptist Church held its first meetings, thus becoming the earliest Southern Baptist Church to minister to Lafayette's southside neighborhoods. — — Map (db m114490) HM
This otherwise flat region, sloping, hill-like formations are visible and represent the Mississippi River escarpment (bluff-like shelf) that divides this area into floodplain and prairie. The Vermilion River flows at the base of this . . . — — Map (db m114785) HM
On University Avenue near Azalea Street, on the right when traveling south.
1829-1864. Confederate brigadier general from Lafayette who served in Shiloh, Lafourche, Teche, and Red River campaigns. Killed at Mansfield, leading Confederacy to its most important military victory west of the Mississippi. — — Map (db m49063) HM
On St Landry Street at West University Avenue (Business U.S. 90), on the right when traveling west on St Landry Street.
Sculpture by Charles Correia. Cast by Shidoni Foundry. Erected by the Lafayette Centennial Commission on July 2, 1987 as a gift to the people of Lafayette, Louisiana following the celebration of the centennial of the city's name change in 1884 from . . . — — Map (db m68722) HM
On Jefferson Street at East Vermilion Street, on the left when traveling south on Jefferson Street.
On this site in the year of 1904 the first hotel was opened in Lafayette as the Gordon Hotel. It was housed in this building and operated as a hotel through the 1950's.
This building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. . . . — — Map (db m91821) HM
The historic Cajun Prairie encompassed over 2.5 million acres in Louisiana
and Texas, and supported a highly diverse community of plants, wildlife, and
pollinating insects. Decades of agricultural and industrial practices, urbanization,
and land . . . — — Map (db m238294) HM
Near Fisher Road near Surrey Street (State Road 728-8).
From where did the word "Cajun" come? The refugees from Acadian Canada, called themselves Acadians. Over time, the word transformed into more vernacular pronunciation Cajun Can you be Cajun if your family was NOT from . . . — — Map (db m135003) HM
On Carmel Drive (State Road 94) 0.3 miles east of Louisiana Avenue, on the left when traveling east.
On July 9, 1913, Father Keller purchased farm land once owned
by the sister of the King of
France, from Louis Domengeaux to
establish Holy Rosary Institute in Lafayette, Louisiana.
The Institute opened September 1913 as an industrial . . . — — Map (db m120896) HM
Lawyer, Louisiana Legislator
U.S. Congressman, Founder-President of CODOFIL
Legion d'honneur française, Ordre de la couronne belge
Preserve the language, and you preserve the culture.
This tree from the Durance Valley of the . . . — — Map (db m109227) HM
On Jefferson Street at Lee Avenue, on the left when traveling south on Jefferson Street.
Jean Jacques Alfred Mouton
Born in Opelousas La. February 18, 1829
Killed at the Battle of Mansfield La. April 8, 1864
when 35 years of age. — — Map (db m125494) HM WM
On Lafayette Street south of West Convent Street, on the right when traveling south.
Established 1954
by
Les Vingt-Quatre
Home of Louisiana's
first Democratic Governor
Alexandre Mouton (1804-1882)
Built prior to 1836
fondé en 1854
par
Les Vingt-Quatre
Résidence du Premier Gouverneur
Démocrate de la . . . — — Map (db m85870) HM
Near Fisher Road near Surrey Street (State Road 728-8).
GUIDE ROPE FERRY: Simple Technology for Traversing Bayous South Louisiana features numerous rivers and bayous that flow from north to south, making east-west travel difficult in the pre-modern age. Ferries were essential for . . . — — Map (db m134963) HM
The stadium that once stood near this site was named for Clement
James McNaspy. He was the school's first athletic director and coach,
in addition to his duties as a physics and chemistry professor. He was
known as the "Father of Southwestern . . . — — Map (db m238262) HM
Near Fisher Road near Surrey Street (State Road 728-8), on the right when traveling west.
Mouton House: The House of a Middle Class Acadian Family The Maison Mouton is a reconstruction of a standard sized dwelling with a detached kitchen, representing a home of a middle class family. Some Cajun families built up . . . — — Map (db m134961) HM
Near Fisher Road near Surrey Street (State Road 728-8).
