What do you remember about old Lafayette?

[Taureau]

Well, I remember when.....picking cotton by hand paid a
whopping 2 cents a pound and pulling weeds in the rice fields
paid even more, $5.00 a day. Wow! I also remember working
at a local wholesaler; when minimum wage was $1.40 per hour.
Jacob's had the best fried chicken. I really miss that oak tree
across the street at Toby's Oak Grove Restaurant at the 4 corners. The parts house can still have my parking spot; I do not
plan on using it, ever.
Remember when going to the movies, always had a car tune before the feature presentation and always a double feature. I
remember the "indicator" when it was time for the projector
operator to switch movie reels; do you? Back then, almost all of
the movies were "Cowboy" movies or Westerns; Nothing like
broke **** Mountain. Thank Goodness! They went around the
same rocks over and over again. Come to think of it; it was really bad special effects or no special effects. I wonder how
did they keep their hats on; even while fighting!

[zoe10850]

The "Pat". right, I was lost !! Was nothing like the 'Grand" today. The Plaza was state of the art with their comfy seats when it moved in, better than the Westwood.

I like the Henry Clay quote. Wish all elected officials would remember that.

[jaguar]

Hey Cajunguy ... I've been out of town. I don't remember the other theater. Must've been before my time. I loved going to movies at the Jefferson because it had a balcony and, if you explored behind some of those mysterious closed doors, you'd find empty rooms and hidden staircases.

I recall distinctively how devastated I was when I went to see a Charlie Brown movie at the Center Cinema, and they'd bumped admission up from 50 cents to 75 cents. My parents had given us each $1, which covered admission, coke and popcorn back then. I had to do without one, and it was probably the popcorn.

I remember seeing Saturday Night Fever and Grease at the Nona--and at least the first Halloween movie with Jamie Lee Curtis. Remember the Nona had that hallway that sloped down. Kids (including me) would run or roll down it. I also remember seeing Old Yeller there. (*wipes tear, sniff*)

I remember the old library and checking out the book "Horton Hatches the Egg." It remains my No. 1 favorite Dr. Seuss book. "I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful, 100 PERCENT!"

I remember opening my first savings account in the mid 60s at First National Bank downtown and thinking my savings book looked like a big raisin.

Remember when the Harlaam Globetrotters would play at Blackham Coliseum? We got autographs from Meadowlark Lemon and Curley. I also asked a team member from the "losing" team for his autograph because no one else was asking for it.

And, I can't believe this, I've forgotten the main memory I wanted to post because all these others keep flooding my mind! I shall return ...

[jaguar]

Now I remember!

Paul Thibeaux on KVOL on Saturday and Sunday afternoons ... GET DOWN, GET DOWN, GET DOWN!!! And wasn't Kenny Hazelette on KVOL too?

KVOL was the hot station before everyone started going FM. KPEL was located in the Oil Center on Audubon Blvd. I heard a rumor that one of the original managers of KTDY chose those particular call letters because they could be construed as an abbreviation for a part of the female anatomy. But that's just gossip.

[jaguar]

Does anyone remember the exact year Congress St. was extended to Guilbeau Road? It seems it was around the time of the Lafayette High fire ... in 1973?

[zoe10850]

Very late 1973, but most likely 1974.

[fubar]

The downtown theatre next to the Jefferson was the Azalea. It got condemmed and torn down much earlier than the Jefferson. I remember going there for the Saturday morning Matinee's which included a cartoon and old western. The cost was something like .25cents or so.
I also remember the early "Bonnie & Clyde" movie - not named that but was about them. The theatre brought the actual car in which they were killed. It was on a trailer and you could go up to it and put your finger in the bullet holes.
Don't forger the Wagon Wheel on Johnston Street. The Nesbitt bottling company on Pinhook (where Doe's is located).
The Town House was originally on South Buchanan street - basically where Iberia Bank (previously LBA and Guaranty Bank) is located. I used to go in as a kid and see the slot machines in the bar area.
Of course there was the Heymann's Nursery (now the oil center).
Who remembers the Southwester Relays at the old football field? We used to go over as kids and volunteer to work on the field doing things like moving the hurdles for the events.
So much more to add....
Fubar

[Cajunguy]

Give that man a bag of popcorn. It was indeed the Azalea Theater.

Gotcha beat on the admission price though. We used to get in the Jefferson, with our school ID cards for a whopping 9 cents on Saturday afternoons. (Dang, am I really THAT old?).

The Wagon Wheel escapes my memory, as does the Nesbitt company, but I do indeed remember the Southwestern Relays at the old McNaspy stadium. I ran track for a couple of years at the old Cathedral High School, and we ran in the relays there.

Next?

.

[Taureau]

Fubar, You have a great memory. How old are you? Sounded
like you may have had more information. If so, post it. We would
love to hear em. Thanks.

[Taureau]

Remember when most telephone numbers started with
CE and then the last 4 digits? We thought we were down
town.

