EUNICE

The town of Eunice, founded in 1894, is named for Eunice Pharr Duson, wife of pioneer land developer C. C. Duson. Starting out with 160 acres of prairie, he bought from a local landowner, Duson laid out lots, arranged for Southern Pacific to extend a railroad line to the area, then started advertising for buyers in newspapers. In September 1894, the first two trains rolled into the depot, carrying prospective buyers from throughout Louisiana, as well as people from Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama. The auction lasted the entire day, and when it was over, almost 150 lots had been sold at an average price of $100 each.

Today, with a population of about 12, 000, Eunice is a lively city that actively celebrates its history and French culture, calling itself the Prairie Cajun Capital. Lying amid rice fields and crawfish ponds glistening in the sun and decorated with the colorful wildflowers of the prairie, the city of Eunice offers visitors the opportunity to learn the story of the area's extensive Cajun culture.

The history of the area's Acadian people, who are called Cajun today, unfolds at the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, part of the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve, in downtown Eunice. The center not only contains exhibits and artifacts that have been meticulously assembled and documented, it also hosts music sessions and native craft and cooking demonstrations.

The Liberty Center, right next door, provides the opportunity to step back in time and attend shows featuring Cajun bands. The dance floor at the bottom of the stage in this completely restored movie house is perfect for practicing the two-step and the waltz, the dances most favored by the locals.

Take a walking tour of downtown Eunice and be sure to drop in at the museum housed in the Eunice train depot and at the Cajun Music Hall of Fame and Museum. And along the way, feel free to step into the shops and sample the local cuisine. The people of Eunice will be happy to help make your visit to their unique city a memorable one.

EUNICE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & TOURIST CENTER
200 South C.C. Duson St., P.O. Box 508; (337) 457-2565; Mon-Fri 9 am-noon, 1 pm-4 pm; www.eunicechamber.com; Make this your first stop to find out about everything there is to see, hear, and eat in Eunice and in the surrounding area.