a JEFFERSON DAVIS 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, October 28, 1997

Some memorable dates in

Jefferson Davis Parish history

by Jim Bradshaw

1840

March 24 - "Imperial" Calcasieu Parish is separated from "Imperial" St. Landry Parish.

The first sawmill in the Lake Arthur area is established.

1876

The first rice mill in the Lake Arthur area is built.

1878

A post office is established at Lake Arthur.

1880

The town of Welsh is first surveyed into city blocks.

1881

The first school is established at Welsh.

1882

The first trains reach Jennings.

1883

Feb. 7 - S. L. "Father" Cary arrives in Jennings. He would become one of the chief promoters of the town and region.

1887

C. St. Germain and A. M. Gauthier brings the first rice threshing machine and portable steam boiler to Lake Arthur.

1888

Jennings is incorporated with a population of 300 people.

Welsh has its first town council meeting.

1889

Jan. 9 - The first newspaper is published in Jennings, by H. W. Cary, son of the town's founder.

1890

The U.S. census shows Jennings with a population of 412. Three-fourths of the population is from Iowa.

May 22 - The Lake Arthur Herald publishes its first edition. Its editor is P. M. Kokanour.

1893

A severe winter freeze decimates herds of cattle roaming the south Louisiana prairies.

The first telephone in Jennings is installed, connecting the home of Dr. E. M. Burke at the corner of Plaquemine and Church streets with his office in the 100 blocks of North Main Street.

1894

The first Catholic Church is built at Welsh.

1895

Blizzard-like conditions again do heavy damage to south Louisiana cattle herds.

Jennings establishes a telephone system.

1899

The Lake Arthur Town Lot and Land Co. plans the original town.

1900

The first automobile arrives in Jennings. It is owned by J. H. Hoffman, cashier at Citizens Bank.

1901

September - Louisiana's first oil well is drilled just north of Jennings.

Nov. 4 - A great fire wipes out the downtown section of Jennings.

1903

January - Construction begins on the Lake Arthur branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad.

Lake Arthur citizens petition for the settlement to be incorporated as a village.

Dec. 29 - Southern Pacific train service begins between Hayes and Lake Arthur.

1906

The New Orleans, Texas and Mexico Railroad reaches Elton.

1907

The first passenger train stops in Elton.

1910

Easter morning - Fire destroys 30 businesses in a six-block area in Welsh.

1911

Elton is incorporated as a village.

The first airplane lands at Jennings. Ten years after the flight of the Wright brothers, Robert G. Fowler is making his way across the United States from California by a series of "aerial hops." He is met in Lake Charles by a delegation from Jennings promising him $100 if he visits the town.

1912

June 12 - The legislature votes to divide Calcasieu Parish.

Oct. 22 - The people of the newly formed Jefferson Davis Parish select Jennings over Welsh as the parish seat by a majority of 79 votes. The bitter contest included the burning in effigy of some Welsh supporters by the citizens of Jennings.

Dec. 17 - Jefferson Davis Parish elects its first officers: Joe Fuselier, Elton, sheriff; Isaac R. Price, Lake Arthur, clerk of court; L.L. Richard, Jennings, assessor; F. F. Arceneaux, Welsh, treasurer; Dr. T. S. Smith, Elton, coroner; Rev. R. P. Howell, Lake Arthur, representative; W. P. Arnette, school superintendent; A. E. Edwards, district attorney; Winston Overton and Alfred Barbe, judges.

1913

Jan. 1 - Jefferson Davis Parish is officially separated from Calcasieu Parish.

Jan. 4 - The first Jefferson Davis Parish Police Jury meeting is held. The Police Jury named by Gov. L. E. Hall to sit until an elected jury could be named consisted of R. P. Howell, president; John Cooper, T. S. Langley, E. D. Conner, H. E. Merrill, and Isaac Price, clerk.

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