an IBERIA PARISH article

Cultures of Acadiana
a look at the French, Cajun, Creole, and Native American cultures of south Louisiana
(a project of Carencro High School - 721 West Butcher Switch Road, Lafayette, LA 70507)

Lafayette (LA) Daily Advertiser, November 25, 1997

Some memorable dates in Iberia Parish history

by Jim Bradshaw

1769

Francisco Bouligny comes to Louisiana.

1774

Joseph Carlin is given a Spanish land grant for the land that would become Jefferson Island.

1779

First settlers from Malaga, Spain, arrive in Louisiana. They are sent to found Nueva Iberia.

1790

Elizabeth Hayes is given a Spanish land grant for land that would later be known as Avery Island.

1792

William Weeks receives a grant of 800 acres on the island that still carries his name.

1814

March 2 - The first post office is established at New Iberia.

1835

Surveyors lay out the Town of Iberia.

1839

March 13 - The Legislature approves the charter for the Town of Iberia.
September - Yellow fever decimates New Iberia and spreads rapidly up and down the Teche. A black woman named Félicité, a native of Santo Domingo, apparently immune to the disease, worked day and night nursing the sick, comforting the dying, and arranging for burial of the dead.

1848

A French geologist predicts that rock salt will be found at Avery Island and Weeks Island.

1851

The first bridge across the Teche at New Iberia is completed.

1854

W. E. Hudson, "Father of Jeanerette," establishes a store there.

1862

May 4 - Workmen enlarging salt springs at Avery Island hit solid salt, making the first discovery of solid rock salt in North America.

1868

Oct. 3 - Iberia Parish is created. New Iberia is made the parish seat.

1870

Actor Joseph Jefferson buys most of the island that now bears his name.
The Banner and Courier and the Louisiana Sugar Bowl newspapers begin publishing in New Iberia.
June 20 - Fire destroys a big part of New Iberia business district.

1871

April 15 - Ozaire Joseph Loreau donates two acres of land for a church at Loreauville.

1875

March - The first bal masqué in New Iberia, for the benefit of the Iberia Brass Band, is the forerunner to the city's Mardi Gras celebration.

1878

March 15 - Jeanerette is incorporated.

1909

April 23 - Loreauville is incorporated with a population of 291.

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