New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1921-07-09
NEW IBERIA THEN AND
NOW.

To one who returns to New
Iberia after a lapse of year, a
ride over the town must be a
revelation: l enjoyed this ex-
perience few nights ago and
found it hard to associate what
met my gaze with the little
"Cajan" village of thirty years
ago.
Looking up West Main Street,
just as the lights in the White
Way go on gives one pleasure
able shock. You feel in the
front of things as your modern
car glides over the smooth street
bordered on either side by a
strip of green sward dotted at
regular intervals by palms and
Oleander trees, presented blythe
way by Mrs. William Preston
Johnston of Avery Island, SUI
plimented bv the Women's
Council of New Iberia. Iberia
Street recently paved with bith-
uletic is another surprise and a
credit to the property holders
of that section who as did those
of Main Street. Duperier Ave
enue assumed the entire cost of
paving rather than reside longer
on the banks of elongated mud
holes unsightly and unsanitary.
- So many attractive residences
have been erected on iberia
Street with we'll kept grounds
and such a prodigality of flow
ers the cultivation of which has
been greatly stimulated by the
Women's Council in its determ-
nation to make New Iberia a
city beautiful.
Main Street with its brilliant
ly lighted and artistically
dressed store windows is alto
gether after the fashions of a
city.
Crossing the Bayou in whose
placid surface, the light in
heaven above and from the
earth beneath were reflected
made picture to inspire an
artist touch. And as your car
swings around the graceful
curve into Duperier Avenue the
New Iberia Sanitarium arrests
your attention. Sit we'll back
from the road surrounding ON
all side by magnificent oaks, the
large building, white from
to chimney tops gives
one a source of rest and security.
An addition of eight rooms is in
progress of construction which
when completed will make this
one of the largest and best
institutions of its kind
IN the State outside of New Or
leans. Duperier Averu. ear
boast of many modern attrac-
i've residences with well kept
grounds. surrounded with
hedges trimmed in artistic de-
signs.
The approach to what is
as East End has always
been a beauty spot admired by |
yisitors and tourists. The old |
Weeks home with its colonial |
pillars and broad galleries al
most hidden by giants of the
orests primevel, where creep
ne vines grow unafraid swing
ng from Dough to bough their
resses of gray moss waving in
he. dangerous breeze is not sug-
'estive of modern progress but
reminder of one time elegant
ase and lavish hospitality for
which this old home was fam
us.
AT this point of the landscape
he magnificent oaks on either
ide the street form an arch of
lmost a block in extent.
East Main was the first street |,
aved some twelve years ago.
his section has not changed |,
r progressed visably. The
pacious grounds suggestive of |,
rivate parks the commodious
esidences many of them land =
marks of Eye olden time" One |,
f these the Henshaw home is IT.
ow St. Peters Catholic College i
, which two additional build
lgs have been added. Another |,
lace of anti-bellum history was |,
ne plantation home Of John F.
[iuler and late of Mr.. and Mrs.
Dhn Lloyd lewis whose plan I
ltion of 5000 arpents included Ii
Y entire East End of the town. |,
his is now the home of Mrs.
Gorge Fitzhu0h. handsome Il