ST. LANDRY PARISH: It Spanned South Louisiana
Issue No. 4 (September 30, 1997) of the Lafayette (LA) Daily Advertiser's HISTORY OF ACADIANA a publication dedicated to preserving Acadiana's heritage and culture

"Imperial St. Landry Parish" began as a territory larger than some of the empires of Europe, stretching from the steamboat town of Washington, across fertile fields and picturesque prairies to the Sabine River and Spanish Texas.

1. Opelousas district named for Attakapas kinfolk
2. Explorers were impressed with lush St. Landry lands, Area was well-suited for agriculture and raising cattle
3. Water route to Mississippi was key to development
4. Parish was named for early Bishop of Paris
5. Treaty of Paris sent settlers to Opelousas area, 1763 land deal gave French lands to Great Britain
6. Blacks came to parish with first Europeans
7. St. Landry's first Catholic church was built in Washington
8. Opelousas one of state's oldest cities
9. Jim Bowie legend runs through parish
10. Washington home to historic buildings
11. Eunice named for pioneer developer's wife
12. The miracle of Grand Coteau healed girl
13. Academy of Sacred Heart has 175-year history
14. Sunset name has several stories
15. Sweet potatoes once led Sunset agricultural parade
16. Arnaudville formed as transportation hub
17. Chrétien Point remembers plantation days, Civil War
18. Lastie Dupré's name linked with tales of gold
19. Lawtell combination of two family names
20. Krotz Springs founded by early developer
21. Port Barre was early trading post
22. Palmetto was first named for biblical town of Goshen
23. Cankton named for early doctor
24. Melville grew on the river and the railroad
25. Leonville named for St. Leon
26. St. Landry communities reflect parish diversity: Augusta, Bayou Current, Beggs, Bellevue, Big Cane, Dubuisson, Elba, Faubourg, Garland, Goodwood, LeBeau, Lemoyen, Lewisburg, Macland, Mallet, Prairie Ronde, Robin, Rosa, Waxia, Whiteville
27. Some memorable dates in St. Landry Parish history
28. Further Reading on St. Landry Parish