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Mamou, Louisiana
Town
Location of Mamou in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana.
Location of Mamou in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana.
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Country United States
State Louisiana
Parish Evangeline
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)
 • Total 2,936
 • Density 2,083.75/sq mi (804.36/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code(s) 337
FIPS code 22-48085

Mamou is a town in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 3,242 at the 2010 census, down from 3,566 in 2000.

Geography

Mamou is located in south-central Evangeline Parish at 30°38′3″N 92°25′8″W / 30.63417°N 92.41889°W / 30.63417; -92.41889 (30.634033, −92.418913). Louisiana Highway 13 follows the western border of the town, leading north 3 miles (5 km) to Reddell and south 10 miles (16 km) to Eunice. Ville Platte, the parish seat, is 12 miles (19 km) to the northeast.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Mamou has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.6 km2), all land.

History

There are many stories regarding the origin of the name "Mamou". One may have been the legendary Indian, Chief Mamou. It is certain that this vast prairie was known as "Mamou Prairie" as far back as the 18th century and that Anglo-Americans first called it "Mammouth Prairie" because of its immense size. When the French came, they called it "Mamou" for mammoth. "Mamou" is also a family name found in France.

Within this vast stretch of prairie, the town site of Mamou was platted in 1907 by Curley C. Duson of Eunice. He was president of the Mamou Town Site Company which opened an office on the corner of Seventh and Chestnut. Lot auctions were held weekly and lots were sold for $50. The original village covered one square mile. On January 11, 1911, Mamou was incorporated.

Cotton was the major crop for many years on the prairie. By 1915, the village boasted four cotton gins producing thousands of bales of cotton; however, the decline in the demand for cotton led local farmers toward the growing of rice that is now the major crop of the area.

Demographics

Historical population
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

2020 census

Mamou racial composition
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 1,396 47.55%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 1,323 45.06%
Native American 1 0.03%
Asian 15 0.51%
Other/Mixed 151 5.14%
Hispanic or Latino 50 1.7%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,936 people, 1,128 households, and 615 families residing in the town.

Culture

Mamou is located at the heart of Louisiana's Cajun country. The town is famous for its music and musicians, and bills itself as "The Cajun Music Capital of the World". Consequently, Mamou figures into a number of song titles (such as "'Tit Galop Pour Mamou," "Valse de Grand Mamou," "Mamou Two-Step," and "Mamou Hot Step") and lyrics, as well as band names (such as Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys). Mamou is also home of the world-famous Fred's Lounge, which features live Cajun music every Saturday morning. Each year the town holds a Courir de Mardi Gras.

Education

Public schools in Evangeline Parish are operated by the Evangeline Parish School Board. Three campuses serve the town of Mamou – Mamou Elementary School (Grades PK–4), Mamou Upper Elementary (Grades 5–8), and Mamou High School (Grades 9–12). Mamou Upper Elementary and Mamou High School are located on the same campus.

Courir de Mardi Gras, Mamou
Courir de Mardi Gras in Mamou, 2006

Notable people

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Mamou (Luisiana) para niños

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