[fubar]

I am 61 and am from an old Lafayette family (since about 1763 or so). I was in the first class at Fatima, then Myrtle Place (we called it murder place) then on to Cathedral.
We would go to mass at the Cathedral and stop at Keller's afterwards for donuts and cinnamon rolls.
Who remembers the Half Shell restaurant on Johnston Street? There was even one by Cathedral High for a few years.
Snack's was also called Derouselle's
The Pitt Grill's were about the only place to eat late at night. I understand they were named after the grill at the Pitt Drive Inn in Lake Charles.
Of course mention was made about the Twin Drive Inn. We used to go get burgers at Judice Inn and my brother and I would watch the big screen out of the back of the car window.
We used to shop on Main Street. Best stores were Heymann's (Remember when they got the escalator) and Teche Drugs (still there). Heymann's food store sold fresh cake donuts - just could never get enough of them.
First TV station to be received in Lafayette was Channel 6 out of New Orleans (or was it 4) Memorable program had thingy Van d**e with a morning Kid Show. Anyway a lot of snow on the screen (black and white of course). Baton Rouge Channel 2 came on next then, finally Channel 10 opened in Lafayette. Everyone had outside aerials with rotators so you could get Baton Rouge (2 and 9), Lake Charles (7) and Alexandria (5) was well as 3 and 10. No stupid Cox Cable adds everywhere.
Hub City Ford was downtown close to Cathedral.
The Post Office was downtown where the office building is located that was built out of the parking garage (which never worked - called the Pigionerre by the locals)
Where the old Federal Courthouse was located on Jefferson was a school then a used car lot.
Paul's Jewelry Store was on Jefferson Street next to what was Abdallas.
There were three five and dimes on Jefferson.
McCrory's, Woolworth and I forget the last name.
Well enough for now, I will try and get my memory cells going some more later.
I do have a very old listing of the original stores and places from the early 1900's in downtown Lafayette, that I will have to scan and post somewhere
fubar

[Cajunguy]

fubar said:

Who remembers the Half Shell restaurant on Johnston Street? There was even one by Cathedral High for a few years.

I don't recall the one on Johnston St., but ate many a lunch at the one across from Cathedral High. In those days, Juniors and Seniors were allowed to leave the campus at lunch time. (Would you believe that Juniors and Seniors were also allowed to smoke on campus? HORRORS!!! I remember Father Edwards used to walk over from the church rectory and bum cigarettes from us.) Boy have times changed! (Off the record, I was in the class of '59 for anyone who might wonder about the timeline.)

There was another restaurant on Buchanan St. between W. Vermillion and the courthouse we used to go to also. Don't recall the name of it, but the owner/chief cook/bottle washer was a guy called Peppy. (Think that was a nickname - not sure) so we always called the place "Peppy's". Dang but his burgers were good.

fubar said:

Hub City Ford was downtown close to Cathedral.

Yup, remember that. I even tried my hand at selling cars there for a VERY short time. Just wasn't what I was cut out to do.

fubar said:

There were three five and dimes on Jefferson. McCrory's, Woolworth and I forget the last name.

The other one was a Morgan and Lindsey store. I remember that because I had an uncle who was the manager for the Morgan and Lindsey in New Iberia for many years. (He used to bring my cousins and I out of date comic books about once a month. Stacks and stacks of 'em. Hardly ever had to by comic books.)

[jaguar]

Fubar, thanks for all that wonderful information. Father Edwards bumming cigarettes?!? ;D I slightly remember him, but that seems to fit his warm, open persona. When I was at Lafayette High in the 70s, seniors were allowed to leave for lunch. Today, it seems each high school has to be run like a minimum security prison--for everyone's sake.

I still remember our CE phone number: CE2-6137. Then on the southside, around the late 60s, the 984 prefix was introduced. I thought our new number was pretty cool.

There was a Woolworth's in the Oil Center in that medical strip area. It had a soda fountain, etc. We bought a lot of clothes at The Fair, and bought groceries at the A&P. It was closed on Sundays and usually by 6 or 7 p.m. during the week.

Heymann's was an awesome store. It had everything. It was also the only place in town to buy uniforms, if I remember correctly. It's where we bought my first Brownie uniform.

Wormser's on E. St. Mary was the hoity toity store. And who remember La Parisienne at Jefferson and Lee?

Speaking of the Jefferson, I had a boyfriend who worked there in high school. One of his jobs was to chase the rats and club them with a big stick, especially if they ran in front of the screen during a show!

[Cajunguy]

jaguar said:

Fubar, thanks for all that wonderful information. Father Edwards bumming cigarettes?!? ;D I slightly remember him, but that seems to fit his warm, open persona.

It did indeed fit his persona. That little tidbit was meant with a fond remembrance of the good Father. He was our pal, and like a big brother to us "Cathedral Boys". He was a young priest at the time and we were able to relate with him very well. Oh, yeah, he bummed cigs from us, but stayed around talking and passing the time of day with us. We always enjoyed having him come around, which he did many days.

[zoe10850]

Well Fubar, when we had a clerk of court a few years ago, a lot of those places you mentioned were posted (pictures) in the courthouse. Many people would come and reminisce when looking at old places and people. I think it should be continued, but of course, the courthouse is no longer a friendly place what with the security concerns and all. You cannot even bring a camera into a public building. What is with that ? How can you legally be stopped from shooting pictures ?

