Author Dorothy B. McNeely has created a hundred year history of the town of Crowley, Louisiana.  This volume, first published in 1987, was carefully  researched thru city minute books, library archives, and newspaper records. Included are its original land development next to the new railroad, municipal founding, pioneer settlers, schools, organizations, early businesses, and even disasters. A unique year by year chronology pinpoints significant events of town history.

 

“More than one hundred men worked to clear the town grid of brush. The grass was as high as a man’s head in places and the workers used machetes and cane knives to clear it away. They cut down a tall pine tree, cleared off its branches, and put it up in the center of town with a sign reading “Court House.”

 

“The settlers came from the northern and midwestern states where many of them had been wheat farmers. Among the group were builders who brought with them the style of architecture they were most familiar with. In its very early days Crowley looked like a midwestern town that had been transported to to the Acadian country.”

 

“In 1901 seven hoboes escaped the town jail. It is only a frail plank affair at best. One of the prisoners took his pocket knife and whittled one of the boards in twain. These men had been charged with drunkeness... One prisoner, the 8th, wouldn’t go - his term was about up.”
 

Dorothy B McNeely

ISBN: 978-1-68593-225-1

8.5 x 11 hardcover

160 Pages

Published: Second Printing 1987, Reprinted 2025