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History ©Kent-Hutslar

History

Explore the rich history of Lafayette Parish, where indigenous Atakapa-Ishak, Choctaw, Chitimacha, and Opelousa cultures once thrived. Early settlers from France, Spain, and Acadia established vibrant communities along the Vermilion River and its bayous. Jean Mouton and surveyor John Dinsmore, Jr. designed St. Jean du Vermilionville in the 1820s, evolving into Vermilionville. Later, in 1823, Lafayette Parish was carved from St. Martin Parish, named after Marquis de Lafayette, a revolutionary hero. The town evolved into Lafayette and became the central hub of Acadiana, blossoming with a railroad stop, a dynamic population, and a bustling business district. To explore more of Lafayette, LA’s history, see below.

Inspiration Journal

Lafayette's blog showcasing the food, music, culture and history at the heart of Cajun & Creole Country.

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Lafayette Weekly

Lafayette Weekly

The streets of Lafayette will be a little quieter and less crowded this week in the wake of Festival International, but there’s still plenty of live music to catch. The…

Civil Rights Trail in Lafayette

Civil Rights Trail in Lafayette

The U.S. Civil Rights Trail marks important landmarks, primarily in Southern states, where activists challenged segregation in churches, courthouses, schools, and other sites in…

Getting to Lafayette

The city of Lafayette, LA is located in the center of Lafayette Parish at the intersection of I-10 and I-49 between New Orleans and Houston and only 35 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico.

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