St. Landry Parish, Louisiana

St. Landry Parish (French: Paroisse de Saint-Landry) is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2010 census, the population was 83,384.[1] The parish seat is Opelousas.[2] The parish was created in 1807.[3]

Saint Landry Parish
Parish
Parish of St. Landry
St Landry Parish Courthouse at Opelousas during the Civil War
Location within the U.S. state of Louisiana
Louisiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 30°36′N 92°00′W
Country United States
State Louisiana
Founded1807
Named forSt. Landry Catholic Church
SeatOpelousas
Largest cityOpelousas
Area
 • Total939 sq mi (2,430 km2)
 • Land924 sq mi (2,390 km2)
 • Water15 sq mi (40 km2)  1.6%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total83,384
 • Estimate 
(2018)
82,764
 • Density89/sq mi (34/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts3rd, 4th, 5th
Websitestlandryparish.org

St. Landry Parish comprises the Opelousas, LA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Lafayette-Opelousas-Morgan City, LA Combined Statistical Area. It is at the heart of Creole and Cajun culture and heritage in Louisiana.

History

French and Spanish Territory

The land that became St. Landry Parish was inhabited since at least 10,500 B.C., as deduced from excavations of three prehistoric dwelling sites. By the 15th century, the Opelousa Indians settled in the area situated between Atchafalaya River and Sabine River (at the border of Texas-Louisiana). The Opelousa were war-like and preyed on neighbors to defend their own territory.

The first European recorded in the Opelousa territory was a French trader named Michel de Birotte. He came in 1690 and negotiated with the Opelousa nation.[4] Nine years later, France named Louisiana as a colony and defined the land occupied by the Opelousa as the Opelousas Territory. The area south of the Opelousas Territory between the Atchafalaya River, the Gulf of Mexico and Bayou Nezpique, occupied by the Attakapas Indians (Eastern Atakapa), was named Attakapas Territory.

In 1764 France established the Opelousas Post slightly north of the contemporary city of Opelousas.[5] It was a major trading organization for the developing area. In addition France established the Attakapas Post (near the present St Martinville) in the Attakapas Territory. France gave land grants to soldiers and settlers to encourage development. Most settlers were French immigrants. Tradition says that Jean Joseph LeKintrek and Joseph Blainpain, who had formed a partnership to trade with the Opelousa Indians, came in the early 1740s. They brought three enslaved Africans, the first to live in the area.

Some Indians sold land to the newcomers. When the Eastern Attakapas Chief Kinemo sold all the land between Vermilion River and Bayou Teche to Frenchman Gabriel Fuselier de la Claire in 1760, however, the angry Opelousa tribe exterminated the Attakapas (Eastern Atakapa).

France ceded Louisiana and its territories to Spain in 1762. Under Spanish rule, Opelousas Post became the center of government for Southwest Louisiana. By 1769 about 100 families were living in Opelousas Post. Between 1780 and 1820, the first settlers were joined by others coming from the Attakapas Territory, from the Pointe Coupée Territory, and east from the Atchafalaya River area. They were joined by immigrants from the French West Indies, who left after Haiti/St. Domingue became independent in a slave revolution. Most of the new settlers were French, Spaniards, French Creoles, Spanish Creoles, Africans and African-Americans.

The group from Attakapas Post included many Acadians. These were French who migrated from Nova Scotia in 1763, after their expulsion by the English in the aftermath of France's defeat in the Seven Years' War (known in North America as the French and Indian War). They were led by Jean-Jacques Blaise d'Abbadie. D'Abbadie was Governor of the territory from 1763 to 1765. The French community built St. Landry Catholic Church in 1767, dedicated to St. Landry (Landericus) of Paris, the Bishop of Paris in the 7th century.[6]

On April 10, 1805, after the United States had acquired the Louisiana Purchase, the post was named the town of Opelousas and became the seat of the County of Opelousas, part of the Territory of Orleans. In 1807, when the territory was reorganized into parishes, Opelousas was designated the seat of St. Landry Parish.[7]

Purchase by the United States

The United States gained control of the territory in 1803 through the Louisiana Purchase. Americans from the South and other parts of the United States began to migrate to the area, marking the arrival of the first large English-speaking population and the introduction of the need for more general use of English.[5]

St. Landry Parish was officially established on April 10, 1805 by a legislative act, becoming the largest parish in the Louisiana state. The new parish was named after the St. Landry Catholic Church located near the Opelousas Post.[5] The parish's boundaries encompassed about half the land of the Opelousas Territory, between the Atchafalaya River and Sabine River, between Rapides Parish and Vernon Parish, and Lafayette and St. Martin Parishes. Since then, the area of the parish has decreased, as six additional parishes have been created from its territory. These include Calcasieu, Acadia, Evangeline, Jeff Davis, Beauregard, and Allen.[5]

