Mamou, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mamou, Louisiana
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Town
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Location of Mamou in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana.
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Location of Louisiana in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Parish | Evangeline |
| Founded by | C.C. Duson |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.41 sq mi (3.65 km2) |
| • Land | 1.41 sq mi (3.65 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 62 ft (19 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,936 |
| • Density | 2,083.75/sq mi (804.36/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
70554
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| Area code(s) | 337 |
| FIPS code | 22-48085 |
Mamou is a small town in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana, United States. In 2020, about 2,936 people lived there. It's known as "The Cajun Music Capital of the World" because of its rich musical heritage.
Contents
Where is Mamou Located?
Mamou is in the southern part of Evangeline Parish. It's about 3 miles south of Reddell and 10 miles north of Eunice. The parish seat, Ville Platte, is about 12 miles northeast of Mamou.
The town covers a total area of about 1.41 square miles (3.6 square kilometers). All of this area is land, with no water.
Mamou's Interesting History
There are many stories about how Mamou got its name. One idea is that it came from a legendary Native American chief named Mamou. This large grassy area was called "Mamou Prairie" as early as the 1700s.
Some early English settlers called it "Mammouth Prairie" because it was so huge. When the French arrived, they shortened it to "Mamou," which means "mammoth." It's also a family name found in France.
How Mamou Became a Town
The town of Mamou was officially planned in 1907 by Curley C. Duson. He was the head of the Mamou Town Site Company. They opened an office and started selling land lots for $50 each. The original village was one square mile. Mamou officially became an incorporated town on January 11, 1911.
For many years, cotton was the main crop grown here. By 1915, Mamou had four cotton gins, which are machines that separate cotton fibers from their seeds. These gins produced thousands of bales of cotton. However, when the demand for cotton went down, local farmers started growing rice instead. Today, rice is the main crop in the area.
Mamou's Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 649 | — | |
| 1930 | 800 | 23.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,379 | 72.4% | |
| 1950 | 2,254 | 63.5% | |
| 1960 | 2,928 | 29.9% | |
| 1970 | 3,275 | 11.9% | |
| 1980 | 3,194 | −2.5% | |
| 1990 | 3,483 | 9.0% | |
| 2000 | 3,566 | 2.4% | |
| 2010 | 3,242 | −9.1% | |
| 2020 | 2,936 | −9.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Mamou has changed over the years. In 2020, there were 2,936 people living in the town. These people lived in 1,128 households, with 615 of those being families.
Education in Mamou
Public schools in Mamou are managed by the Evangeline Parish School Board. There are three schools that serve the town:
- Mamou Elementary School (for students in grades PK–4)
- Mamou Upper Elementary (for students in grades 5–8)
- Mamou High School (for students in grades 9–12)
Mamou Upper Elementary and Mamou High School are located on the same campus.
Mamou's Vibrant Culture
Mamou is right in the middle of Louisiana's Cajun country. The town is famous for its amazing music and talented musicians. It even calls itself "The Cajun Music Capital of the World"!
Because of its strong music scene, Mamou is mentioned in many song titles, like "'Tit Galop Pour Mamou" and "Mamou Two-Step." It's also part of band names, such as Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys. Mamou is home to the well-known Fred's Lounge, where you can hear live Cajun music every Saturday morning. Each year, the town also celebrates with a traditional Courir de Mardi Gras run.
Famous People from Mamou
Many notable people have come from Mamou, including:
- Danny Ardoin – A professional Major League Baseball player.
- Jacqueline Ceballos – A well-known feminist and activist.
- Lewis Elliott Chaze – A journalist and author.
- Austin Deculus – A professional football player in the NFL.
- Chris Duhon – A professional basketball player.
- Drastik – A hip-hop artist.
- Malcolm Frank – A former defensive back in the NFL and CFL.
- Mayeus Lafleur – A talented Cajun musician.
- Barry Manuel – A Major League Baseball player and Louisiana State University All-American.
- Jimmy C. Newman – A famous singer.
- Steve Riley – A Cajun and zydeco accordionist, singer, and bandleader.
- Keith Sonnier – A visual artist.
See also
In Spanish: Mamou (Luisiana) para niños
