Bell City, Louisiana
Encyclopedia
Bell City is an unincorporated community
located in the southeast corner of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana
, United States
. It is part of the Lake Charles
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
Bell City is in Calcasieu Parish, however the documented statistics are for ZIP Code 70630 which has segments in two parishes, Calcasieu and Cameron. The 70630 ZIP Code is at latitude 30.098 and longitude -93.013. Bell City is in the Central Time Zone (UTC -6 hours) and observes daylight savings time. According to the 2000 United States Census, the population in ZIP Code 70630 was 892 with 385 housing units; a land area of 143.85 sq. miles; a water area of 2.75 sq. miles; and a population density of 6.20 people per sq. mile.
“Sites for a railroad depot, post office and a large school building have been donated and the work of building will begin as soon as proper arrangements can be made and the material hauled to the ground. Twelve lots have been sold , on which business houses will be erected , and scores of residence lots have been sold. The town has been nicely laid off and the work of grading the streets is now in progress.”
“Messrs. P. W. Daniels and I. E. Wesson, of this city, are at present erecting a large feed store and implement warehouse, and it is only a matter of a short time until Bell City will be one of the busiest little places in this section”.
“The new town is located fifteen miles southwest of Welsh , and is in the midst of a rice growing section and will be a boon to that portion of Calcasieu. The building of the new railroad from Lake Charles to Lake Arthur will open a new country adapted to rice culture and adds considerably to the area of the cultivation of that cereal in southwest Louisiana.”
1907 Jan 17 The Charter of Bell City Mercantile Co. with a capital stock of $10,000 for conducting general merchandise business. Isaac Derouen is president, Stephen E. Stine is vice president, Placide Derouen in Secretary and treasurer. Along with Paul W. Daniels they are the first board of directors.
1908 Mar 24 The Charter of Bell City College with a domicile at Bell City, Louisiana was filed with the district clerk.
1909 May 31 The Railroad Commission reports Louisiana Western railway is to build a combination depot at Bell City
1918 The present Bell City School began operation. LD Bayne was first principal, followed by TS Cooley, Thompson, James Dent and Stanford Cox who was principal for 32 years.
During World War II
(1939–1945), a prisoner of war camp was erected in the center of Bell City, furnishing laborers for area farmers whose sons and farm hands had gone off to war.
1944 April 4 The Bell City Library opened and was originally housed in the Bell City Elementary School with operating hours from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Fridays. Mrs. Max Johnston was the first Branch Manager. In August 1944, the Library moved into a small office owned by Andrew Delaney, husband of the Library's Branch Manager, Hanan V. Delaney. It was housed in the office until 1990 when the Capitol Improvement Program allowed purchase of land, renovation and expansion of a new building. Work was completed and the new library opened in January 1994.
The Calcasieu Parish Public Library merged the Bell City and Hayes branches on December 28. The merger of the two branches, which are 1.2 miles apart, a two-minute trip by car, enables more enhanced service to the area. The last day of operation for the Bell City branch was December 23, 2009.
1950 Jun 05 A Charter for the official Association of Lions Clubs was presented to the Bell City-Hayes-Holmwood Lions Club at the Bell City High gymnasium.
1951 Jan 28 The Broussard Dairy
, at Bell City, received grade A rating for their pasteurization plant.
On average, the warmest month is July with an average high of 91°F.
The highest recorded temperature was 105°F in 2000.
On average, the coolest month is January with an average low of 41°F.
The lowest recorded temperature was 11°F in 1951.
The maximum average precipitation occurs in May with average rainfall of 6.06 inches and the minimum average precipitation occurs in February with average rainfall of 3.27 inches.
which was created in 1937 as a habitat for wintering waterfowl in the coastal prairie of southwestern Louisiana
.
Bell City is in Calcasieu Parish Police Jury District 10.
The 2000 Census
recorded 604 adults in Bell City (70630) over the age of 25. Of those, 403 are high school graduates or higher and 64 had Bachelor degrees or higher.
Founded in 1939
St. John Vianney Parish occupies the southeastern portion of Calcasieu Civil Parish, a predominantly agricultural area. The parish was officially established in 1939 by the Most Rev. Jules B. Jeanmard
, Bishop of Lafayette, and it serves three communities—Bell City, Hayes and Holmwood.
Prior to the establishment of the parish, Catholics in the area were served by priests from Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Jennings, Louisiana
. Later priests from Our Lady of Seven Dolors Parish in Welsh, Louisiana
and then from St. Raphael Parish in Iowa, Louisiana
celebrated Mass in the area.