In 1821 the second educational institution west of the Mississippi was founded in Grand Coteau. In this community south of Opelousas is the Academy of the Sacred Heart, a private Catholic school founded by the French Creole community.[8]

The city of Opelousas has been the seat of government for the St. Landry Parish since its formation.[5] After Baton Rouge fell to the Union troops during the Civil War in 1862, Opelousas became the state capital for nine months. The capital was moved again in 1863, this time to Shreveport when Union troops occupied Opelousas.[9][10]

2019 black church fires

During 10 days, three black churches, the St. Mary Baptist Church over 100 years old (26 March 2019), Greater Union Baptist Church (2 April 2019), and Mount Pleasant Baptist Church (4 April 2019) set on fire by a vandal and this incident raised officials concern that the fires started by racist and radical group or person. Finally, police arrested the vandal who was the son of a St. Landry Parish sheriff's deputy. Holden Matthews, 21, has been charged with the arson attack on black churches.[11][12][13]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the parish has a total area of 939 square miles (2,430 km2), of which 924 square miles (2,390 km2) is land and 15 square miles (39 km2) (0.6%) is water.[14]

Adjacent parishes

National protected areas

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
183012,591—
184015,23321.0%
185022,25346.1%
186023,1043.8%
187025,55310.6%
188040,00456.6%
189040,2500.6%
190052,90631.4%
191066,66126.0%
192051,697−22.4%
193060,07416.2%
194071,48119.0%
195078,4769.8%
196081,4933.8%
197080,364−1.4%
198084,1284.7%
199080,331−4.5%
200087,7009.2%
201083,384−4.9%
2018 (est.)82,764[15]−0.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]
1790-1960[17] 1900-1990[18]
1990-2000[19] 2010-2013[1]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 83,384 people living in the parish. 55.9% were White, 41.3% Black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 0.8% of some other race and 1.3% of two or more races. 1.6% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race)

As of the census[20] of 2000, there were 87,700 people, 32,328 households, and 23,211 families living in the parish. The population density was 94 people per square mile (36/km2). There were 36,216 housing units at an average density of 39 per square mile (15/km2). The racial makeup of the parish was 56.51% White, 42.13% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 0.91% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 16.7% reported speaking French or Cajun French at home.[21]

There were 32,328 households, out of which 36.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.30% were married couples living together, 17.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 25.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the parish the population was spread out, with 29.50% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 21.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 91.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.80 males.

The median income for a household in the parish was $22,855, and the median income for a family was $28,908. Males had a median income of $29,458 versus $18,473 for females. The per capita income for the parish was $12,042. About 24.70% of families and 29.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.70% of those under age 18 and 27.50% of those age 65 or over.

National Guard

D Company 3-156TH Infantry Battalion resides in Opelousas. This unit, as part of 256TH IBCT, deployed twice to Iraq, in 2004-5 and 2010.

Education

St. Landry Parish is served by the St. Landry Parish School Board

  • East Elementary (Grades PK-4)
  • Eunice Elementary (Grades PK-4)
  • Highland Elementary (Grades PK-4)
  • Glendale Elementary (Grades PK-4)
  • Central Middle School (Grades 5-6)
  • Eunice Jr. High School (Grades 7-8)
  • Eunice High School (Grades 9-12)
  • Grolee Elementary (Grades PK-4)
  • Northeast Elementary (Grades PK-6)
  • Park Vista Elementary (Grades PK-6)
  • South Street Elementary (Grades PK-6)
  • Opelousas Jr. High School (Grades 7-8)
  • Opelousas Sr. High School (Grades 9-12)
  • Arnaudville Elementary (Grades 5-8)
  • Krotz Springs Elementary (Grades PK-8)
  • Leonville Elementary (Grades PK-8)
  • Port Barre Elementary (Grades PK-4)
  • Port Barre High School (Grades 9-12)
  • Sunset Elementary (Grades 5-8)
  • Washington Elementary (Grades PK-8)
  • Cankton Elementary (Grades PK-4) (Cankton)
  • Grand Coteau Elementary (Grades PK-4) (Grand Coteau)
  • Grand Prairie Elementary (Grades PK-4) (unincorporated Washington)
  • Lawtell Elementary (Grades PK-8) (Lawtell)
  • Palmetto Elementary (Grades PK-4) (Palmetto)
  • Plaisance Elementary (Grades 5-8) (unincorporated Opelousas)
  • Beau Chene High School (Grades 9-12) (unincorporated Arnaudville)
  • North Central High School (Grades 9-12) (unincorporated Washington)
  • Northwest High School (Grades 9-12) (unincorporated Opelousas)

