Welcome To KEY TO THE CITY's Page For
Lafayette
Lafayette Parish, Louisiana
ZipCodes
70501, 70503, 70506, 70507, 70508
Motto
"The Heart of French Louisiana - Genuine Cajun, Uniquely Creole"
Page Contents for Lafayette, Louisiana
History & History-related items
Chamber of Commerce.
Organizations, Churches, and Sports.
Statistics & Facts
The Louisiana state capital is Baton Rouge.
The population of Lafayette is approximately 105,219 (1995), 120623 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 40,379 (1990), 49444 (2010).
The amount of land area in Lafayette is 106.049 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Lafayette is 41 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 0.138 sq kilometers.
The distance from Lafayette to Washington DC is 1061 miles.
The distance to the Louisiana state capital is 56 miles. (as the crow flies)
Lafayette is positioned 30.21 degrees north of the equator and 92.02 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Lafayette average annual rainfall is 61 inches per year
The average winter temperature is 51.9 degrees F.
The average summer temperature is 81.9 degrees F.
Location
Between New Orleans and Houston on Interstate 10, about 35 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico. Lafayette is 52 miles from Baton Rouge.Return to Index
Geography
in a geographical area of forests and prairies interlaced with bayous, swamps and marshes.
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Climate
warm and moist. There is a long growing season and plenty of rainfall.
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Weather
moderate. Due to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, there is plenty of hot and humid weather in the summer. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms each day are the norm from June through August. There are about 214 days of sunshine each year. During a year's time, there are usually only five days of sub-freezing weather. Snowfall is very rare, but does occur once every few years. Hurricane season lasts from June 1st to November 30th.
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History & History Related Items
Lafayette and Lafayette Parish is part of an area known as Acadiana. This area is made up of eight parishes and is also known as the "Cajun Heartland." The eight parishes are Acadia, Iberia, Evangeline, Lafayette, Vermilion, St. Mary, St. Martin and St. Landry. Lafayette is located in the center of this entire area.
People of this area are often known as Acadians or Cajuns. The name came from the Acadian settlers who had to leave Canada in 1755. They brought with them not only their French-Canadian customs, but also their love of merriment, a strong work ethic and their ability to live off the land. Many of these people still speak French as a second language.
The Acadians reached the Lafayette area in Louisiana in 1763 when they came from Nova Scotia. They received lands near Lafayette on the Vermilion River. This was a raw area with little settlement due to the local Indians there. The Attakapas were feared even by other Indian tribes because they were cannibals.
One early settler, Jean Mouton, who was a cotton planter here, donated land to the Catholic congregation in 1821. The new church was blessed in the name of St. John. Mr. Mouton wanted to lay out a town and named it Vermilionville for the nearby river. He named streets and laid out lots. The town quickly grew in prominence and was incorporated in 1836. It was re-incorporated in 1869. In 1884, the name was changed to Lafayette.
See this history page for Lafayette.
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The settling of Lafayette
1763The founding of Lafayette
1821The incorporation of Lafayette
1836Attractions
Lafayette Natural Museum and Planetarium
637 Girard Park Dr.
Lafayette, LA 70503-2803
Phone: 337-291-5544
Lafayette Planetarium
637 Girard Park Dr.
Lafayette, LA 70503-2803
Phone: 337-291-5544
What is "Cajun?" Go to this page and find out!!
Acadian Cultural Center
501 Fisher Road
Lafayette, Louisiana 70508
Phone: 337-232-0789
Please call to confirm hours of operation
The center tells the story of the Acadians who settled the prairies, bayous and marshes of southern Louisiana.
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Lafayette City Government
Lafayette Parish Clerk of CourtsLafayette Chief Administration Officer
705 West University Avenue
Lafayette, LA 70506
Phone: (337) 291-8311
Lafayette City Council
1010 Lafayette Street
Lafayette, LA 70501-6859
Phone: (337) 291-8800
Lafayette City President
705 West University Avenue
Lafayette, LA 70506
Phone: (337) 291-8300
Lafayette Council Clerk
1010 Lafayette Street
Lafayette, LA 70501
Phone: (337) 291-8810
Le Centre International de Lafayette
735 Rue Jefferson
Post Office Box 4017-C
Lafayette, Louisiana 70502
Tel. (337) 291-5474
Le Centre International de Lafayette was created as a division of the City of Lafayette in October of 1989, showing the city's commitment to international trade and tourism development.
Lafayette Animal Shelter
613 West Pont Des Mouton Road
Lafayette, LA 70507
Phone: (337) 291-5644
Lafayette Chamber
The Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce804 E. St. Mary
P.O. Box 51307
Lafayette, Louisiana 70505
Phone: (337) 233-2705
Lafayette Organizations
The Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce804 E. St. Mary
P.O. Box 51307
Lafayette, Louisiana 70505
Phone: (337) 233-2705
Lafayette Libraries
Lafayette Parish Library301 W Congress St.
Lafayette, LA 70501-6823
Phone: 337-261-5775
Lafayette Schools
Lafayette Parish School System113 Chaplin Drive
Lafayette, Louisiana 70508
P. O. Drawer 2158
Lafayette, Louisiana 70502-2158
Phone: (337) 236-6800
HIGHER EDUCATION
Louisiana Technical College
1101 Bertrand Dr.
Lafayette, LA 70506-4109
Phone: 337-262-5962 Lafayette
Miscellany
The population for Lafayette was:1990 - 101,852
1995 - 105,219
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