Iota, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Iota, Louisiana
|
|
|---|---|
|
Town
|
|
| Town of Iota | |
Location of Iota in Acadia Parish, Louisiana.
|
|
.svg)
Location of Louisiana in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Parish | Acadia |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.27 sq mi (3.29 km2) |
| • Land | 1.27 sq mi (3.29 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 30 ft (9 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 1,304 |
| • Density | 1,026.77/sq mi (396.42/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Zip Code |
70543
|
| Area Code | 337 |
| FIPS code | 22-37410 |
Iota is a small town in Acadia Parish, Louisiana. In 2020, about 1,304 people lived there. Iota is part of the larger Crowley area, which is a group of towns connected by their economy.
Contents
History of Iota
The story of Iota is linked to a place called Pointe-aux-Loups, which means "Wolf Point" in French. This was one of the oldest known places in southwest Louisiana. Around 1858, many people visited Pointe-aux-Loups because it had special mineral springs.
The older settlement was located near a bayou (a slow-moving stream) called Bayou des Cannes. This was about two miles west of where Iota is today. In 1884, a post office was set up nearby and named Cartville, after the first postmaster, Samuel Cart.
About ten years later, a new railroad line was built from Midland to Eunice. This railroad passed about a mile east of Cartville. The railroad company built a station, called a depot, at the closest point to Cartville and Pointe-aux-Loups. They named this new station "Iota." In 1900, the Cartville post office officially changed its name to Iota.
Who Founded Iota?
C.C. Duson is known as the founder of Iota. He helped build the Southern Pacific rail line to Eunice, which was a new town he also started. In 1894, Duson bought the land where Iota now stands. This land was originally settled by Archille Doucet in 1835. Duson then divided the land into smaller pieces, called town lots, and sold them.
Duson was also important in starting the Acadia Canal Company near Iota. He was also the president of the town's first rice mill in 1901. These two businesses were very important for Iota's early growth and economy.
Throughout the 1900s, Iota and its people continued to do well. Farming (agriculture) and oil (petroleum) were the main ways people made a living. During this time, rice became a very important crop, and later, crawfish also became a major product for the area.
In the 1990s, it was found that Iota had more people than usual who carried the gene for Tay-Sachs. This is a very rare genetic condition.
Iota was also featured in a book called No Place Louisiana by Martin Pousson, which was published in 2002. The town is also home to American Legion Post No. 371, a group for military veterans.
Geography
Iota is located at 30°19′43″N 92°29′35″W / 30.32861°N 92.49306°W.
The United States Census Bureau says that the town covers about 3.3 square kilometers (about 1.27 square miles) of land. There is no water area within the town limits.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 769 | — | |
| 1920 | 802 | 4.3% | |
| 1930 | 827 | 3.1% | |
| 1940 | 1,000 | 20.9% | |
| 1950 | 1,162 | 16.2% | |
| 1960 | 1,245 | 7.1% | |
| 1970 | 1,271 | 2.1% | |
| 1980 | 1,326 | 4.3% | |
| 1990 | 1,256 | −5.3% | |
| 2000 | 1,376 | 9.6% | |
| 2010 | 1,500 | 9.0% | |
| 2020 | 1,304 | −13.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
People in Iota
Here's a look at the different groups of people living in Iota, based on the 2020 census:
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White | 1,169 | 89.65% |
| Black or African American | 68 | 5.21% |
| Native American | 2 | 0.15% |
| Other/Mixed Race | 34 | 2.61% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 31 | 2.38% |
In 2020, there were 1,304 people living in Iota. These people made up 648 households, with 409 of those being families.
Arts and Culture
Iota hosts an exciting event every year called the Iota Mardi Gras Folklife Festival. Thousands of people visit this festival to enjoy real Cajun food, listen to Cajun music, and see local crafts.
Unlike the big, fancy parades you might see in cities, Iota and nearby country towns celebrate Mardi Gras in a special way called Courir de Mardi Gras. This means "Mardi Gras Run." People dress up in masks, costumes, and tall, pointy hats called capuchons. They travel through the countryside, having fun and asking for money and ingredients to make gumbo.
The gumbo is the main dish at a big community dinner and dance. During this event, the Mardi Gras riders sing the Chanson de Mardi Gras, which is an old Cajun French song for drinking and asking for things. Then, they take off their masks to show everyone who they are!
Education
Acadia Parish School Board is in charge of the schools in Iota. They operate Iota High School. There is also a private school in the area called St. Francis Catholic School.
See also
In Spanish: Iota (Luisiana) para niños
