The library will be CLOSED for Winter Break from Saturday, Dec. 21 through Sunday, Jan. 5.
Fun Fact Friday with Special Collections
Fri, 05/26/2023 - 12:24pm
Today, we are taking a look at one of our digital exhibits, the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.
The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 inundated 26,000 square miles of land in seven states and forced nearly 1 million people from their homes. It is estimated that it cost nearly $400 million in losses. In Louisiana, 10,000 square miles in 20 parishes were flooded. Due to the design and inadequate height and strength of the levee system, several levees failed, particularly at Melville and Bayou des Glaises.
In the Acadiana area, the flood inundated Arnaudville, Breaux Bridge, St. Martinville, New Iberia, Jeanerette, Franklin, and Morgan City. SLI, now UL Lafayette, housed some of the 20,000 refugees that flocked to Lafayette for safety from the flood. The waters would not begin to recede until June of 1927.
More information about this flood can be found in the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 digital exhibit.
View more photos on the Special Collections Facebook Page.
Fun Fact Friday is brought to you by Special Collections.