Crowley is located in South Louisiana, and has a population of about 12,000 residents. It is the Parish Seat of Acadia Parish.
It was founded in 1887 by two brothers, C.C. and W.W. Duson. The new town offered land well suited for agriculture, particularly rice, and the population grew to 6,000 by 1917.
Crowley has more than 200 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, including many Victorian residences featuring Queen Anne architecture. The city also supports an active Main Street Program.
The Annual Gumbo Cook-Off is held at the Enterprise Center Grounds in Crowley, and the city hosts the well-known International Rice Festival.
The cost of living and sites for business are affordable in Crowley. This humble community is home to a culturally diverse and devoted population whose work ethic is as strong now as it was when their Cajun forefathers first settled here. Acadia Parish’s quaint charm makes it a great place to live, work, visit and retire!
Rice production began in earnest in Louisiana shortly after the Civil War. Thanks to the warm climate and long growing season, farmers could usually harvest rice twice a year. Rice continues to play an important role in Crowley’s economy. Crawfish farming is also a mainstay of the local economy.
Crowley has milled more rice than any city in the country, earning it the designation of “Rice Capital of the World.” Every October, the city celebrates the International Rice Festival, one of the nation’s largest and oldest agricultural festivals.
Crowley is located on Interstate Highway I-10 and historic U.S. Highway 90, about midway between the cities of Lafayette and Jennings. The City of Eunice lies to the north on Louisiana Highway 13, and Kaplan is to the south. Other nearby towns include Lacassine, Welsh, Duson, Lake Arthur, Rayne, Mermentau, and Gueydan.
Crowley recently restored the Ford Building, built in 1921 as a car dealership and partial assembly line for Ford Model Ts. The building, open for tours, now serves as the Crowley City Hall and houses four museums:
Major events held through the year include:
Here are details of some of the most popular Crowley area attractions:
Crowley Motor Co. Building |
One of many historic homes |
Falcon Rice Mill | Grand Opera House |
Bird's Eye View - 1910 |
Acadia Parish Courthouse |
Crowley High School |
De Rousselle Restaurant |
Parkerson Avenue |
Suds Pioneer Bar |
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