Collection:LPB

Genre: Documentary

Place Covered: Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, 30.5159959, -92.0683532

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2007-03-15

Duration: 00:07:47

Subjects: History | CEMETERIES | Historic buildings | Michel Prudhomme House (Opelousas, La.) | Tony Chachere's Creole Foods | Business

Contributors:

• Whinham, Charlie Host
• Woods, Virnado Photographer
• Fontenot, Keith Interviewee
• Dubuisson, Ed Interviewee
• Douget, James Interviewee
• Allen, J.A. Interviewee
• Chachere, Don Interviewee
• Amling, Etha Simien Interviewee

This segment from the “What’s in a Name, Part 4” episode of the series “Lost Louisiana” from March 15, 2007, features Charlie Whinham’s visit to Opelousas in St. Landry Parish, the third oldest city in Louisiana. He talks to historian and author Keith Fontenot about the origin of the city’s name. He also tours the St. Landry Catholic Church Cemetery with Ed Dubuisson, the former president of the Louisiana Preservation Alliance, and James Douget of the Preservationists of St. Landry Parish. Next, Whinham and Douget also visit the Michel Prudhomme House, the oldest house in Opelousas. Whinham then talks to artist J.A. Allen about his sketches of the changing Opelousas landscape and buildings and his creation of the city seal. Lastly, Whinham talks to Don Chachere, the president and CEO of Tony Chacere’s Creole Foods, about the company and the legacy of his grandfather, Tony Chacere.