Mamou, Louisiana
Encyclopedia
Mamou is a town in Evangeline Parish
, Louisiana
, United States
. The population was 3,566 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²), all of it land.
was known as Mamou Prairie as far back as the 18th century and that Anglo-Americans first called it 'Mammouth Prairie' because of its immense size. When the French came, they called it 'Mamou' for mammoth. The name "Mamou", contrary to folklore, is a family name found in France
.
Within this vast stretch of prairie, the town site of Mamou was platted in 1907 by Curley C. Duson
of Eunice
. He was president of the Mamou Town Site Company which opened an office on the corner of Seventh and Chestnut. Lot auctions were held weekly and lots were sold for $50. The original village covered one square mile. On January 11, 1911 Mamou was incorporated.
Cotton
was the major crop for many years on the prairie. By 1915, the village boasted four cotton gins producing thousands of bales of cotton; however, the decline in the demand for cotton led local farmers toward the growing of rice
that is now the major crop of the area.
of 2000, there were 3,566 people, 1,426 households, and 902 families residing in the town. The population density
was 2,525.0 people per square mile (976.5/km²). There were 1,580 housing units at an average density of 1,118.7 per square mile (432.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 60.96% White, 37.75% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.06% from other races
, and 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.73% of the population.
There were 1,426 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples
living together, 20.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 84.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $12,988, and the median income for a family was $17,295. Males had a median income of $21,250 versus $13,250 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $9,046. About 37.4% of families and 45.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 50.6% of those under age 18 and 37.5% of those age 65 or over.
. Three campuses serve the town of Mamou – Mamou Elementary School (Grades PK-4) Mamou Upper Elementary (Grades5-8) and Mamou High School(Grades 9-12).
country. The town is famous for its music and musicians, and bills itself as "The Cajun Music Capital of the World." Consequently, Mamou figures into a number of song titles (such as "'Tit Galop Pour Mamou" and "Valse de Grand Mamou") and lyrics, as well as band names (such as Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys). Mamou is also home of the world famous Fred's Lounge, which features live Cajun music every Saturday morning. Each year the town holds a Courir de Mardi Gras
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 3,566 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Mamou is located at 30°38′3"N 92°25′8"W (30.634033, -92.418913).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 town has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²), all of it land.
History
There are many stories regarding the origin of the name Mamou. One was the legendary Indian, Chief Mamou. It is certain that this vast prairiePrairie
Prairies are considered part of the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome by ecologists, based on similar temperate climates, moderate rainfall, and grasses, herbs, and shrubs, rather than trees, as the dominant vegetation type...
was known as Mamou Prairie as far back as the 18th century and that Anglo-Americans first called it 'Mammouth Prairie' because of its immense size. When the French came, they called it 'Mamou' for mammoth. The name "Mamou", contrary to folklore, is a family name found in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Within this vast stretch of prairie, the town site of Mamou was platted in 1907 by Curley C. Duson
Curley Duson
Cornelius C. Duson, [b. August 31, 1846] was a legendary Louisiana lawman. He was the sheriff of St. Landry Parish, Louisiana from 1874 to 1888. During his career, he was known for his dogged determination....
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...
. He was president of the Mamou Town Site Company which opened an office on the corner of Seventh and Chestnut. Lot auctions were held weekly and lots were sold for $50. The original village covered one square mile. On January 11, 1911 Mamou was incorporated.
Cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
was the major crop for many years on the prairie. By 1915, the village boasted four cotton gins producing thousands of bales of cotton; however, the decline in the demand for cotton led local farmers toward the growing of rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
that is now the major crop of the area.
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 3,566 people, 1,426 households, and 902 families residing in the town. 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 2,525.0 people per square mile (976.5/km²). There were 1,580 housing units at an average density of 1,118.7 per square mile (432.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 60.96% White, 37.75% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.06% 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 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.73% of the population.
There were 1,426 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% 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, 20.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 84.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $12,988, and the median income for a family was $17,295. Males had a median income of $21,250 versus $13,250 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 town was $9,046. About 37.4% of families and 45.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 50.6% of those under age 18 and 37.5% 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...
. Three campuses serve the town of Mamou – Mamou Elementary School (Grades PK-4) Mamou Upper Elementary (Grades5-8) and Mamou High School(Grades 9-12).
Culture
Mamou is located at the heart of Louisiana's CajunCajun
Cajuns are an ethnic group mainly living in the U.S. state of Louisiana, consisting of the descendants of Acadian exiles...
country. The town is famous for its music and musicians, and bills itself as "The Cajun Music Capital of the World." Consequently, Mamou figures into a number of song titles (such as "'Tit Galop Pour Mamou" and "Valse de Grand Mamou") and lyrics, as well as band names (such as Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys). Mamou is also home of the world famous Fred's Lounge, which features live Cajun music every Saturday morning. Each year the town holds a Courir de Mardi Gras
Courir de Mardi Gras
The Courir de Mardi Gras is a traditional Mardi Gras event held in many Cajun communities of south Louisiana on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Courir de Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday Run". The rural Mardi Gras celebration is based on early begging rituals, similar to those still...
Famous residents
- Danny ArdoinDanny ArdoinDaniel Wayne Ardoin is a retired catcher in Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed.-High school years:...
, Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player (b. 1974) - Lewis Elliott ChazeLewis Elliott ChazeLewis Elliott Chaze was an American war veteran, journalist, and novelist.- Early years :Elliott Chaze was born to Lewis and Sue Chaze in Mamou, Louisiana. In 1932, Chaze graduated from Bolton High School in Alexandria, Louisiana...
, journalist and author (b. 1915) - Chris DuhonChris DuhonChris Nicholas Duhon is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic. Duhon was a point guard for the Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team from 2000 to 2004, the Chicago Bulls from 2004 to 2008, and the New York Knicks from 2008 to 2010, and presently plays for the Orlando...
, professional basketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player (b. 1982) - Barry ManuelBarry ManuelBarry Paul Manuel is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of five seasons in Major League Baseball between and , and one season in Nippon Professional Baseball in ....
, Major League Baseball, Louisiana State UniversityLouisiana State UniversityLouisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
All-American (b. 1965) - Jimmy C. NewmanJimmy C. NewmanJimmy Yves Newman , better known as Jimmy C. Newman , is an American singer and a long time star of the Grand Ole Opry.-Biography:Newman was born near Big Mamou, Louisiana...
singer (b. 1927) - Steve RileySteve Riley and the Mamou PlayboysSteve Riley and the Mamou Playboys are a Grammy Award-nominated Cajun band from southern Louisiana. The band formed in 1988 and has since recorded 10 albums, nine of which are on Rounder Records....
, Cajun/zydeco accordionist, singer, and bandleader (b. 1969)