Allen and Claudia Billeaud House

The significance of the Allen and Claudia Billeaud House includes the pattern of events leading up to the purchase of this property and the construction of this house. It is centered on the family of French-born Jean-Pierre Billeaud, his son Martial Billeaud, Sr. and sons who are associated with the success of sugar cultivation in South Louisiana. The Jean-Pierre Billeaud family history exemplifies the economic and cultural context that is shared by many immigrants to Lafayette Parish, and who were able to create significant wealth within a few generations. JeanPierre moved to Vermilionville from France in 1832 where he continued his wheelwright trade. Within 25 years, his son, who was 2 years old when he arrived in Louisiana, continued his father’s wheelwright trade and began leasing land to grow sugar cane. After the end of the Civil War, Martial Billeaud, Sr. continued to lease and purchase land, enlarging his sugar production business as funds allowed. Martial Billeaud, Jr. and his brothers continued the business, eventually producing up to 40,000 tons of cane annually by 1913. In 1924, a son of Martial Jr., Allen Billeaud, married Claudia Voorhies, and they built this house shortly thereafter.