[fubar]

I understand that the courthouse camera policy is dual. One is to prevent the public (especially the attorneys and abstractors) from making photos of the PUBLIC documents and cheating the clerk of his per page copy costs (he has to make money somehow to pay for all of the employees about half of whom actuall work - and thank goodness for the ones that do work) and the other is the judge's rule of no cameras in the courtroom.
The photos were Dan Guilliot's project. A great contribution to Lafayette and Acadiana. No longer a policy as 1) the new clerk does not care about such things and 2) Mr Stephens, the photogrpaher who did the actual work, died. While it lasted a lot of really great photos were brought out of private collections to be shared by all.

[zoe10850]

I think the camera business is so no one snaps a photo of the clerk doing nothing. like you could photograph documents on a scale to make a living ! I think a lot of people miss Mr Guilliot, a fine public official and old southern gentleman. He was a public servant, much unlike what we have now.

[coolboy]

I remember opening my first checking account at our local bank...First National Bank. Since then, my bank account went from First National to Bank One to Chase. My father used to borrow money for his business and he knew the banker well. He went into Chase the other day for a loan and they put him on the phone with an operator in North Carolina! He actually had to borrow money over the phone.

I remember when Lafayette consisted of a lot of Mom & Pop stores. Big businesses have come in, which in a way is good, but I do miss that personal relationship we used to have with the local businesses. That's why my wife and I make the trek over to Poche's in Cecilia to eat. It's a drive, but that's one of the few places that still have that down home feel to it. Plus the food is great.

[TBEAR]

Poches is good, haven't been there in awhile. And your right coolboy it was nice like to go into a hardware store and speak to the guy you always knew who had the knowledge to help you find exactly what you needed, and usually it was a decent price, then you have people like guidrys hardware who take advantage of them being the only one in town who had what you were looking for and boy did you pay for it, that I think is why people were glad to see big corps come into the picture, for the sometimes lower prices over those greedy little mom an pops stores that charged you about 300% over what it cost them. Mind you not all did that, but the ones that did or do, get what they deserve.

IE: the other day I went into guidrys hardware looking for one of those towel or shamy wringers, the only place I could find the heavy duty one in Lafayette was there and they wanted $150.00, I said what? Got on the internet and for the same model, no shipping, I paid $82.00 Stuff like that is what makes those mom and pops ridiculous. And yeah yall dont say it, I know it was still alot of money but it's adjustable and I use it to eat boiled crabs too, works great to crush the crab shell.

[fubar]

Other older Lafayette area eateries:
Dave & Lou's Top Hat. Originally on Pinhook by the bottling plant. The place burned and it moved off of Jefferson Street a few blocks away. This was the college hangout. Dave & Lou were tops. They took care of us, fed us when we were broke, even lent us $ for haircuts if we had none. Shorty was one of the car hops and the best food was the batter frys and onion rings.

The Skunk: High school hangout on Pinhook but long gone. The cut was that the there were several rows for parking (also carhop service). The further back one parked (with your date, of course) the more you were "up to"..... It was fun to see a girl from Mt Carmel park in the back row and then go to church the next day - as we all "knew" what she had been "up to" in the back row.

Blue Note lounge. It was originally on Pinhook where it ended around the War Memorial. When Pinhook was straigntened to the 4 lane it was moved off of General Mouton. Best place to dance slow with you date.

Mulate's & Paul's Pair O' Dice - Breaux Bridge, not Lafayette. Proof that the drinking age in Lafayette was 15, not 18. Your driver's license allowed you to drive to Pont Breaux and partake of alcohol at either place, where the rule was you had to be tall enough to put your $ on the bar in order to buy a beer. Each had a "Back room" with a continuous Bouree game going.

Landry's Palladium - great place for frat parties and other misbehaving.

Fernand Stutes' Bar, Grill, Pool Hall, Barber shop and Justice of Peace. It was on Ridge Road right after the turn off from Johnston. Outside of the City Limits - it was the best place to buy beer (remember the blue laws) on Sunday. Best part was the Fernand would have a meal to go with the beer. A Platonic place to enjoy a Sunday away from home.

Signorelli's - also not in Lafayette - it was in St Martinville. Best place for live bands and groups. Cover charge but he had some entertainment. Best was Esquerita (Green Door was his best song) He was the first amorphously dressed type of entertainer. - One book said he looked like the front of a Lincoln Continental. He was far ahead of Prince and the others of that type. Of course there were the Swamp Pop groups as well.

The Y Cafe in Broussard - where the old road from New Iberia to Lafayette split into a "Y"... Great seafood and burgers.

The Henderson places - during the time of meatless Friday's for Catholics - seafood was king and a large part of Lafayette would head to Henderson for crawfish, etc. Pat's and Las's were the two best. This was before I-10 so you had to go the "back way" through Breaux Bridge and by the "Atomic Bar".

Enough for now, I will add more later.
fubar