The First Inhabitants of What Would Become Beria Parish

The first inhabitants of what would become beria Parish. Louisiana. were American hdians. who migrated to the region about 12.000 years ago. They were drawn particularly to the t@>@>h@>t t@> _rass u_rt roughly 2,000-acre geographical oddity now called Avery Island, which is actually a salt dome ~.. located about three miles inland from Vermilion Bay. There the hdians boiled the Island's briny ·"'\~ .II<'~,., spring water to extract salt which they traded to other tribes as far away as central Texas. HISTORIC DISTRIC HIS.TO~ICSTREET Arkansas. and Ohio. \,. Shopping , Dining. the Arts. Lodging By the eighteenth century the allegedly cannibalistic Attakapas tribe inhabited much of KONRIKQI!l/Conrad Rice Mill -· . south-central and southwestern Louisiana. (The name Attakapas translates as "Man Eater.l \! jl America's Oldest Rice Mill Company &;,\!~;, ~("~ 'I Despite the Attakapas· fierce reputation. during the eighteenth century European settlers trickled Tour & Store ~-~ into the region. which they dubbed the Attakapas District Shadows-on-the-Teche n 1779 a group of Spanish settlers under the leadership of Francisco Bouligny settled in -.. Plantation Home & Garden Tour Attakapas. and established a community on Bayou Teche called Nuevo beria (New beria) As J., {.,} historian Glenn R. Conrad has observed, it is today the only remaining town in the state of TABASCQIIl Brand Products Louisiana to have been founded by the Spaniards." Free factory tour & Country Store cJ They were joined by French and Acadian settlers, and by 17BB the community consisted of Jungle Gardens of Avery Island about one hundred ninety individuals. (British troops had expelled the Acadians from their Nova Garden Tour. Bird Sanctuary. Ancient Buddha Temple Scotian homeland earlier in the century. and the first exiles arrived in Attakapas in 1764·65. Over generations they and the other ethnic groups with whom they intermarried on the south Jeanerette Sugar Museum Louisiana frontier developed into a new ethnic group, the Cajuns.) c..P History of sugar Processing Exhibits ~') With these settlers of European descent came Afro-Caribbean slaves and the gens de couleur Rip Van Winkle Gardens of Jefferson Island libre [free persons of color"). The latter occupied a middle tier between enslaved blacks and free whites; by 1B70 their descendants had formed a large Creole endave at Grand Marais. in ~ osephJefferson Home. Garden Tour. B & B cottages southeastern beria Parish. After the Louisiana Purchase of IB03, these French. Spanish. Acadian, Antique Rose Ville and African inhabitants were joined increasingly by Anglo-American settlers. Garden Tour. High Tea & Dining During the early 1800s sugar cane became the region's principal crop, and so it remains today. Each September the arrival of the harvest and ginning season is celebrated in beria Parish with Bayou Teche Museum the Sugar Cane Festival, founded in 1941. Teche area. History. Culture & Exhibits The area that would became beria Parish was hotly contested by Union and Confederate forces during the Civil War. Their battle lines moved back and forth through the area. and Union troops twice looted the town. They also seized the Weeks family mansion. now called ~::> ' "Shadows·on-the·Teche." and used it as a command post - but not before it too, was looted. As a Union officer noted. "the boys were allowed to go through it sack. pillage and destroy every New Iberia's historic commercial district artide within its walls." won the 2005 Great American Main NATIONALREGISTER RESIDENTIAL n 1868 beria Parish was created from parts of St Martin and St Mary parishes. with New beria Street Award® sponsored by the National being appointed its seat of government Trust for Historic Preservation\ll DISTRICTWALKING TOUR That same year local resident Edmund Mclhenny grew his first commercial crop of tabasco peppers. which the following year he marketed as TABASCoe brand pepper sauce. That

world-famous condiment is still manufactured in beria Parish. Its home. Avery Island. also t~h ·'*'~.> boasted the nation's earliest solid rock salt mine. first excavated in 1862 - an event that G~ , prompted Union gunboats to attack the Island. .. Experience the setting Although sugar continued to play a vital role in beria Parish. during the twentieth century oil became a major component of the local economy. Oil was first discovered in Louisiana in 1901, captured in the famed and numerous petroleum-related businesses were soon operating out of beria Parish - not only because of its oil deposits. but also because its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and offshore ~t&~!~·~~) drilling platforms. The inland Port of beria opened to service the oil industry. both locally and Dave Robicheaux novels

