History
|
|||||||||||
| Bonfouca is very old. Its possible that
Paleo-Indians lived on the shores of Bayou Liberty before Lake Pontchartrain was formed. Long ago when the sea level was much lower, all of the bayous on the North Shore merged and ran south over a hundred miles ot the Gulf. Five thousand years
ago the North Shore was on the coast of Gulf of Mexico and Paleo-Indians
lived near Bonfouca. They left oyster shell middens, indicating saltwater, not fresh or brackish. |
|||||||||||
 18,000 Years Ago
|
 6000 Years Ago
|
 5000 Years Ago
|
 4500 Years Ago
|
 2000 Years Ago
|
|||||||
Later his brother, Bienville, journeyed to a nearby site on the west banks of the Pearl River , now known as Indian Village, where he met and made a treaty with the Accolapisa Indians.
Its interesting to note that the bayous of Bonfouca were not properly shown on maps until the middle of the Civil War. Prior to this time, the bayous of Bonfouca were not shown or were confused with the mouth of the Pearl River.
The Indians called him La Liberte. The Indians often called the ship's captain the name of the boat. No doubt he brought the local Indians across Lake Pontchartrain to sell their cane baskets and mats, at the Indian Market. After he died, Bayou Liberty was named after him.
Ancient Bonfouca Indian Pottery Sherds
Here are pictures
of sherds (pottery pieces) found over the years on the bayous of
Bonfouca. Included on the page is a Sherd Reference with identification
information,
so you can match the patterns of the sherds with different Indian pottery styles.
so you can match the patterns of the sherds with different Indian pottery styles.
The Chahta-Ima Oak of Sacred Heart Church in Lacombe
Located on Main St in Lacombe, Sacred Heart Church survived hurricane Katrina.
The grounds are located across the street from the maison (mansion) of Francois Cousin Sr. His house is one of the oldest in the parish, made of beams and bricks.
His poet grandson, Adrien Rouquette became a priest and later, an Indian missionary.
Legend has it that he was buried in a huge oak tree, so their souls could merge.
Located on Main St in Lacombe, Sacred Heart Church survived hurricane Katrina.
The grounds are located across the street from the maison (mansion) of Francois Cousin Sr. His house is one of the oldest in the parish, made of beams and bricks.
His poet grandson, Adrien Rouquette became a priest and later, an Indian missionary.
Legend has it that he was buried in a huge oak tree, so their souls could merge.
For generations
Creole folk paddled their dead down the bayou to bury them at
Dubuisson Cemetery. It was donated by Francois Dubuisson who died in
the 1790's.
In the cemetery are many Creole families besides Dubuissons. Cousins, Pichons and others lie side by side.
Every grave stone has a story and many are told on the Dubuisson Cemetery page.
Dubuisson Cemetery is lit up at night every All Saints Day. Abbe Adrien Rouquette had seen All Souls Day in France and the Chacta Indian's Feast of the Dead. He started the practice of lighting candles on the night after Halloween, a beautiful spectacular.
In 2005 All Saints Day was not practiced because of the draught, high winds and the fire hazard from Katrina debris.
In the cemetery are many Creole families besides Dubuissons. Cousins, Pichons and others lie side by side.
Every grave stone has a story and many are told on the Dubuisson Cemetery page.
Dubuisson Cemetery is lit up at night every All Saints Day. Abbe Adrien Rouquette had seen All Souls Day in France and the Chacta Indian's Feast of the Dead. He started the practice of lighting candles on the night after Halloween, a beautiful spectacular.
In 2005 All Saints Day was not practiced because of the draught, high winds and the fire hazard from Katrina debris.
 | Katrina on the
Bayou Bonfouca was hit hard by Katrina. These are but a few of the many pictures taken after the storm. |
