Established 1988

French for "the old village," Le Vieux Village is a park created by a collection of restored historic structures from Opelousas and surrounding areas of St. Landry Parish. The village depicts the unique and diverse historical and cultural heritage that is Opelousas. Although the village showcases structures from the mid-1700s to the mid-1900s, Opelousas is interwoven into the development of Louisiana at a much earlier dateThe city takes its name from the Opelousa Indians, a small band of the historic Attakapa Tribe, which lived in the area for thousands of years. The Native Americans have been here since prehistoric times. As early as 1706, the Opelousas Country was known to Frenchman. France sent a military exploration team to the Opelousas area to establish a French governing presence here in 1719. By 1720, Opelousas had become the mid-way stopping point for travelers going between Natchitoches and New Orleans. Opelousas in Louisiana's third oldest city, founded in 1720.In 1763, Louis Pellerin, a French soldier stationed at Opelousas, received a land grant to establish a permanent settlement. The original streets of Opelousas were laid out during this time. Acadians (Cajuns) began arriving in the Opelousas region two years later in 1765. A military garrison was established here while Opelousas was under Spanish control until
1801.Following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the County of Opelousas was created, with Opelousas becoming the seat of government in 1805. On March 31, 1807, the county was renamed St. Landry Parish after the Catholic Church in Opelousas. Seven parishes were created from the original Opelousas County. For this reason, the parish is often referred to as "Old Imperial St. Landry Parish," This territory extended from the Atchafalaya River to the east and the Sabine River to the west and from present day Avoyelles and Rapides parishes to the north to the Gulf of Mexico to the south. Opelousas became the capital of Confederate Louisiana for almost a year during the Civil War. The Lt. Governor at the time lived on Liberty Street. His home was used as the Governor's Mansion in the state.Because of its resilient people, the city survived the American Civil War, Reconstruction and welcomed the Industrial Revolution. Opelousas has since become a destination for its history, culture and its "joie de vivre."

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Show me all markers in:  Opelousas, LA  |  St. Landry Parish  |  70570  |  Louisiana  |  United States of America

Opelousas Firsts and Famous/ Hall of Fame
J.S. Clark High School
Rosa B. Scott (Anderson)
Venus House
Doctor's Office
Jarrell Home
The Macland Plantation Bell
Sugar Kettle, c. 1800
St. Joseph Methodist Church for Colored People
19th Century Outhouse, c.1890

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