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LocalAttractions, Organizations and Twinning Cities
Contact Us: Phone:337-233-1130 Fax: 337-233-0240 scottla@xspedius.net
Since July 2002 Last Updated 10/12/2005 |
Bourque's Bar 1902. Albert Bourque's Bar is reminiscent of early saloons of the Old West. On numerous occasions I have heard "Pete" Bourque (Mr. Albert's son) tell the story of when someone asked his dad why he built a western style saloon. His reply would be "because this is where the west begins", a slogan for Scott which is still used today. It is believed that the slogan started because Scott was where eastern train fare rates ended and western train fare rates began. The story-and-a-half structure looks much the same now as it did when it was first built, except the shingle roof has been replaced by tin and the dormer windows have been removed. Also missing are the wanted posters which used to be displayed on the outside walls by the sheriff, who would ride out to the bar on his horse and buggy. Albert Bourque opened the bar in 1902 as "an exclusive, all- men's bar and a meeting place for old folks." His two sons, Clovis "Pete" and Wilson "Toot" Bourque began working for him at age ten, filling beer and whiskey bottles until they were old enough to wait on customers. According to Pete, the saloon was always orderly and drunkenness was never allowed. Prior to the establishment of the Bank Of Scott across the Street, townspeople could always count on getting their checks cashed at Bourque's. In 1918, the bar was converted to a general merchandise store because of Prohibition. After its repeal in 1933 , Albert Bourque reopened his bar. Following his death in 1960, Pete and Toot continued to operate the saloon. Over the years, the clientele changed as the area's economy changed from farmers in the early days to oil field workers in more recent times. The closing of the bar on July 29, 1976 marked the end of an era for the town of Scott. Scott is in the heart of "Cajun" land and is known as "Where the West Begins". Thousands of Acadians were exiled in 1759 from a place in Nova Scotia known as "Acadie", meaning "earthly paradise", because of their beliefs as devout Catholics. They were befriended in south Louisiana by the Attakapas Tribes and the Spanish rulers and became known as "Cajuns". Scott--"Where the West Begins" has long been the slogan in our community. It is located five miles west of Lafayette and about the same distance east of Duson. North of Scott is Ossun and south is the community of Judice. The location of the town is very favorable for growth as it was on U. S. Hwy 90, formerly called "Old Spanish Trail". The main line of the Southern Pacific Railway , now Burlington Ind., cuts the town in two so our town is in the 8th Ward south of the railroad and the 1st Ward north of the railroad. The first settler of Scott was Alexander Delhomme, who took land in the Northern part of the town, started farming and spent the rest of his life there. He was the first one to own and operate a hay-mowing machine. People came for miles around to see it. Mr. Delhomme also built and operated the first grit mill and cotton gin. The next settlers were Alcide Judice and Dominic Cayret who came several years later. They settled in the southern and eastern parts of what is now Scott. Mr. Cayret had a personal friend, Mr. J. B. Scott, who was Division Superintendent of Southern Pacific Railroad. Cayret was able to persuade his friend to build a "depot". It was started in 1870, and it took 10 years to build it, the work being done by the convicts from the State Penitentiary. When it became a reality, the settlers honored the promise in 1907 by calling the newly incorporated village "Scott". The first depot agent was Ozema LeBlanc, who was agent for 17 years. In 1880, Alcide Judice opened a grocery store south of the railroad while Martin Begnaud opened one north of the railroad. Other pioneer settlers were Louis Breaux in the southwestern part of the area. He served as Deputy Sheriff for over 15 years. Drozin Boudreaux where Philip Martin taught school. Bob Thomas lived at Isle Navarre on the outskirts of the village. Mrs. Thomas taught private school there. The Village became a Town in 1960, the Town becase a City in 1990. In August, 1911, a bank was established, The meeting to organize was held in Felix Foreman's hall. The first board of directors were: Luke Leblanc, Dr. L. A. Prejean, Rev. J. M. Detchmenly, Joseph Sonnier, Rousseau Prejean, J. M. Keith, Alonzo Lacy and William Butcher. This bank merged with the Bank of Lafayette in September, 1920. Through the efforts of Alcide Judice, to whom every school child is indebted, the first public school was built in 1895 on land belonging to Louis Breaux. It consisted of one room. Supt. T. H. Harris has called Mr. Judice the "Father of Public Education in Lafayette Parish",a title he truly and justly deserves. He is the one who conceived the idea of transportation of children to school in wagons and horse driven transfers. The present system of school bus transportation is an outgrowth of that idea. Later between 1900-1903, four rooms were built. L. A. Prejean and Miss Hunter(teacher), helped solicit funds to defray expenses. A few years later, a two-story structure was built and in 1921, it became an approved high school. The present high school was built on a site donated by Mrs. Emelia Breaux, daughter of Louis Breaux. The former site, on land domated by L. Leo Judice, is now a brick building used for primary grades. Mrs. Bella Judice Nickerson gave additional land so that there would be more space. It is now known as the L. Leo Judice School. Mr. Judice served for 20 years on the Lafayette Parish School Board. He was a civic leader in his community, ever ready to do everything for progress and growth of Scott. For a time a private school was operated in the church hall, but classes were not taught there very long. The second merchant to establish a store in Scott was Joseph Sonnier, and his sons are still in the General Merchandise business. |
