Fun Fact Friday with Special Collections

Today we will be talking about the anniversary of the Battle of Queue de Tortue.

Today in 1859, disputes between outlaws and vigilantes came to a head in the Battle of Queue de Tortue. This battle was the result of rising tensions between the Acadians and their “American” neighbors. The “Americans” formed a vigilante committee which grew to several hundred strong. They took 24 prisoners and gave the leaders a hundred lashes of the whip at the border between Lafayette and St. Landry parishes. In 1986, the movie Belizare the Cajun was released which chronicles this battle.

Fun Fact Friday with Special Collections

This week, we are highlighting two collections, the collections of Mary Alice Fontenot.

Born in 1910, she kicked off her best-known series with the publication of her first Clovis Crawfish book in 1961; however, she began her writing career as a journalist in the 1940s, writing features and book reviews for several Louisiana newspapers. In addition, she also hosted a radio show in Crowley and taught kindergarten.

Fun Fact Friday with Special Collections

This week we are celebrating the founding of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette!

On July 14, 1898, the state legislature passed Act 162 of the Louisiana General Assembly, which was introduced by Robert Martin of St. Martin Parish. This act created the Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute (SLII). Lafayette was selected as the future home of the school on Jan. 5, 1900.

Fun Fact Friday with Special Collections

Today we are going to talk about the Interstate System.

Begun in 1956, the Interstate System was a way to connect major cities with populations over 50,000 together via four-lane, divided highways. Inspired by the Reichsautobahn system in Germany, President Eisenhower was a huge supporter. In 1919, he experienced a crossing of part of the Lincoln Highway. These both inspired Eisenhower to push for a federal highway system that could support more cars and would link the US in case of the need for defense purposes.

Fun Fact Friday with Special Collections

Today, we are going to highlight the Louisiana Colonial Records Collection here in Special Collections.

Collection 59 - Louisiana Colonial Records contains materials regarding mostly 18th-19th century events occurring in colonial Louisiana, especially governing processes and the Cabildo. The collection contains photocopies of correspondence, legal papers, and land and slave sales. This collection contains physical items that are available for study.

Fun Fact Friday with Special Collections

Today we are going to celebrate the creation of Evangeline parish!

On June 15, 1908, the Louisiana Legislature voted to carve Evangeline Parish out of Northern St. Landry Parish. It was passed by unanimous vote and signed into law by Governor Sanders.

An election was held in Dec. of 1909 for voter approval and for voters to determine the parish seat. Voters overwhelmingly approved the creation of the new parish and chose Ville Platte as the parish seat.

Despite these overwhelming victories for the new parish, there were also a few setbacks.

Fun Fact Friday with Special Collections

This week we are highlighting the most recent exhibit of local cookbooks.

Whether referred to as Cajun, Creole, soul food, or just food, cuisine is an important part of everyday life here in south Louisiana. Many people have family recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation. Here in special collections, there are thousands of cookbooks displaying the wonderfully rich history of the cuisine of the area.

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