First National Bank
a.k.a. Hebert's Jewelry; Bank of New Roads
102 E. Main St., New Roads, LA Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The Louisiana Superdome, which opened in 1975, was the largest domed stadium in the world until 2009. It has hosted several major sporting events, including seven Super Bowls and five NCAA Final Four basketball tournaments.
In 1805, Pointe Coupee Parish was officially established by the territorial legislature of Orleans. The early economy of the parish was based on agriculture, particularly the cultivation of cotton and sugarcane. The fertile soil and access to the Mississippi River made it an ideal location for plantations, leading to the rise of a wealthy planter class.
During the Civil War, Pointe Coupee Parish experienced the impact of the conflict, with many plantations being destroyed. After the war, the economy shifted towards small-scale farming and the timber industry. Despite the challenges faced, the parish continued to grow and develop.
In the 20th century, Pointe Coupee Parish became known as the "Home of the Blues," with many blues musicians, such as Buddy Guy and Slim Harpo, hailing from the area. The parish also played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement, with local activists organizing sit-ins and protests.
Today, Pointe Coupee Parish is a blend of rural tradition and modern development. The area is known for its historic homes, beautiful landscapes, and vibrant community.
Pointe Coupee Parish Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana.
- Pre-1700s: Pointe Coupee Parish was home to Native American tribes, including the Appalousas, Avoyels, and Choctaws.
- 1699: French explorers discovered the area.
- 1722: Pointe Coupee became an official French colonial settlement.
- 1763: The area was ceded to Spain under the Treaty of Paris.
- 1779-1781: The parish was briefly under British control during the American Revolutionary War.
- 1804: Pointe Coupee Parish became part of the newly established Louisiana Territory.
- 1810: The West Florida Rebellion took place in the area, leading to its inclusion in the Territory of Orleans.
- 1822: Pointe Coupee Parish was officially established as a parish of the state of Louisiana.
- 1862-1865: The parish was occupied by Union troops during the Civil War.
- 1880s-1920s: Pointe Coupee experienced a significant economic boom due to the success of the sugar and cotton industries.
- 1930s: The Great Depression and the decline of the agricultural industry took a toll on the parish's economy.
- 1960s-1970s: Civil rights movements influenced the desegregation of schools and other public institutions in the parish.
- 1980s-present: Pointe Coupee Parish continues to be an agricultural hub, while also focusing on tourism and cultural preservation.