Chataignier, Louisiana
Encyclopedia
Chataîgnier is a village in Evangeline Parish
, Louisiana
, United States
. The population was 383 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²), all land.
The community known as Chataîgnier had a beginning, but its age will never be determined. The age of a community is a nebulous thing, depending on whether one uses as point of inception the date of the arrival of the first settler, the establishment of the post office, the coming of the railroad, or any other such memorable happening. Resources for determining the historical origin of a community such as Chataîgnier are limited. For such information, one must rely on a few recorded instances coupled with the reliable knowledge of the elder members of the community.
Gleanings from old records indicate that Chataîgnier's first settler was Ursiana Manuel who came from Mexico via New Orleans about 1793 when Louisiana was a Spanish Colony and George Washington
was serving as President of the new republic known as the United States of America. The descendents of Ursiana Manuel are still living on the original land grant obtained by him during the Spanish domination of Louisiana. Other early settlers mentioned are Jacques Fontenot, Louis Redan, General Garis de Flaugeac, Artemon Lafleur, and Valentine Savoy. Savoy, incidentally, was the first man to begin the manufacture of spinning wheels in this part of the country. He also operated a large plantation, a cotton gin and a saw mill.
The settlers of Chataîgnier have long enjoyed the benefits of religion (predominantly Catholic), education and postal service, in that order. The second oldest church in the Evangeline
country was founded in Chataîgnier. Records show that it was first a mission of Opelousas beginning in 1856 but that in 1869 it was created as a separate parish called Our Lady of Mount Carmel. A church was built with Father Jean Baptiste Bre as its first pastor. In 1901 the then pastor Father A. L. Bacchioci moved to the new nearby village of Eunice
, of which Chataîgnier became a mission at that time. The following year, in 1902, Chataignier became an established church and separate parish for the second time and has remained such to this day.
The Chataîgnier community's educational background dates back to the pre-Civil War
year of 1858 when the first known school, the Onezine Lafleur School, was located in the upper Chataignier community. Although the name of the teacher prior to the Civil War
is not known, it has been established that Dorsin Lafleur was appointed teacher for a short period of time during the war. The war itself eventually brought about the close of the school; however, in 1879, Mrs. P. H. Marueney was appointed to teach and the school reopened. At this time, French was the language used and taught in school. Progress continued and by 1887 Chataignier had one of the eight public schools in the parish.
The Chataîgnier post office was established on November 20, 1879 in what was known at that time as St. Landry Parish
. In 1910 the very large area of St. Landry Parish was divided up to form several other parishes, one of which was Evangeline
. Chataignier now occupies the southeastern part of that parish. The Village of Chataignier was incorporated in January, 1973 with a population of 375. Old historical spots have long disappeared and all that remains are parish lines, township lines, and section lines (all used in land surveys). The economy of the area is agriculturally-based.
of 2000, there were 383 people, 132 households, and 107 families residing in the village. The population density
was 607.5 inhabitants per square mile (234.7/km²). There were 142 housing units at an average density of 225.2 per square mile (87.0/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 50.91% White, 47.78% African American, 0.26% from other races
, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of the population.
There were 132 households out of which 43.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples
living together, 25.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.9% were non-families. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.28.
In the village the population was spread out with 35.0% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 102.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $18,438, and the median income for a family was $18,269. Males had a median income of $21,250 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $7,266. About 46.4% of families and 49.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 66.1% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.
. Chataignier Elementary School is located in the village of Chataignier and serves students in grades pre-kindergarten through eight.
Evangeline Parish, Louisiana
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 35,434 people, 12,736 households, and 9,157 families residing in the parish. The population density was 53 people per square mile . There were 14,258 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 383 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Chataîgnier is located at 30°34′15"N 92°19′9"W (30.570834, -92.319089).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the village has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²), all land.
History
The name Chataîgnier is French and means "chinquapin," a small chestnut. Chinquapins (castenea punita) grew abundantly in the surrounding prairie until the chestnut blight wiped them out. They are now non-existent in the Chataignier community.The community known as Chataîgnier had a beginning, but its age will never be determined. The age of a community is a nebulous thing, depending on whether one uses as point of inception the date of the arrival of the first settler, the establishment of the post office, the coming of the railroad, or any other such memorable happening. Resources for determining the historical origin of a community such as Chataîgnier are limited. For such information, one must rely on a few recorded instances coupled with the reliable knowledge of the elder members of the community.
