A gigantic map of all the cool plaques in the world. A project of 99% Invisible.

John Delafose

John Delafose    (1939-1994)   Born in rural Duralde, John Delafose began playing fiddle as a child, eventually learning harmonica and finally accordion.  He is best known for playing accordion...

John Delafose    (1939-1994)   Born in rural Duralde, John Delafose began playing fiddle as a child, eventually learning harmonica and finally accordion.  He is best known for playing...

  • louisiana
  • music
  • zydeco
  • opelousas

Amédé Ardoin (1898-1942)

Amédé  Ardoin, a Creole accordion player, laid the foundation for modern Creole and Cajun style music. He was known for his high pitched and expressive vocals. Growing up around Eunice and Mamou,...

Amédé  Ardoin, a Creole accordion player, laid the foundation for modern Creole and Cajun style music. He was known for his high pitched and expressive vocals. Growing up around Eunice and Mamou,...

  • louisiana
  • zydeco
  • music
  • cajun
  • opelousas

Wilson "Boozoo" Chavis (1930-2001)

Boozoo Chavis played accordion and sang in his native Creole French, A prolific songwriter, he is credited with zydeco's first commercial recording. Raised in a rural area of Lake Charles called...

Boozoo Chavis played accordion and sang in his native Creole French, A prolific songwriter, he is credited with zydeco's first commercial recording. Raised in a rural area of Lake Charles called...

  • louisiana
  • music
  • zydeco
  • opelousas
  • boozoo

Clifton Chenier (1925-1987)

Originally from Opelousas, Clifton Chenier was dubbed the "King of Zydeco" -- and often wore a crown and cape during performances. A significant force in popularizing zydeco, Clifton infused R & B...

Originally from Opelousas, Clifton Chenier was dubbed the "King of Zydeco" -- and often wore a crown and cape during performances. A significant force in popularizing zydeco, Clifton infused R & B...

  • louisiana
  • music
  • zydeco
  • opelousas
  • clifton chenier

Rockin' Dopsie (1932-1993)

Born in Carencro, Alton Rubin was a leading zydeco musician and crowd-pleasing performed who played to enthusiastic crowds at concerts and festivals throughout Europe and the Untied States. Dopsie...

Born in Carencro, Alton Rubin was a leading zydeco musician and crowd-pleasing performed who played to enthusiastic crowds at concerts and festivals throughout Europe and the Untied States....

  • louisiana
  • zydeco. music
  • opelousas

Roy Carrier (1947-2010)

A native of Lawtell, Roy Carrier learned to play in the traditional Creole style from his own father and later formed his own band. To earn a living, he worked as an offshore oil-driller and also...

A native of Lawtell, Roy Carrier learned to play in the traditional Creole style from his own father and later formed his own band. To earn a living, he worked as an offshore oil-driller and also...

  • louisiana
  • zydeco
  • music
  • opelousas

Canray Fontenot (1922-1995)

Canray Fontenot is considered the greatest Creole fiddler, known for his blues tonalities and sizable repertoire of French music and fiddle tunes, including many rags. Also a master songwriter, he...

Canray Fontenot is considered the greatest Creole fiddler, known for his blues tonalities and sizable repertoire of French music and fiddle tunes, including many rags. Also a master songwriter, he...

  • louisiana
  • music
  • zydeco
  • opelousas

Gold Star City

The City of Opelousas  Dedicates this perpetual memorial to honor our fallen heroes of St. Landry Parish who have made the ultimate sacrifice while defending the freedom of the United States of...

The City of Opelousas  Dedicates this perpetual memorial to honor our fallen heroes of St. Landry Parish who have made the ultimate sacrifice while defending the freedom of the United States...

  • louisiana
  • opelousas
  • gold star
  • military

Old LaCombe Hotel Site c. 1790-1926

Operating under several different names, a hotel once occupied this spot; an inn and tavern is recorded being here in the late 1700s. Most notably was the Eagle Hotel where the legislature...

Operating under several different names, a hotel once occupied this spot; an inn and tavern is recorded being here in the late 1700s. Most notably was the Eagle Hotel where the...

  • louisiana
  • opelousas

Manon's Corner

Named for Manon Baldwin, a Free Woman of Color and one of the first known businesswomen in Opelousas. The businesses she owned included a tavern and boarding house that were operated on this...

Named for Manon Baldwin, a Free Woman of Color and one of the first known businesswomen in Opelousas. The businesses she owned included a tavern and boarding house that were operated on this...

  • louisiana
  • women
  • african american
  • opelousas