Opelousas offers different ways to explore its history: a broad architectural timeline, museums with their own themes, and buildings with historical significance. If you want to focus your trip on culture and history, you can organize your choices around these highlights.
Architecture and Historic Sites
The Opelousas National Historic District showcases more than 175 years of architecture, from Greek Revival to Art Deco. Its range of styles gives the District an architectural focus. The Hidden Capitol of Louisiana played a different historical role: during the Civil War, it served as the governor’s residence.
Le Vieux Village includes historic buildings dating from the late 18th century to the mid-20th century. The historic walking tours also offer a clear choice: there are separate tours of Downtown Opelousas and North Opelousas. The Jim Bowie Oak is another named historic landmark; it is more than 350 years old.
Museums and Cultural Themes
The Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center presents the history and culture of the Opelousas area from prehistoric times to the present. Its exhibits include the Geraldine Smith Welch Doll Collection, a Civil War Room, a Louisiana Video Collection Library, and the Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival Archives. The themes range from historical collections to music archives.
The Louisiana Orphan Train Museum is dedicated to the Orphan Train Riders who traveled from New York to Louisiana between 1873 and 1929. It preserves documents, artifacts, and memorabilia about their story. The museum was established in 2009 through the restoration of a former Union Pacific Freight Depot.
The Rural African American Museum documents the history of the African American population, from the realities of slavery to today’s Creole cowboy culture. The Fireman’s Museum offers a different local focus, with memorabilia and artifacts from Opelousas Hope, Hook and Ladder Fire Co. #1. The Zydeco Music Exhibit introduces the unique and popular Zydeco music style of Southwest Louisiana through explanatory panels.
Churches and Local History
St. Landry Catholic Church is often referred to as the Mother Church of Acadiana; the present church was completed in 1909. St. Landry Catholic Cemetery is the oldest cemetery in Opelousas and contains graves dating to the early 19th century. Louisiana Memorial United Methodist Church is the oldest Methodist congregation west of the Mississippi River. Holy Ghost Catholic Church was established in 1920.
The Michel Prudhomme House is considered the oldest building still at its original location in Saint Landry Parish. Tours are available by appointment. This condition is important when planning a visit: tours are not available without a prior appointment.
An Annual Event
The Gumbo Cook-Off takes place every year on the last Saturday in January in downtown Opelousas. If you want to plan your trip around the event, check the date for the relevant year before making plans.
Discover more destinations: Eunice
Return to the main travel overview: St. Landry Parish.