Gleanings from old records indicate that Chataîgnier's first settler was Ursiana Manuel who came from Mexico via New Orleans about 1793 when Louisiana was a Spanish Colony and George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
was serving as President of the new republic known as the United States of America. The descendents of Ursiana Manuel are still living on the original land grant obtained by him during the Spanish domination of Louisiana. Other early settlers mentioned are Jacques Fontenot, Louis Redan, General Garis de Flaugeac, Artemon Lafleur, and Valentine Savoy. Savoy, incidentally, was the first man to begin the manufacture of spinning wheels in this part of the country. He also operated a large plantation, a cotton gin and a saw mill.
The settlers of Chataîgnier have long enjoyed the benefits of religion (predominantly Catholic), education and postal service, in that order. The second oldest church in the Evangeline
Evangeline
Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie, is an epic poem published in 1847 by the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The poem follows an Acadian girl named Evangeline and her search for her lost love Gabriel, set during the time of the Expulsion of the Acadians.The idea for the poem came from...
country was founded in Chataîgnier. Records show that it was first a mission of Opelousas beginning in 1856 but that in 1869 it was created as a separate parish called Our Lady of Mount Carmel. A church was built with Father Jean Baptiste Bre as its first pastor. In 1901 the then pastor Father A. L. Bacchioci moved to the new nearby village of Eunice
Eunice, Louisiana
Eunice is a city in Acadia, Evangeline and St. Landry parishes in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The population was 11,499 at the 2000 census.The St...
, of which Chataîgnier became a mission at that time. The following year, in 1902, Chataignier became an established church and separate parish for the second time and has remained such to this day.
The Chataîgnier community's educational background dates back to the pre-Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
year of 1858 when the first known school, the Onezine Lafleur School, was located in the upper Chataignier community. Although the name of the teacher prior to the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
is not known, it has been established that Dorsin Lafleur was appointed teacher for a short period of time during the war. The war itself eventually brought about the close of the school; however, in 1879, Mrs. P. H. Marueney was appointed to teach and the school reopened. At this time, French was the language used and taught in school. Progress continued and by 1887 Chataignier had one of the eight public schools in the parish.
The Chataîgnier post office was established on November 20, 1879 in what was known at that time as St. Landry Parish
St. Landry Parish, Louisiana
St. Landry Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is at the heart of Acadian/Cajun culture and heritage in Louisiana. The parish seat is Opelousas. According to the 2010 census, the population of St. Landry Parish is 83,384.St...
. In 1910 the very large area of St. Landry Parish was divided up to form several other parishes, one of which was Evangeline
Evangeline Parish, Louisiana
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 35,434 people, 12,736 households, and 9,157 families residing in the parish. The population density was 53 people per square mile . There were 14,258 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile...
. Chataignier now occupies the southeastern part of that parish. The Village of Chataignier was incorporated in January, 1973 with a population of 375. Old historical spots have long disappeared and all that remains are parish lines, township lines, and section lines (all used in land surveys). The economy of the area is agriculturally-based.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 383 people, 132 households, and 107 families residing in the village. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 607.5 inhabitants per square mile (234.7/km²). There were 142 housing units at an average density of 225.2 per square mile (87.0/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 50.91% White, 47.78% African American, 0.26% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of the population.
There were 132 households out of which 43.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 25.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.9% were non-families. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.28.
In the village the population was spread out with 35.0% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 102.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $18,438, and the median income for a family was $18,269. Males had a median income of $21,250 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the village was $7,266. About 46.4% of families and 49.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 66.1% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Public schools in Evangeline Parish are operated by the Evangeline Parish School BoardEvangeline Parish School Board
The Evangeline Parish School Board is an entity responsible for the operation of public schools in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is headquartered in the city of Ville Platte.-Schools:*Grades 5-12**Basile High School...
. Chataignier Elementary School is located in the village of Chataignier and serves students in grades pre-kindergarten through eight.