Ville Platte, Louisiana, United States

Ville Platte is a small city in the southwest of the state of Louisiana, United States. It is 75 miles west of Baton Rouge.

Facts

Telephone area code: 337
County: Evangeline County
Postal code (ZIP): 70586
According to the year 2000 United States Census, the population of Ville Platte is 8,145 people, divided as such:
56% male, 54% female
41% Caucasian, 59% Black or African American

History

The area around Ville Platte appears to have been first settled during the last half of the eighteenth century, when Louisiana was under Spanish rule. The earliest record of settlement in the immediate area of Ville Platte was in the 1780's.

Popular legend states the founder of Ville Platte was Marcellin Garand, an adjutant major in the Army of the French Empire, during the time of Napoleon. In 1824 Garand obtained one of the first two lots that were platted in what is now Ville Platte; a Doctor Robert Windex obtained the other lot. Those lots were obtained from the estate of William O'Donegan. This appears to be the actual beginning of, or the founding of the present town of Ville Platte.

The first post office in Ville Platte was established in 1842 with Marcellin Garand as postmaster from then to 1848.

Culture

Ville Platte has significant Cajun music and cultural associations.

Government

The mayor of Ville Platte is Phillip A. Lemoine.

External Links

[Platte web site]
[Platte Cajun Music]