A chapel dedicated to St. Joseph was built about 1900, and served until it was destroyed by a storm in 1939.
The founding pastor, the Rev. Mathias J. Cramers, arrived in April 1938 to get things moving. A hall which the Altar Society had built to hold fund-raising bazaars was transformed into a temporary chapel for the celebration of Mass. First item on Father Cramer's agenda was the construction of a rectory, which was completed in August 1939.
The next project was a church, and the groundbreaking was held on Aug. 8, 1940. The building was completed, and was dedicated by Bishop Jeanmard on Dec. 1 of the same year. The first parish trustees were Ferdinand Nunez and Harry Verret. The first official parish records began in May 1939. Earlier records were kept in Jennings, beginning in 1892, in Welsh from 1904 and Iowa from 1930.
In 1950 the Rev. Daniel Habetz succeeded Father Cramers as pastor, and one of his first projects was the construction of St. Daniel Chapel in Hayes, on property donated by Mr. and Mrs. Felix Hebert. The chapel was dedicated on April 16, 1953, and St. Daniel Mission was officially attached to St. John Vianney Parish.
Over the years, many improvements have been made on church facilities. In 1981 the church in Bell City was renovated. There is also a Catechism
center behind the rectory, and halls in Bell City and Hayes.
In 2000, the parish served a congregation
of 375 families and the pastor was the Rev. V. Wayne LeBleu,, assigned in 1999. 250 students from kindergarten through grade 12 attended instruction.
Another major organization is Bell City's Knights of Columbus
Council 3048, which was organized and chartered on April 9, 1957, with Matthew Fruge as the charter Grand Knight.
The Bell City Ladies Altar Society was formed in 1905, with Mrs. Dulva Derouen as first president. The Ladies Altar Society in Hayes, Louisiana
was organized in 1952, with Mrs. Elias Lorrain as the first president.
During the parish's half century a number of parishioners have been singled out for honors in recognition of outstanding service to the church. Mrs. Helen Zaunbrecher was decorated by Pope John Paul II
in 1982 with the Papal Cross
of Honor Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice
.
Matthew Fruge was invested as an Officer in the Order of St. Charles by Bishop Jude Speyrer
in 1982 after receiving the Bishop's Medal from the Diocese
of Lafayette in 1966.
Barbara Theriot, Ester Harrington, Mary Leger and Pauline Poole were decorated with the Diocese of Lake Charles Devoted Service Medal in 1992.
Here is a list of pastors who have served St. John Vianney Parish, with the years they were assigned to the parish: 1939 - Rev. Mathias J. Cramers; 1950 - Rev. Daniel Habetz; 1958 - Rev. A. W. Van Buijtenen; 1967 - Rev. Fernand N. Gouaux; 1969 - Rev. Rosaire Veilleux; 1973 - Rev. Francis Bourgeois; 1977 - Rev. Robert L. Shreve; 1985 - Rev. Roland Vaughn; 1991 - Rev. Milton P. Miller; 1993 Rev. John A. Poerio and 1999 - Rev. V. Wayne LeBleu. Rev. Albert Borel served as pastor until June 30, 2008 when he was transferred to St. John Bosco in Westlake.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
located in the southeast corner of Calcasieu Parish, 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...
. It is part of the Lake Charles
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Lake Charles is the fifth-largest incorporated city in the U.S. state of Louisiana, located on Lake Charles, Prien Lake, and the Calcasieu River. Located in Calcasieu Parish, a major cultural, industrial, and educational center in the southwest region of the state, and one of the most important in...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Lake Charles metropolitan area
The Lake Charles Metropolitan Statistical Area is a metropolitan area in the Acadiana region of southwest Louisiana that covers two parishes - Calcasieu and Cameron. According to a 2009 Census estimate, the MSA had a population of 194,138. It is also part of the larger Lake Charles-Jennings...
.
Bell City is in Calcasieu Parish, however the documented statistics are for ZIP Code 70630 which has segments in two parishes, Calcasieu and Cameron. The 70630 ZIP Code is at latitude 30.098 and longitude -93.013. Bell City is in the Central Time Zone (UTC -6 hours) and observes daylight savings time. According to the 2000 United States Census, the population in ZIP Code 70630 was 892 with 385 housing units; a land area of 143.85 sq. miles; a water area of 2.75 sq. miles; and a population density of 6.20 people per sq. mile.
