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The Attakapas Indians were the early inhabitants of Acadia Parish. Claimed by France in 1682, the Louisiana territory was held as a French colony until 1763, when it was ceded to Spain. Louisiana was returned to France in 1800 under Napoleon. Three years later, the United States purchased the Louisiana territory. During the French regime Acadia Parish was a part of the district known as Poste des Opelousas, later known as St. Landry Parish, from which several southwest parishes were formed. Under United States jurisdiction, Opelousas became the seat of all legal transaction. As more and more small communities sprang up in the area, long distances of travel became a hardship. St. Landry Representative J.C. Lyons of Plaquemine Brulee in 1886 introduced a bill into the Louisiana legislature calling for the creation and organization of the parish Nicholls. The suggested name for the parish for subsequently changed to Acadia. Act #39 was passed and signed by Governor McEnery. On October 6, 1886, the election was held to decide if St. Landry Parish would be divided. The vote was 2516 for and 1521 against and so the parish of Acadia was created by the vote of the people. There was a bitter fight as to which town would be parish seat. In the election of March 1887, the city of Crowley was chosen with 698 votes, while Rayne received 560 and Prairie Hayes 519. _______________________________________
Towns of Acadia Parish Church Point Crowley Duson Estherwood Eunice Iota Mermentau Morse Rayne ________________________________________ |
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