Topics in History

The Morgan Effigy, by Gary E. Theall. The Vermilion Historical Society is privileged to own one of the outstanding works of Native American art. Learn how it was found.
How Vermilion Parish Became Part of Louisiana, by Gary E. Theall. If LaSalle claimed all of the land drained by the Mississippi as Louisiana, and Vermilion Parish is not drained by the Mississippi, how did Vermilion Parish become part of Louisiana?
Pere Megret and the Founding of Abbeville, by Kenneth A. Dupuy. The authoritative account of how Abbeville was founded, written by Abbeville's premier historian.
The Naming of Abbeville. Was it named Abbeville, Abbville, or La Chapelle?
Abbeville—The Early Years, by Kenneth A. Dupuy. Read about the growth and development of Abbeville from a town of dirt roads and board sidewalks to a city with all of the modern conveniences and facilities.
The Early Sheriffs of Vermilion Parish, by Kenneth A. Dupuy. Here is an authoritative list of the early sheriffs, with verified references.
A Fatal Shooting on the Vermilion River. This is Ken Dupuy's account of the trial of Martin Bagley for the murder of John Ford.
The Masonic Temple. Ken Dupuy recounts the history of the Abbeville Masonic Temple in downtown Abbeville.
The Coming of the Railroad, compiled by Gary E. Theall. Read the reports from the Abbeville Meridional from 1878 to 1892, detailing the long and often frustrating struggle to bring the railroad to Abbeville.
The Railroad Celebration. Enjoy Ken Dupuy's re-creation of the celebration held upon the completion of the railroad to Abbeville on December 15, 1892.
A Ride on the Train, by Kenneth A. Dupuy. Take an imaginary trip on one of the first passenger trains to leave Abbeville.
Fourth of July 1889 and 1898, by Kenneth A. Dupuy. A report of the parade held in Abbeville on a steamy Fourth of July in 1889, and a vivid description of the celebration on Magdalen Square on July 4, 1898, including the raising of a 10x20 foot U.S. flag ninety feet above the square.
Abbeville, Louisiana: As It Was In 1894, by Kenneth A. Dupuy. A description of the buildings, events, and living conditions in Abbeville, Louisiana, in the year 1894.
An Abbeville Authoress, by Gary E. Theall. Was Mrs. Ophelia Cook Jones of Abbeville wrongfully deprived of credit for authoring the magnificent poem, "What My Lover Said?"
Cannon From the War for Texas Independence, by Kenneth A. Dupuy. See how a cannon from the San Jacinto battlefield came to spend some time in Vermilion Parish.
The Fire of 1903, by Kenneth A. Dupuy. An account of the devastating Concord Street fire of 1903.
The Fenwick Sanitarium (Palms Hospital), by Beatrice B. McClellan. The story of the beautiful Palms Hospital, formerly Fenwick Sanitarium, written by the widow of one of the doctors who owned an interest for a time. Many of the people of Vermilion Parish were either born there, treated there, or had relatives who died there. This paper was written in 1974 for the Abbeville Woman's Club.
Gueydan Liquor Raid, by Patricia Heard Saltzman. This is the story of a prohibition era liquor raid in Gueydan, Louisiana, and the part that the sunken vessel I'm Alone may have played in it. Ironically, the raid supplied the local residents with liquor for quite some time.
Animals of the Past, a compilation of articles from the Abbeville Meridional concerning animals in the 1800s. Read what the newspaper had to say about the dogs, cats, wildcats, raccoons, alligators, birds, horses, turtles, bears, bats, monkeys, crawfish, opossums, snakes, squirrels and rats of the past.
Obituaries of the first 100 people buried in Graceland Cemetery, compiled by Gary E. Theall. Read the obituaries from the Abbeville Meridional about the lives and accomplishments of the first 100 people buried in Graceland Cemetery (established 1908). This work was originally done for the Graceland Cemetery board of directors.
World War II—Eleven Abbeville Heroes. Profiles of eleven Abbeville veterans killed as a result of enemy action in World War II, and the ceremony dedicating the eleven live oak trees on Donald Frederick Boulevard to their memories.
Biographies of some of the people buried in the Old Masonic Cemetery, by Kenneth A. Dupuy. Short biographies of the people buried in the Old Masonic Cemetery in Abbeville, which was operational until about 1906.
Abbeville Buildings, as seen from the rooftop of the old Audrey Hotel (now City Hall), in the form of a slideshow. Roll your mouse cursor over the buildings for more information.

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This page was last updated on 12/07/2008.