History 1902
The 1902 Welsh Rice Belt Journal says: “The new town, on the Lacassine extension of the Louisiana Western (R.R.), has been named Bell City, after A. E. Bell of this place, one of the founders and promoters of the town that will henceforth bear his name.”“Sites for a railroad depot, post office and a large school building have been donated and the work of building will begin as soon as proper arrangements can be made and the material hauled to the ground. Twelve lots have been sold , on which business houses will be erected , and scores of residence lots have been sold. The town has been nicely laid off and the work of grading the streets is now in progress.”
“Messrs. P. W. Daniels and I. E. Wesson, of this city, are at present erecting a large feed store and implement warehouse, and it is only a matter of a short time until Bell City will be one of the busiest little places in this section”.
“The new town is located fifteen miles southwest of Welsh , and is in the midst of a rice growing section and will be a boon to that portion of Calcasieu. The building of the new railroad from Lake Charles to Lake Arthur will open a new country adapted to rice culture and adds considerably to the area of the cultivation of that cereal in southwest Louisiana.”
Events and Charters
About 1895 Christian College was built on the present site of the Bell City ball park by Martin and Willie Hebert and Dallas and Dan Hayes. It consisted of at least four buildings; two dormitories, one for teachers and workers, and one for classrooms.1907 Jan 17 The Charter of Bell City Mercantile Co. with a capital stock of $10,000 for conducting general merchandise business. Isaac Derouen is president, Stephen E. Stine is vice president, Placide Derouen in Secretary and treasurer. Along with Paul W. Daniels they are the first board of directors.
1908 Mar 24 The Charter of Bell City College with a domicile at Bell City, Louisiana was filed with the district clerk.
1909 May 31 The Railroad Commission reports Louisiana Western railway is to build a combination depot at Bell City
1918 The present Bell City School began operation. LD Bayne was first principal, followed by TS Cooley, Thompson, James Dent and Stanford Cox who was principal for 32 years.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
(1939–1945), a prisoner of war camp was erected in the center of Bell City, furnishing laborers for area farmers whose sons and farm hands had gone off to war.
1944 April 4 The Bell City Library opened and was originally housed in the Bell City Elementary School with operating hours from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Fridays. Mrs. Max Johnston was the first Branch Manager. In August 1944, the Library moved into a small office owned by Andrew Delaney, husband of the Library's Branch Manager, Hanan V. Delaney. It was housed in the office until 1990 when the Capitol Improvement Program allowed purchase of land, renovation and expansion of a new building. Work was completed and the new library opened in January 1994.
The Calcasieu Parish Public Library merged the Bell City and Hayes branches on December 28. The merger of the two branches, which are 1.2 miles apart, a two-minute trip by car, enables more enhanced service to the area. The last day of operation for the Bell City branch was December 23, 2009.
1950 Jun 05 A Charter for the official Association of Lions Clubs was presented to the Bell City-Hayes-Holmwood Lions Club at the Bell City High gymnasium.
1951 Jan 28 The Broussard Dairy
Dairy
A dairy is a business enterprise established for the harvesting of animal milk—mostly from cows or goats, but also from buffalo, sheep, horses or camels —for human consumption. A dairy is typically located on a dedicated dairy farm or section of a multi-purpose farm that is concerned...
, at Bell City, received grade A rating for their pasteurization plant.
Climate
Residents of Bell City always stay aware of the possibility of evacuations during the official hurricane season from June 1 to November 30.On average, the warmest month is July with an average high of 91°F.
The highest recorded temperature was 105°F in 2000.
On average, the coolest month is January with an average low of 41°F.
The lowest recorded temperature was 11°F in 1951.
The maximum average precipitation occurs in May with average rainfall of 6.06 inches and the minimum average precipitation occurs in February with average rainfall of 3.27 inches.
Demographics
2000 United States Census Demographic Profile Highlights| General Characteristics - for 70630 | Number |
|---|---|
| Total population | 892 |
| Male | 445 |
| Female | 447 |
| Median age (years) | 33.9 |
| Under 5 years | 57 |
| 18 years and over | 639 |
| 65 years and over | 91 |
| White | 878 |
| Black or African American | 8 |
| Other Race | 2 |
| Two or more races | 4 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 11 |
| Average household size | 2.75 |
| Average family size | 3.24 |
| Total housing units | 385 |
| Owner occupied | 258 |
| Renter-occupied | 66 |
| Vacant | 61 |
| Social Characteristics | Number |
| Civilian veterans ( 18 years and over) | 90 |
| Disability status (5 years and over) | 75 |
| Male, Now married, except separated (population 15 years and over) |
282 |
| Female, Now married, except separated (population 15 years and over) |
285 |
| Speak a language other than English at home (population 5 years and over) |
96 |
| Economic Characteristics | Number |
| Mean travel time to work in minutes (workers 16 years and older) |
33.2 |
| Median household income in 1999 | $37,250 |
| Individuals below poverty level | 52 |
Outdoor Recreation
Bell City Drainage Ditch allows access to hunting and fishing. It makes up the west border of the Lacassine National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
National Wildlife Refuge is a designation for certain protected areas of the United States managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the world's premiere system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife and plants...
which was created in 1937 as a habitat for wintering waterfowl in the coastal prairie of southwestern 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...
