Today, the city of Lafayette is known for the fact that it is the center of a large region of Louisiana, which includes approximately nine parishes located in the south-central portion of the state. Originally this region was called The Attakapas or Attakapas Prairie after the Attakapas Indians which inhabited the area prior to the colonization of Louisiana by the French.

The conditions of life which surrounded the founding of the village of Vermillionville, which led to the development of the railroad and the founding of a college, and which encouraged the establishment of major industry allow one to say that Lafayette is and has been a middle class town. This is to say that throughout much of its history, this community has not only shown concern for quality education, progressive government, and abundant economic growth, but has been able to create public and private development which alleviated these concerns. 

This history of Lafayette, thus records this development and attempts to place it in some sort of perspective which makes it more meaningful and applicable to the present condition of this city. In short, it attempts to show how and why Lafayette is a “nice town” in this 1972 book. 

“Whereas the coming of the railroad and the establishment of the college, two separate, but nonetheless significant events, marked the beginning of the metamorphosis of the village of Vermilionville into the town of Lafayette; Lafayette the city, did not take shape until the early 1950’s, almost a half century after the citizens first began to realize the potential that their town had for becoming an urban center in southcentral Louisiana.”

“Eighty years later in 1899, G.D. Harris reported, “...considerable quantities of gas escaping from a natural gas spring 2 1/4 miles west of Breau Bridge.” Harris had uncovered what probably was part of the Anse La Butte oil field, and the news of his discovery created pandomonium in Lafayette, as businessmen and entrepreneurs rushed to the area to make their fortunes.”

By J. Philip Dismukes

Page Count: 124

8.5x11 Hardcover

First Printing 1972, Reprinted 2025

ISBN: 978-1-68593-262-6