The city of Lafayette is home to more than 110,000 people now, but in the late 1800's it was one of the smallest towns in the area.

Dr. Carl A. Brasseaux, a history professor at the University of Louisiana, said "Lafayette for example couldn't hold a candle to New Iberia in terms of economic importance."

So, what was the city like?

“A very small community...a village,” Brasseaux said. “It consisted of a few professionals, artisans who basically provide services to the farming and ranching people in the area.”

Lafayette was originally carved out of the western part of St. Martin Parish.

Mr. Kaliste Saloom Jr., a former Lafayette judge, said "they couldn't rule everything from St. Martin Ville so they started to create different parishes."

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