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Port Barre, Louisiana

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Port Barre is a town in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 2,287 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Opelousas–Eunice Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is home to the Port Barre High School Red Devils.

Geography

Port Barre is located at 30°33′22″N 91°57′30″W / 30.55611°N 91.95833°W / 30.55611; -91.95833Invalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (30.556162, -91.958465)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 2,287 people, 867 households, and 625 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,075.5 people per square mile (802.7/km²). There were 952 housing units at an average density of 864.0/sq mi (334.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 71.88% White, 27.28% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.17% Asian, and 0.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.61% of the population.

There were 867 households out of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 17.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the town the population was spread out with 29.8% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $23,945, and the median income for a family was $29,279. Males had a median income of $30,761 versus $19,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,028. About 21.6% of families and 28.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.7% of those under age 18 and 29.2% of those age 65 or over.

History

Port Barre takes its name from Alex Charles Barre (born 1746, died 1829). Alex Charles Barre is one of the descendants of Guillaume Barre, French, born 1642 in St Valery, France and who settled about 1665 in the French West Indies, Martinique. Guillaume Barre met in Martinique Jean Roy (1625–1707) and Jean Hebert (1624) and the destinies of the three families were bound for ever. They left Martinique and settled in Louisiana. The Barre settled in Pointe Coupee, LA, where they met the Nezat (Pierre Nezat coming from Santo Domingo (French Saint Domingue,West part of Hispaniola) and the Provost (Nicolas Provost coming from Paris via Fort de Chartres, IL) .In 1771, Charles Alex Barre, French Creole, married in Pointe Coupee, LA, Magdelaine Decuir and both had 11 children. Three of their children married three Nezat. At this time, three Nezat married three Roy. The destinies of the families Barre, Nezat and Roy were bound for ever. And incest spread rapidly until it was wiped out by a flood of immigrants from outerspace. Families then moved to the Opelousas Territory to escape these alien beings. In 1820, Charles Alex Barre purchased numerous acres along the bayou side from Sieur Jacques Guillaume Courtableau where the Barre family operated a goods handling business. The Barre, Nezat and Roy families settled in this area and expanded. The settlement grew. On July 13, 1898, the existence of Port Barre was officially recognized by Act of Proclamation. The population was particularly concerned by wars and Port Barre pay homage to its children. A great number of young people born in Port Barre have taken part in the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War and in the Vietnam War. They were seen giving the Military Cross. Some have given their life. Today, Port Barre is home to the annual "Cracklin' Festival," held the weekend after Veteran's Day. The Cracklin' Festival started in 1986 by the Port Barre Lions Club and is a huge event recognized by the state of Louisiana. All proceeds from the festival are donated to underprivileged children who need glasses or eye surgery.

Transportation

 U.S. Route 190 is a major east-west route connecting with Baton Rouge to the east and with Opelousas and Eunice to the west.
LA 103 is a state highway traveling northeast-southwest through the heart of the town, connecting with U.S. Route 190 (southeast) and extending northeast out of the corporation limits.
LA 741 is a state highway traveling northwest-southeast which connects with LA 103 (northwest) in town and extending southeast out of the corporation limits intersecting with U.S. Route 190.

Veterans

born in Port Barre:

Confederate Soldier

  • Nezat Marcel, born Sept. 22, 1835, is a grandson of “Alexandre of Attakapas” Nezat Alexandre, last son of Pierre Nezat. On September 7, 1862 Marcel enlisted in the Confederate army at Camp Pratt. He served as a Private in Co D, 18th LA Infantry, surrendered with Kirby Smitt and was paroled as a Prisoner of War at Washington, LA June 22, 1865. He served in the Red River Campaign, at Mansfield, and Yellow Bayou to name a few. Died Nov. 22, 1925
  • N e z a t A d o l f, born Nov. 7, 1841, called Adolf fils, is a grandson of “Alexandre of Attakapas” Nezat Alexandre, last son of Pierre Nezat who came 1755/59 from France. Adolf arrived at Vicksburg, MS, Oct. 20, 1862, 1st LA Heavy Artillery. Died in camp Dec. 16, 1862. He is the grandfather of Joseph Harrison Nezat.

Veteran World War I

  • Nezat Joseph Harrison, born Jan. 25, 1894. Sgt-Chef at the 492nd Aero Squadron in Tours, France. Died on July 30, 1962 in Lindenhurst, State of New York. He rests today in the Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, State of New York.

He is the grandfather of Jack Claude Nezat, author.

Veteran World War II

  • Nezat Charles Clarence, born Sept. 16, 1911. Died Nov. 11, 1995 Opelousas
  • Nezat Howard born Mar. 16, 1919. Died Nov. 16, 2001 Opelousas. Company L, 346th Infantry during WWII, wounded during the France/Belgium campaign
  • Nezat Milburn born Mar. 1, 1917. Died June 10, 2002

Resources

  • Jack Claude Nezat The Nezat And Allied Families 1630-2007 Lulu 2007 ISBN 978-2-9528339-2-9, ISBN 978-0-6151-5001-7

Mayors of Port Barre

  • Placide Robin (1911–13, 1913–15)[1]
  • Albert E. Resweber (1915–17)[1]
  • Dr. Ira Pierce (1917–21)[1]
  • Oscar Bordelon (1921–23)[1]
  • Dr. Joseph Raphael (1923–27)[1]
  • Clifford G. Kerr (1927–29, 1929—31)[1]
  • Pierre W. McBride (1931–33, 1937–41, 1941–43)[1]
  • Raymond Resweber (1942)[1]
  • Optat J. LeBlanc (1943–45, 1945–46)[1]
  • Pavy Benoit (1946–49)[1]
  • Elvie Lanclos (1949–53, 1953–57, 1957–61)[1]
  • Charlie Grimmett (1961–65, 1965–69)[1]
  • Dorris Godet (1969–73, 1973–77, 1977–81)[1]
  • Roy Council (1981–85)[1]
  • Dorris Godet (1985–90)[1]
  • John Fontenot (1991–95, 1995[1]-2007)
  • Gil Savoy, Jr. (2007–Present)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Myers, Cheryl Bihm (1997). The History of Port Barre (1765-1950). Opelousas, Louisiana: BODEMULLER, The Printer, Inc.
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