worldwide. Many of the world's offshore drilling rigs and platforms are fabricated in this massive '~]l;w""""',;;.c··· ~~itffiP1tW.Wl\@,._UlSlAI'IA ,,,,,,,,~,"~. li'RENCH LO port facility. of New Iberia, native and Today beria Parish thrives as a center of sugar. oil, and salt production. and draws over 100,000 t(§)(fj) h.®tt@ r~~~ "J· visitors annually to its bayou-country attractions. including the Shadows-on-the-Teche plantation ' home and Konriko rice mill in New beria. the Tabasco factory. Jungle Gardens. and Bird City award-winning author, wildfowl refuge at Avery Island - to name only a few. IBERIA PARISH CONVENTIONAND VISITORS BUREAU - Welcome Center Open Monday thru Saturday - Sources: Jim Bradshaw. The Daily Advertisers History of Acadiana. No. 6, berta Parish (25 November 1997~ James Lee Burke. 2513 Hwy 14. New Iberia. LA 70560 Glen Conrad. New berta (1986~David C. Edmonds. Yankee Autumn in Acadiana 0987i Encydopedia of Cajun CUlture (s.v. beria Parish') Morris Raphael. The Battle in the Bayou Country (1990) 337.365.1540 • 1.888.942.3742 • www.lberiaTravel.com