St. Landry Parish is also served by the Diocese of Lafayette with five schools:

Additionally, St. Landry Parish is served by four unaffiliated private school:

  • Good Shephard Montessori School (Grades PK-8) (Port Barre)
  • Opelousas Family Worship School (Grades PK-12) (Opelousas)
  • Westminster Christian Academy (Grades PK-12)
  • Melville Private School (Grades PK-7) (Melville)

St. Landry Parish is served by one institution of higher education:

Communities
Map of St. Landry Parish, Louisiana With Municipal Labels

Cities

Towns

Villages

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated communities

Notable people

Politics
Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[22]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 56.3% 23,171 42.2% 17,372 1.5% 611
2016 55.0% 21,971 43.1% 17,209 2.0% 797
2012 51.6% 21,475 47.2% 19,668 1.2% 504
2008 51.0% 21,650 47.7% 20,268 1.4% 575
2004 49.8% 18,315 49.4% 18,166 0.8% 279
2000 45.2% 15,449 52.9% 18,067 1.9% 635
1996 34.6% 12,273 58.2% 20,636 7.2% 2,544
1992 32.3% 11,882 55.4% 20,383 12.4% 4,550
1988 44.5% 15,790 53.8% 19,091 1.6% 576
1984 51.2% 19,055 48.2% 17,950 0.6% 218
1980 45.7% 14,940 52.4% 17,125 1.9% 613
1976 37.9% 9,956 59.5% 15,613 2.6% 674
1972 57.0% 12,510 33.8% 7,421 9.2% 2,014
1968 13.9% 3,508 36.0% 9,075 50.2% 12,659
1964 48.1% 10,920 52.0% 11,807
1960 15.2% 3,083 72.2% 14,625 12.6% 2,554
1956 51.6% 5,141 44.5% 4,435 4.0% 394
1952 52.7% 5,303 47.3% 4,761
1948 10.7% 829 15.2% 1,179 74.1% 5,739
1944 15.1% 784 84.9% 4,423
1940 8.1% 561 91.9% 6,358
1936 7.3% 441 92.8% 5,639
1932 7.3% 297 92.7% 3,766
1928 17.5% 718 82.5% 3,394
1924 20.9% 357 79.1% 1,354
1920 48.1% 942 51.9% 1,017
1916 31.0% 117 36.9% 139 32.1% 121
1912 8.3% 101 77.2% 938 14.5% 176

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. "St. Landry Parish". Center for Cultural and Eco-Tourism. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
  4. Lastowka, Conor. (2011). Citation needed. [publisher not identified]. ISBN 9781466346987. OCLC 767587112.
  5. Hartley, Carola (2003). "Imperial St. Landry Parish". LAGenWeb. Archived from the original on 2007-09-21. Retrieved 2007-03-21.
  6. Central Acadiana Gateway: Opelousas and St. Landry Parish, Louisiana State University-Eunice Office of Public Relations Archived 2007-04-01 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 27 April 2008
  7. "History of Opelousas | City of Opelousas: Perfectly Seasoned". www.cityofopelousas.com. Retrieved 2018-03-09.
  8. Central Acadiana Gateway: Opelousas and St. Landry Parish, LSUE Office of Public Relations, 2000 Archived 2007-04-01 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 27 April 2008
  9. "Opelousas and St. Landry Parish". Louisiana State University - Eunice. Archived from the original on 2007-04-01. Retrieved 2007-03-19.
  10. "Opelousas Facts and History". City of Opelousas. Archived from the original on 2007-07-05. Retrieved 2007-03-19.
  11. Ingber, Sasha (11 April 2019). "'Evil Acts': Son Of Sheriff's Deputy Is Chief Suspect In Louisiana Church Arson Cases". National Public Radio. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  12. Blinder, Alan; Fausset, Richard; Eligon, John (April 11, 2019). "A Charred Gas Can, a Receipt and an Arrest in Fires of 3 Black Churches". New York Times.
  13. McLaughlin, Eliott C. "Prosecutor adds hate crimes to charges against Louisiana church fire suspect". CNN. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
  14. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  15. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  16. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  17. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  18. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  19. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  20. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  21. "Language Map Data Center". www.mla.org. Retrieved 2018-03-09.
  22. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-03-09.

Resources
  • Jack Claude Nezat The Nezat And Allied Families 1630-2007 Lulu 2007 ISBN 978-2-9528339-2-9, ISBN 978-0-615-15001-7

The author is one of the descendants of "Alexandre of Attakapas", Nezat Alexandre, born 1781 in Attakapas Post and died 1824 (Source Hebert).

Geology

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