The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-06-23
OUR GARDEN PARISHES.
ST, LANDRY.
srowm of OBeiOusas n.enernl Fentures~-
GeosOgy, MineraiOgy, Topography,
Legends, Etc.

Legends, Etc.
The parish OF ST. Landry, the largest of the
state excepting Calcasieu, Is bounded on the
north by Avoyelles and Rapides parishes,
on the south by Vermillion, Lafayette
ard st. Martin, on the east by Iberville
and pointe Coupee, and on the west by
Calcaeieu. It is crossed by the fifteenth de-
gree of longitude west from Washington,
about In the middle OF its width and included
between the thirtieth and thrty-hrst degree
III north latitude. Formerly known as the Ope-
Eunsas Province Qncluding Calcasieu), settled
hy the Spanish and French traders, who
thence communicated with the province Of
Mexico. The first agricultural settlers Of this
section were Aoadians, in 1857, and a few years
afterwards q number of Spanish families who
had left the Canary Islands settled along the
Bayou Lafourche, Teehe and in the Attakapas
and 0pelousas regions.
During the American war of independence
good many volunteers left Opelousas to
serve with the American patriots, and their
graphic accounts of their homes attracted a
number OF American families, who returned
with them after the war, and made their set
Elements among them.
0PELoUSAS, THE PARISH CAPITAL.
The quaint and typical old town of Opelou-
sas, by It's location in the immense prairie
wilds that start from the Gulf Of Mexico and
stretch their level plain as far north as the
polar seas, is interesting In many aspects.
To us, in Louisiana 1t occupies the position
of another Omaha, where the three Texas and
Pacific railroads will soon meet to open TO
our enterprise the untold Eldorados Of Mex
leo, especially Sonora (which, by the way, is
mot more distant from New Orleans than
Baltimorel, and of California and its sister
States OF the great Andes or Rocky mountain
slopes.
opelousas is situated in the open table-land
or prairie, In the southeastern corner of the
parish, six miles due southwest of Washing
Con and twelve miles northwest by west from
Port Barre, both ports on the Courtableau,
which Is it's basis of communication with the
Red, Atchafalaya and Mississippi rivers.
The dwellings Of this prairie metropolis
some quite gorgeous in their architectural
style and bespeaking wealth and ease In their
ad0rnment- spread on very extensive
area, and appear more like the garden sub
sIrfs of d large city, with their parks lawns
ana gardens. than like the busy hives Of bust
ness thrift which good many conceal.
The streets are wide, generally lined with
stately shade trees and kept In good repair.
A daily mail service, via New Iberia and
Morgan CITY and a telegraph line, place
che town in regular and close connection
with New Orleans.
! In the centre of the town spacious square of
over two acres area marks the general rem
devious for all travellers, who find around 1t
the best hotels, the postofice, livery stables,
etc. while in the centre of the square the
massive brick court house rises from amid
qstfacsestI OF shade trees and surrounded by
60 the distant visitor by a tall masthead with
the stars and stripes tiuttering at its pinion.
The remembrances of the places past his
tory are very pleasant, and they are wildly