REVISED ID-18·11 RESIDENTIAL HISTORIC DISTRICT WALKING TOUR 317EAST MAIN STREET c.1834 - 13 442 EASTMAIN SREET NATIONALHISTORIC LANDMARK MAISONMARSELINE c.1897 .:;A-,:;. Two-and-a-half story, brick,7 bay, colossal ()le story frame semi-octagonal fronted ~'t--RED DOT TOUR --.4 __.,..,,,-.- columnarGreek Revival plantation house. \,_,.,) shotgun house partically encircledby an fj~ Eastlake J } galleiy. LOCATIONS i := 2 300 EASTMAIN STREET - V1 ~ THEOLD POST OFFICE c.1903 14 THEGROTTO ERECTED TO ~ ./ fD ~ 3 0 ()le-story Geerg~anRevival building with OURLADY OF LOURDES IN 1941 f t" \ t»ti> ~ if G) archedfenestration and a columnar cupola as a memorial to the pioneer families eaYoutethl f) fJ fDfifiH!fiJG G G (D of the parish. o o«D e 3 109 WEEKSSTREET - """ 0 4D SYNAGOGUEc.1903 15 446 EAST MAIN STREET- 0 ()le-story brickbuilding vaguely Romanesque. ESTORAGE-NORTONHOME c.1900s with half-timbered front gable. Large two story elaborateframe house. built ~ G CD8 CD QJ)~ along bungalow lines by EdwardEstorage 4 314EAST MAIN STREET c.1870 ~ ~ completelyof cypress. o(fijfDfHD " oo o e>e i tZltDtJ(f!)(f!)e ~ G~ C) ()le-and-a-half story ColonialRevival cottage with Doriccolumns . CharlesKoch , a German 16 504 EASTMAIN STREET c.1910 ~~ • " •~ z Large frame two and story Colonial t. "'fl.'~c;1~tt"" " immigrant purchasedthe property from - -a-half §" •z • •z executorsof the estate of Mary ClaraWeeks Revivalhouse with Palladian window and . • W. MAINSTREET Moore. the first mistressof the Shadows. pedimented gable; bungalow porchadded t;;eo• c.1920. ... 5 320 EASTMAIN STREET c.1902 a: 17 511EAST MAIN STREET c.1930 ~ CHARLESSTREET Two story brick commercialbuilding . columns ~ V1 added cJ925. The building was originally a One-and-a-half story White Pine style Colonial "' gfS Revivalwith handsomecolonnade . ~ 0 ei>- one-story railroadoffice . The secondstory was ~ coz_.., - later and becamethe home of New a'-' added it 18 512EAST MAIN STREET c.1920 X ~ 1- ... tleria Mayor Alphe Fontelieu. Large frame bungalow with sets of casement ;!:~ ~ ~ windows and unusual arched columnarporch. .... 6 333 EASTMAIN STREET ~~ THEWEEKS HOME c.1910 19 520 EASTMAIN STREET c.l930 if E. ST. PETERSTREET .... cp Built by the descendentsof DavidWeeks , the One story brick vaguely medieval cottage. c~ builder of The Shadows.Two story frame nee-GreekReviva l residencebuilt as a copy 20 534 EASTMAIN STREET HEAVEN'SACRES c.1880 of Shadows-on-the-Teche. 25 608 EASTMAIN STREET c.1890 u 39 707 EASTMAIN STREET c.1920s 47 812 EASTMAIN STREET 32 647 EASTMAIN STREET c.1920s c.l910 William Southwell Horne. A two story, galleried. Frameshotgun house with openside gallery Cld rambling brickhouse stuccoedand made ()le Story small frame bungalow. mpressive two storyframe Colonial 7 405 EASTMAIN STREET c.1892 frame. late GreekRevival townhouse . Has and late GreekRevival details. into a bungalow in the 19205. Revivalhouse with pedimentedportico. Two story frame Queen Anne Revival house remained in the same family's possession 40 712EAST MAIN STREET c.1900 with well-developedEastlake details. since construction 26 616 EASTMAIN STREET c.1900 33 651 EASTMAIN STREET - ()le story frame Queen Anne Revivalcottage . 48 826 EASTMAIN STREET c.l920s ()le story frame galleried cottage. VICTORIANDOLLHOUSE c.l890 Porchmodified in the bungalow style. ())e story frame Creolecottage with 8 412 EASTMAIN STREET c.1880 • 21 541EAST MAIN STREET c.1930 Large frame one story Queen Anne Revival bungalow details. house-modified In 1910 ()le-and-a-half story. large rambUngframe 27 623 EASTMAIN STREET - STEAM 41 715 EASTMAIN STREET - cottage with imbricatedshingle gable. Two story frame mansard roof house with nee-Creolehouse with earty 19th-century BOATGOTHIC ARCHITECTURE c.1886 THEBURKE HOME c.1920s 49 829 EASTMAIN STREET c.l890 Columnsreplaced. massivec. 1910Colonial Revival gallery. style details. Built by MayorJohn Emmerwho used his brick ~~ ()le·and·a·half story brickersatz medieval FrameEastlake cottage . kiln located east of his home. CyrHouse . Two 34 656 EASTMAIN STREET c.1890 manor house. 9 417EAST MAIN STREET - 22 THEGEBERT OAK c.1831 50 830 EASTMAIN STREET c.l890 story, brick,galleried urban mansion Horne of Two-and-a-half story Queen Anne Revival FELIXPATOUT HOME c.1890s This Uve CJaktree was planted over the grave 42 718 EASTMAIN STREET c.1900 Elaborateframe Eastlakecottage . Paul Cyr,Lt Governor under ltJey Long. house with two semioctagonalbays and an Two story frame Queen Anne Revivalhouse of an infant twin of ElizabethMorse Marsh ()le story frame rambling QueenAnne Revival Presentcolumns added c.1940. Eastlakegallery . 1twas the first telephone office 51 200 PHILIPSTREET c.1902 with well-developedEastlake details and soon after the child'sdeath in July of 1B31. cottage. In New tleria. Framelate GreekRevival cottage. mansard roof tower. The Gebertfamily placed the tree in registry 28 624 EASTMAIN STREET c.1890 43 n4 EASTMAIN STREET c.1880 of the Uve CJakSociety . Frameshotgun house with elaborateEastlake 35 664 EASTMAIN STREET c.1850 52 202 PHILIPSTREET c.l920s 10 424 EASTMAIN STREET c.1920s ()le story frame cottage with Doricgallery and porch. Greek Revivalcottage similar to small plantation Framebungalow . ()le story frame ColonialRevival residence 23 544 EASTMAIN STREET - ~) ltalianate tower in the rear. house of the period. The secondoldest home in with widely proportioned Doricportico . THEPERRY HOUSE c.1880 29 625 EASTMAIN STREET c.1920s 53 119LEE STREET c.1890 ) """' the Hstoric Districtbuilt by John Miller, owner of 44 727 EASTMAIN STREET c.1930 WilliamSchwing Home moved from Center Large frame bungalow. Framelate Creolecottage. II 425 EASTMAIN STREET c.1890s OrangeIsland. now JeffersonIsland . ()le story frame White Pine style Colonial Streel to this location by oxen in 1876. Two story frame Queen Anne Revival 30 630 EASTMAIN STREET c.1925 Revivalcottage . 54 120 LEESTREET c.1920 ()le-and-a-half story. frame. four bay late 36 667 EASTMAIN STREET c.1920s residencewith modest Eastlakedetails . Two story stuccoMission ersatz Villa with Framebungalow . C) GreekRevival cottage . Dormersadded later. ()le-and-a-half frame bungalow with 45 729 EASTMAIN STREET c.1890 CharlesWeeks Home . Charleswas the son shallow arch porch. c· exceptionally massivecolumns . Segura Home. ()le-and-a-half story frame 55 122 LEESTREET c.1920 of Davidand Mary Clara Weeks. builders 24 604 EASTMAIN STREET c.1890 31 640 EASTMAIN STREET c.1900 plantation house size cottage with hesitant Large frame bungalow. of Shadows-on-the-Teche. Frameshotgun house with open side gallery 37 701 EASTMAIN STREET c.1920s Two-and-a-half story frame Queen Anne Eastlaketouches. and Eastlakedetails . ()le-and-a-half story rambling frame bungalow. .._ 12 438 EASTMAIN SREET c.1920s Revivalhouse with semioctagonalbay and 46 775 EASTMAIN STREET c.1890 ()le story frame bungalow with partially broad encompassinggallery . 38 705 EASTMAIN STREET c.1920s ,,.. r '·· Two story frame well-detailed ~) \.. endosed porch. ()le Story small frame bungalow. :....;) ColonialRevival house .

..NEW IBERIA HAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MAIN STREET IN THE COUNTRY:· - author James Lee Burke