INFORMATION: OUR CITY, PARISH, STATE
CITY OF CROWLEY
Crowley, the parish seat of Acadia Parish, was founded January 4,1887 by C.C. Duson and his brother W.W. Duson. The city was named for Patrick C. Crowley, an Irish road master for the railroad. Currently the city has a population of almost 14,000 people. Crowley is a great community filled with friendly neighbors and an allaround excellent quality of life. See for yourself why it is truly a most unique city.
What about the climate? The climate of Crowley and Louisiana is largely fantastic for three seasons of the year – autumn, winter and spring. Autumn is perhaps our most beautiful season. October afternoons have temperatures in the high 70s and morning lows near 60. It is also our driest month of the year. Winters are mild, despite the occasional arctic chill. January afternoon temperatures range from 56 to 62 degrees and snow is rare. Spring temperatures are similar to autumn, but come with more rainfall. The average date of the last frost in southern Louisiana occurs in mid-February, so the growing season is relatively long compared to other portions of the country. Summer, of course, brings heat and humidity. Louisiana summers can be slightly uncomfortable for some, with afternoon high temperatures in the low to mid 90s. If you are tired of those bone chilling cold days and plowing snow from your driveway is getting old - leave the cold behind! Crowley may be just the place for you. Our weather is almost always right for enjoying the beautiful outdoors – and there’s plenty to do here in Crowley.
ACADIA PARISH
During the French regime, Acadia Parish was a part of the
district known as Poste des Opelousas (later known as St.
Landry Parish) from which several southwest parishes were
formed. Under United States jurisdiction, Opelousas
became the seat of all legal transactions. As more and more
small communities sprang up in the area, long distances of
travel became a hardship. St. Landry Representative J.C.
Lyons, of Plaquemine Brulee, in 1886 introduced a bill
into the Louisiana legislature calling for the creation and
organization of the parish. The suggested name for the
parish was subsequently changed to Acadia. On October 6,
1886, the election was held to decide if St. Landry Parish
would be divided. The vote was 2,516 for and 1,521 against
and Acadia Parish was created by the vote of the people.
There was a bitter fight as to which town would be parish
seat. In an election in March 1887, the city of Crowley was
chosen with 698 votes, while Rayne received 560 and
Prairie Hayes 519.
Acadia parish now has a population of over 58,000 people
and includes the cities of Crowley, Church Point, Rayne,
Estherwood, Mermentau, Iota and Morse.
STATE OF LOUISIANA
Located in the southern United States bordering the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana was admitted as the 18th state in 1812. Part of the vast region claimed by La Salle for France in 1682, it was first successfully settled in 1718 with the foundation of New Orleans. Baton Rouge is the capital and, as of 2005, the largest city. The current population of the state is 4,490,000 people. The state is made up of 64 parishes which consist of many cities, towns and villages.