Oil Center Designated as National Historic District – January 2021
The Oil Center

Preservation Alliance of Lafayette Welcomes New Board Members and Officers

PAL is fortunate to have a 9 member volunteer Board of Directors passionate about recognizing and preserving Lafayette’s important historic and cultural assets. PAL is grateful to Ann Marie Hightower, Maeghan Smith, Hallie Coreil  and all other past Board members for their invaluable services to the organization. PAL is pleased to recognize new officers, President Maureen Dugas Foster, Vice President Bob Brahan, Secretary Kayla Guidry, and Treasurer Robert Oncale, and other new members, Denise Lanclos and Rae Gremillion, who will be joining returning member, Dr. Reed Nelson. If you would like to apply to join the PAL Board, please click the link below. If you would like more information, please email [email protected].

 

The Oil Center

GOOD NEWS: Oil Center Designated as National Historic District

Aerial view of the Oil Center circa 1953 – intersection of St. Mary Blvd. and Pinhook, current site of the Petroleum Club.

Envisioned as a “city within a city” by influential and forward-thinking Lafayette businessman, Maurice Heymann, the Oil Center is poised for redevelopment and is a designated Opportunity Zone. Read more about the future of the iconic district here. The Oil Center National Historic District is also within the state-approved Oil Center Cultural District. Historic buildings within National Historic Districts and State Cultural Districts are eligible for Commercial Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits.

 

THANK YOU PRESERVATION SUPPORTERS

The Preservation Alliance is pleased to recognize the following special supporters:

Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
Standard Title, LLC
Ms. Marcia Fontenot
Dr. Reed Nelson

If you know any of these people, please take a moment to thank them for their support of Lafayette’s historic and cultural treasures.

 

PAL NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION:
UNITE HISTORIC LAFAYETTE NEIGHBORHOODS

Like many of the country’s great cities, Lafayette is fortunate to have many unique historic neighborhoods, such as Sterling Grove, Freetown, Bendel Gardens, McComb-Veazey, Nickerson-Parkerson, Elmhurst Park, and many others. Please email us at [email protected] for more information on the Neighborhood Coterie Coalition. In the meantime, stay tuned for information about a Neighborhood Coalition gathering and browse existing.

 

Lafayette Preservation Commission Updates

The Preservation Commission will be considering designation of the American Legion Post 69 as a historic property at its February 18 meeting. The building, located at 1501 Surrey Street, is on the same property as the historic natural swimming pool and picnic grounds called Chargois Springs that operated there from 1890 to 1927.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • February 13, 2021 – Artwalk at Parc de Lafayette, sponsored by PAL and The Wurst Biergarten
  • February 18, 2021 – Meeting
  • February 23, 2021 @ 5:30 p.m. – Join the PAL Board for a tour of Mouton Bed & Breakfast (C. 1820) and the Nickerson House (C. 1891).
    • 338 North Sterling Street
    • Parking behind the main house via Mudd Ave.
  • March 6, 2021 –
  • TBD (pandemic permitting!) – PAL Speaker Series, featuring historic and cultural preservation topics at historic and inspiring venues. Stay tuned!