MOUTON KITCHEN:
A Detached Kitchen before the Modern Age
This building is a reproduction of a typical kitchen built separately from the main residence to reduce
heat and the threat of fire. Pre-modern kitchens in rural . . . — — Map (db m135077) HM
Near East Pinhook Road at SW Evangeline Thruway (U.S. 90).
These centurion live oak trees shaded Ile Copal, the plantation home of Alexandre Mouton. Mouton was governor of Louisiana from 1843-46 and son of the founder of Vermilionville. Here marks the beginning of a shady lane of oaks planted by Emma K. . . . — — Map (db m125837) HM
On Acadiana Park near East Alexander Street, on the right when traveling north.
In 1776 Pierre Dugat received a Spanish land grant for this site, which became his plantation. Indian artifacts found on this site date from 3000 B.C. to about the eighteenth century. — — Map (db m114601) HM
On September 15, 1953, Clara Dell Constantine, Martha Jane Conway, Charles Vincent Singleton, and Shirley Taylor attempted to enroll at Southwestern Louisiana Institute, now known as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. They were denied, due to . . . — — Map (db m66243) HM
Near Fisher Road near Surrey Street (State Road 728-8).
School House: Banning of the French Language
L'école is a reproduction of a typical schoolhouse of the late 1800s. In southwest
Louisiana, French was the dominant language until the mid-1900s. Native Americans
along with . . . — — Map (db m135004) HM
On East Lewis Street west of Girard Park Circle, on the right when traveling west.
With a capacity of 650 kW thermal and 50 KW electrical, the START
Lab is the only CSP testing facility of its kind in the Southeast United
States. The facility was commissioned in December 2012 and occupies
a one acre field in Crowley,
LA. The . . . — — Map (db m238478) HM
Near St John Street north of West Main Street, on the left when traveling north.
The tree, one of the largest live oak trees in the United States, is estimated to be almost 500 years old. It was a large tree in 1800 when the property was donated to the Catholic Church. The age of the tree is based on the average sizes of known . . . — — Map (db m86194) HM
On St. John Street, on the left when traveling north.
First church in Lafayette Parish was "l'Eglise St. Jean du Vermilion." Built on a gift of this site by Jean Mouton, 1821. In 1824 he donated land for a court house and founded Vermilionville (Lafayette).
(Reverse) French: La Cathedrale . . . — — Map (db m49293) HM
Near Fisher Road near Surrey Street (State Road 728-8).
The Forge:
A Utilitarian Space for Hot Dirty Work This recreated building represents a blacksmith shop, which was essential to a working farm, vacherie (ranch), or plantation in rural southwestern Louisiana. The . . . — — Map (db m136628) HM
Near Fisher Road south of Surrey Street (State Road 728-8), on the right when traveling north.
THE PRESBYTERY:
A Simple Residence from the early 1800s
This small home represents the simple but functional structures in which priests could have lived in
the early 1800s. The building was originally located
property . . . — — Map (db m135886) HM
Near Fisher Road near Surrey Steet (State Highway 728-8).
TRAPPER'S CABIN: Harvesting the Natural Bounty of the Wetlands This replica of a structure is based on an outbuilding used for storage from the 1700s, and illustrates st a basic dwelling in which trappers and moss pickers in . . . — — Map (db m134624) HM
On Rex Street at East St. Mary Boulevard, on the right when traveling west on Rex Street.
After four black students successfully sued in federal court to gain admission, Southwestern
Louisiana Institute, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, became the first state-supported,
previously all-white undergraduate college in the . . . — — Map (db m224481) HM
On Rex Street at East St. Mary Boulevard on Rex Street.
This marker commemorates the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of Southwestern
Louisiana Institute and the 50th anniversary of Brown v. the Board of Education of Topeka,
Kansas, the landmark Supreme Court case that ultimately resulted in the . . . — — Map (db m224616) HM
On West Bayou Parkway at Bridgewater Road on West Bayou Parkway.
The Vermilion is a tidal river formed from the bottom up by Vermilion Bay tides and other natural actions that slowly eroded inland from the marshes and cheniers and through the Louisiana prairie. The Vermilion River, also known as Bayou . . . — — Map (db m114505) HM
On Fisher Road near Surrey Street (State Highway 728-B), on the right when traveling north.
