National Register of Historic Places listings in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana facts for kids
Hey there, history explorers! Did you know that all across the United States, there are special places that are super important because of their history or amazing design? These places are listed on something called the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a Hall of Fame for buildings, neighborhoods, and other cool spots!
In Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, we have 20 of these awesome places. They're all unique and tell stories about the past. This article will take you on a quick tour of some of these historic treasures. You can even see where many of them are on a map!
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation's historic places worth saving. It's like a special club for buildings, structures, objects, sites, and districts that are important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. When a place is added to the Register, it means it's recognized as a valuable part of our shared heritage.
This list helps people understand and protect these important spots. It encourages communities to take care of their historic buildings so future generations can enjoy them too. It's all about celebrating the stories and designs that make our country unique!
Historic Homes of Vermilion Parish
Many of the places on the National Register in Vermilion Parish are old houses. These homes often show us how people lived long ago and what kind of architecture was popular.
A La Bonne Veillee
This historic home is located northeast of Abbeville. Its name, "A La Bonne Veillee," sounds fancy, right? It means "at the good evening gathering" in French. This suggests it was a place where people gathered and shared stories, which is a big part of Louisiana's culture. It was added to the Register in 1984.
Ovide Broussard House
Found at 309 East St. Victor Street in Abbeville, the Ovide Broussard House is another beautiful example of historic architecture. It was listed in 1995. Imagine the families who lived here and the memories made within its walls!
Caldwell House
Also in Abbeville, at 105 East Vermilion Street, is the Caldwell House. This home joined the National Register in 1995. Each of these houses has its own unique style and story, showing us how homes have changed over time.
Chauviere House
The Chauviere House, located at 108 North Louisiana in Abbeville, was also added in 1995. These homes are like time capsules, giving us a peek into the past lives of people in Vermilion Parish.
Gordy House
At 503 Charity Street in Abbeville, you'll find the Gordy House. Listed in 1995, this house adds to the rich collection of historic homes in the area. It's amazing to see how many old houses are still standing and being cared for!
Landry Plantation House
The Landry Plantation House is located at 1320 Gallett Road in Youngsville. This larger historic property was added to the Register in 2002. Plantation houses often have a lot of history tied to them, reflecting the agricultural past of the region.
LeBlanc House
North of Erath, along Louisiana Highway 339, stands the LeBlanc House. This home was recognized in 1982. It's cool to think about how these houses were built without all the modern tools we have today.
Lyons House
The Lyons House, at 315 North St. Charles Street in Abbeville, joined the list in 1995. Abbeville clearly has many well-preserved historic homes!
Narrows Plantation House
Off Louisiana Highway 717, on the southern shore of Lake Arthur, is the Narrows Plantation House. This historic plantation was listed in 1985. Its location near the lake would have been very important for transportation and daily life in the past.
Perry House
In Perry, on Orange Drive, you'll find the Perry House. This home was added to the Register in 1987. Each house tells a part of the story of its town.
Dr. Joseph Angel Villien House
Located at 200 West Joseph Street in Maurice, the Dr. Joseph Angel Villien House was listed in 2001. This house belonged to a doctor, which means it might have seen many important moments in the community's health history.
James Hugh Williams House
The James Hugh Williams House, at 401 North St. Charles in Abbeville, is one of the more recently added homes, listed in 2014. It's great that new historic places are still being recognized!
Important Historic Districts
Sometimes, it's not just one building that's special, but a whole group of buildings or an entire area. These are called "historic districts." Vermilion Parish has a few of these too!
Abbeville Commercial Historic District
This district in Abbeville includes streets like Concord, State, Lafayette, and Jefferson. It was listed in 1987. This area likely contains many old shops and businesses that were important to the town's economy long ago. Imagine what it was like to shop there!
Abbeville Residential Historic District
Also in Abbeville, this district is roughly bounded by West Oak, West State, and Cherry Streets, and the Vermilion River. It was added in 1987. This area shows us how people lived and where their homes were located, often near the river for easy travel and resources.
Downtown Abbeville Historic District
This larger downtown area in Abbeville is bounded by State and 1st Streets, Vermilion Bayou, and Pere Megret and Concord Streets. It became a historic district in 1995. Downtown areas are often the heart of a town, full of important buildings and stories.
Other Notable Historic Places
Besides homes and districts, Vermilion Parish also has other types of historic places that are important.
Bank of Gueydan
In Gueydan, at 214 Main Street, stands the historic Bank of Gueydan. It was listed in 1990. Banks are often important buildings in a town, showing its growth and economic history.
Beard Congregational Church
The Beard Congregational Church, located at 402 Granger Street in Erath, is a significant religious building. It was added to the Register in 2015. Churches are often central to a community's history and culture.
Richard Cattle Auction Barn
At 1307 South Henry Street in Abbeville, you'll find the Richard Cattle Auction Barn. This unique historic site was listed in 1997. It tells us about the agricultural history of the area, especially the importance of cattle farming.
St. Mary Congregational Church
Another important church, the St. Mary Congregational Church, is at 213 South Louisiana Avenue in Abbeville. It was added in 1999. These churches are not just buildings; they are places where communities gathered for worship, celebrations, and support.
St. Mary Magdalen Church, Rectory, and Cemetery
This important group of buildings, including the church, its rectory (where the priest lives), and the cemetery, is located at Pere Megret and Main Street in Abbeville. It was listed in 1988. This site is a very important part of Abbeville's religious and community history, with many stories held within its grounds.
Images for kids
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The historic Bank of Gueydan.
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The Ovide Broussard House in Abbeville.
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The Caldwell House.
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The Chauviere House.
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A building in the Downtown Abbeville Historic District.
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The Gordy House.
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The Lyons House.
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The Richard Cattle Auction Barn.
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St. Mary Congregational Church.
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St. Mary Magdalen Church.
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The Dr. Joseph Angel Villien House.
