Legends & Lore

Most of ye recognize Sept. 19 as “International Talk Like A Pyrate Day” (to be fair, most of us recognize every day as that), but this year, it has something a little special connected with it!

Our good mates at The Teche Project have a special event planned in the city of New Iberia, Louisiana, along with The Center For Louisiana Studies and the William G. Pomery Foundation.

There has long been a legend of a “smugglers tunnel”, leading up from Bayou Teche to the old Mount Carmel Academy (aka Place Eugenie). This tunnel was used by (who else), Jean Laffite and his crew! Tunnels like these and caves along riverbanks have always been a common place to offload, and store (if dry enough) goods…however they may have been acquired! It also makes a good escape route when a quick getaway is called for.

A grant for this historical plaque was awarded to The Teche Project by the William G. Pomery Foundation. The Legends & Lore marker program is administered by the Center for Louisiana Studies and designed to promote cultural tourism and commemorate legends and folklore as part of our heritage.

The installation will be unveiled at 4 pm, Sept. 19 at Place Eugenie, 109 Bridge St. in New Iberia.

The family of Herman J. Schellstede purchased this property in 1998 and enjoys the historical significance of Place Eugenie. Mr. Herman J. Schellstede named the facility for his late wife, Eugenie Fortier Schellstede.