Saint Landry Parish | US Courthouses

Saint Landry Parish is named for Saint Landry of Sees, who was a French saint and bishop.

Surrounding Parish Courthouses:

N – Avoyelles Parish

E – Pointe Coupee Parish and Saint Martin Parish

S – Saint Martin Parish, Lafayette Parish and Acadia Parish

W – Acadia Parish and Evangeline Parish

Created: March 31, 1807

Parish Seat:

Opelousas 1807 – present

Parish Courthouse – Opelousas

Location: 118 South Court Street / West Landry Street

Built: 1939 – 1940

Style: Art Deco

Architect: Theodore L Perrier

Contractor: A J Rife Construction Company

Description: The building faces east and is a three story gray colored stone and concrete structure. The building is located on lanscaped grounds in the center of Opelousas. The east front has a central section which projects from the main building and rises above the roof line. There is a large window on the second story. The roof line is flat. In the interior there is a spiral staircase ascending to the second story. The Parish District Court courtroom is located on the second story. The building houses the Parish District Court of the 27th Judicial District. The building was renovated in 2008. The architect was Gaudet and Tolson, Ltd.

History: The parish was created in 1807 and Opelousas was selected as the parish seat. The first courthouse was built in 1806 and the next courthouses were built in 1850 and 1863. The fourth courthouse was designed by Walters & Harrod and constructed by Hannon & Voss in 1886. The fifth and present courthouse was constructed in 1939 to 1940 at a cost of $280,000.

Former Third Court of Appeal Courthouse – Opelousas

Location: 162 South Court Street / West Landry Street

Built: 1892 – 1893

Style: Italianate / Romanesque Revival

Architect: Jeremish O’Rourke

Contractor: Unknown

Description: The building faces west and is a three story ted colored brick structure. The building was constructed as the Federal Building and Post Office. The building is located in the center of Opelousas across from the courthouse. The first story has segmentally arched windows and the upper story has round arched windows set in groups. The first story entrance has a broad brick arch with terra cotta spandrels. The roof is hipped. In 1932, the building was enlarged. The building housed the office for the Third Court of Appeal but is now vacant as the court is located in Lake Charles.

See: National Register of Historic Places – Old Federal Building – Opelousas