Ville Platte, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ville Platte, Louisiana
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| City of Ville Platte | |
| Etymology: Ville Platte, French ('Ville' being the French word for 'town' and 'platte' meaning 'flat') | |
Location of Ville Platte 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 | 1824 |
| Incorporated as a town | 1858 |
| Qualified to be incorporated as a city | 1950 |
| Founded by | Marcellin Garand |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.02 sq mi (10.40 km2) |
| • Land | 4.02 sq mi (10.40 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 72 ft (22 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 6,303 |
| • Density | 1,569.08/sq mi (605.85/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
70586
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| Area code(s) | 337 |
| FIPS code | 22-78715 |
Ville Platte is the largest city in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is also the parish seat, which means it's where the main government offices for the parish are located. In 2020, about 6,303 people lived there. The city's name comes from French words, meaning "flat town." This name describes the area's flat land, which is different from the hillier areas to the north.
Contents
History of Ville Platte
The area around Ville Platte was first settled in the late 1700s, when Louisiana was under Spanish rule. The earliest records of people living right where Ville Platte is now date back to the 1780s.
A popular story says that the city was founded by Marcellin Garand. He was a major in the French army during the time of Napoleon. In 1824, Garand bought one of the first two plots of land that were officially marked out in what is now Ville Platte. The second plot was bought by Doctor Robert Windex. These plots were part of William O'Donegan's estate. This event is seen as the true beginning of Ville Platte.
The first post office in Ville Platte opened in 1842. Marcellin Garand himself was the postmaster from 1842 to 1848.
Geography and Nature Around Ville Platte
Ville Platte is located in the eastern part of Evangeline Parish. It covers about 10.4 square kilometers (4.02 square miles) of land. There is almost no water area within the city limits.
Two main roads pass through Ville Platte. U.S. Route 167 goes through the city as Main Street and Lasalle Street. This highway leads southeast about 17 miles to Opelousas and north about 52 miles to Alexandria. Louisiana Highway 10 also goes through the city and leads northwest about 28 miles to Oakdale.
Just 8 miles north of Ville Platte, you can find Chicot State Park. This is Louisiana's largest state park, covering about 6,400 acres. It has rolling hills and water, and you can see many animals like deer and raccoons there.
Population Facts
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 135 | — | |
| 1880 | 149 | 10.4% | |
| 1900 | 163 | — | |
| 1910 | 603 | 269.9% | |
| 1920 | 1,364 | 126.2% | |
| 1930 | 1,722 | 26.2% | |
| 1940 | 3,721 | 116.1% | |
| 1950 | 6,633 | 78.3% | |
| 1960 | 7,512 | 13.3% | |
| 1970 | 9,692 | 29.0% | |
| 1980 | 9,201 | −5.1% | |
| 1990 | 9,037 | −1.8% | |
| 2000 | 8,145 | −9.9% | |
| 2010 | 7,430 | −8.8% | |
| 2020 | 6,303 | −15.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Who Lives in Ville Platte?
The 2020 United States census counted 6,303 people living in Ville Platte. There were 3,007 households and 1,686 families in the city.
Here's a look at the different groups of people living in Ville Platte in 2020:
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (not Hispanic) | 1,864 | 29.57% |
| Black or African American (not Hispanic) | 4,069 | 64.56% |
| Native American | 6 | 0.1% |
| Asian | 52 | 0.83% |
| Other/Mixed | 232 | 3.68% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 80 | 1.27% |
Education in Ville Platte
Public schools in Evangeline Parish are managed by the Evangeline Parish School Board. Ville Platte has three public schools:
- James Stephens Montessori School (for grades PK-4)
- Ville Platte Elementary School (for grades PK-4)
- Ville Platte High School (for grades 5-12)
There are also two private schools in the city:
- Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School: A Roman Catholic school for grades K-12.
- Christian Heritage Academy: A Christian school for grades PK-12.
Culture and Traditions
Ville Platte is located northwest of Louisiana's famous Cajun country. The town is well-known for its delicious smoked meat and a type of music called swamp pop. It even calls itself the "Smoked Meat Capital of the World." The Louisiana Legislature has officially named Ville Platte the "Swamp Pop Capital of the World" because of its long history of helping swamp pop music grow.
Ville Platte has strong ties to Creole and Cajun cultures. This includes their food, music, and language. Many people in the city and parish speak French. Ville Platte is just north of the area where Creole music, also known as Zydeco music, began. Zydeco has become a very important part of Louisiana's culture around the world.
Ville Platte hosts two big festivals every year:
- The Louisiana Cotton festival, which happens at the same time as the Le Tournoi.
- The Festival de la Viande Bouccanee (Smoked Meat Festival).
People in Ville Platte and nearby areas also take part in the traditional Mardi Gras celebrations, similar to those in Mamou.
A famous radio host named Jim Soileau, known as the "Voice of KVPI," has been on the radio for over 50 years. He still hosts the French News and co-hosts "La Tasse de Café" ("The Cup of Coffee") on Monday and Wednesday mornings. His voice is very recognizable in Acadiana.
The Louisiana Swamp Pop Museum is located in Ville Platte, inside an old railway station.
Places to Visit
- Chicot State Park
- Alexis LaTour House
- Flat Town Music Co
See also
In Spanish: Ville Platte para niños