During early settlement and into the Antebellum Period, the Vermilion was an important secondary waterway for steamboats carrying agricultural products to New Orleans, the east coast and, eventually the world.The Vermilion River, also known as . . . — — Map (db m114649) HM
Near Fisher Road near Surrey Street (State Road 728-8).
pre-1699 pre-1699: Ancestors of the Ishak (Atakapa) and Chitimacha people hunt bison, deer, bear and small game; harvest fish and shellfish. The Chitimacha's territory encompasses the entire Atchafalaya Basin, lands west . . . — — Map (db m136633) HM
Near Fisher Road near Surrey Street (State Road 728-8).
1775-1783 1775-1783: United States War of Independence. In support of the U.S., in 1779 the Spanish military captures British-held Baton Rouge, with the use of Native American, French, Spanish, and free persons of color . . . — — Map (db m136634) HM
Built: C. 1950
Architectural Style: Mid Century Modern
This property is mostly associated with the Joseph and Florida Petro
family who built this Mid Century Modern grocery store in the 1950s
after over 25 years of success in the grocery . . . — — Map (db m238264) HM
On Clinton Street south of Gordon Street, on the right when traveling south.
Architectural Style: Victorian Shingle/Eastlake
This house was built by Henri Bendel (1868-1936) for his beloved, long-
time housekeeper. Henri was well known for his generosity to employees,
family and friends. In addition to this house, he . . . — — Map (db m228252) HM
On East Convent Street south of Johnston Street (U.S. 167), on the left when traveling south.
Architectural Style: Creole Cottage This Creole Cottage was moved several blocks from its original
location, Downtown Lafayette at Vermilion and Jefferson
Streets, to make room for the Gordon Hotel. The house originally
belonged to the home of . . . — — Map (db m236666) HM
On East Main Street at Gordon Street on East Main Street.
Dr. Butler's Drug Store on Gordon Street was known as a place that
provided affordable health and comfort to the ill and large vanilla ice cream
cones to the youngsters. Dr. Butler's story represents a very special African
American success . . . — — Map (db m224617) HM
Built: c. 1910
Architectural Style: Prairie Queen Anne
For years, many residents fondly remembered their visits to Dr.
Butler's Drug Store on Gordon Street. It was known as a place
that provided affordable health and comfort to the ill as . . . — — Map (db m225687) HM
Built c 1880 Architectural Style - Modified French Creole Good Hope Hall was known originally as "True Friends Hall.
It was built by the True Friends Association in Freetown,
a settlement that offered sanctuary and compassion to
many . . . — — Map (db m225134) HM
On General Gardner Avenue east of General Mouton Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
Architectural Style: American Foursquare
This house is a stately, two-story, central-hall residence designed
In the American Foursquare style incorporating elements of
the Prairie School and Craftsman styles. The style was popular
In the U.S. . . . — — Map (db m236705) HM
On Stewart Street, 0.1 miles south of Gordon Street, on the left when traveling south.
Architectural Style: Vernacular Storefront
Martin's Hat Shop operated at this address in "Freetown" between
circa 1942 and 2008. The history of the business goes back to 1915,
when the hat shop was located at 115 W. Cypress Street, not far . . . — — Map (db m228408) HM
On Gordon Street west of Clinton Street, on the right.
Architectural Style: Vernacular Storefront
Pavy Studio was originally built as a residence and converted
to a retail shop sometime in the late 1940s. It is a good
example in terms of design, workmanship and materials, for
a neighborhood . . . — — Map (db m228288) HM
On Jefferson Street south of Johnston Street (U.S. 167), on the right when traveling south.
Architectural Style: Eclectic Revival & Craftsman
Joseph S. Petro, Sr. and Florida Dominique Petro built this
house after many years of success with their Freetown grocery
store and rental properties. They owned and operated their
grocery . . . — — Map (db m236704) HM
On Lamar Street near Garfield Street, in the median.
Oral tradition tells us the neighborhood originated with free people of
color who lived in this area prior to the Civil War. After emancipation,
newly freed slaves also settled in the community. Two subsequent
waves of activity further . . . — — Map (db m228409) HM
On Lions Club Road, 0.2 miles north of Roy Street, on the left when traveling north.
Lena McBride Weaver 1927-2017
Born on September 23, 1927 to Charles and Natalie McBride,
Lena was the third of five children. She grew up in an Acadian
house near what is now the Maison de Begnaud Visitor's center.
She attended school in . . . — — Map (db m236634) HM