.
Government
As per state law, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury has the authority to appoint special districts, boards, commissions, etc. for the purpose of providing specific services for a designated area within the Parish. Each of these districts and boards governs its own activities and has its own budget.Bell City is in Calcasieu Parish Police Jury District 10.
Education
K-12 attend Bell City High School, Bell City, La.The 2000 Census
2000 Census
The following countries conducted a census of the general population in 2000:* Costa Rica, the ninth federal census, conducted at irregular intervals* Indonesia* United States, the 22nd decennial federal census...
recorded 604 adults in Bell City (70630) over the age of 25. Of those, 403 are high school graduates or higher and 64 had Bachelor degrees or higher.
Churches
St John Vianney ChurchFounded in 1939
St. John Vianney Parish occupies the southeastern portion of Calcasieu Civil Parish, a predominantly agricultural area. The parish was officially established in 1939 by the Most Rev. Jules B. Jeanmard
Jules Jeanmard
Jules Benjamin Jeanmard was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Lafayette in Louisiana from 1918 to 1956.-Biography:...
, Bishop of Lafayette, and it serves three communities—Bell City, Hayes and Holmwood.
Prior to the establishment of the parish, Catholics in the area were served by priests from Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Jennings, Louisiana
Jennings, Louisiana
Jennings is a small city in and the parish seat of Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana, United States, near Lake Charles. The population was 10,986 at the 2000 census....
. Later priests from Our Lady of Seven Dolors Parish in Welsh, Louisiana
Welsh, Louisiana
Welsh is a town in Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 3,380 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Jennings Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Welsh is located at ....
and then from St. Raphael Parish in Iowa, Louisiana
Iowa, Louisiana
Iowa is a town in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 2,663 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Lake Charles Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
celebrated Mass in the area.
A chapel dedicated to St. Joseph was built about 1900, and served until it was destroyed by a storm in 1939.
The founding pastor, the Rev. Mathias J. Cramers, arrived in April 1938 to get things moving. A hall which the Altar Society had built to hold fund-raising bazaars was transformed into a temporary chapel for the celebration of Mass. First item on Father Cramer's agenda was the construction of a rectory, which was completed in August 1939.
The next project was a church, and the groundbreaking was held on Aug. 8, 1940. The building was completed, and was dedicated by Bishop Jeanmard on Dec. 1 of the same year. The first parish trustees were Ferdinand Nunez and Harry Verret. The first official parish records began in May 1939. Earlier records were kept in Jennings, beginning in 1892, in Welsh from 1904 and Iowa from 1930.
In 1950 the Rev. Daniel Habetz succeeded Father Cramers as pastor, and one of his first projects was the construction of St. Daniel Chapel in Hayes, on property donated by Mr. and Mrs. Felix Hebert. The chapel was dedicated on April 16, 1953, and St. Daniel Mission was officially attached to St. John Vianney Parish.
Over the years, many improvements have been made on church facilities. In 1981 the church in Bell City was renovated. There is also a Catechism
Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is the official text of the teachings of the Catholic Church. A provisional, "reference text" was issued by Pope John Paul II on October 11, 1992 — "the thirtieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council" — with his apostolic...
center behind the rectory, and halls in Bell City and Hayes.
In 2000, the parish served a congregation
Local church
A local church is a Christian congregation of members and clergy.Local church may also refer to:* Local churches , a Christian group based on the teachings of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee, and associated with the Living Stream Ministry publishing house.* Parish church, a local church united with...
of 375 families and the pastor was the Rev. V. Wayne LeBleu,, assigned in 1999. 250 students from kindergarten through grade 12 attended instruction.
Another major organization is Bell City's Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....
Council 3048, which was organized and chartered on April 9, 1957, with Matthew Fruge as the charter Grand Knight.
The Bell City Ladies Altar Society was formed in 1905, with Mrs. Dulva Derouen as first president. The Ladies Altar Society in Hayes, Louisiana
Hayes, Louisiana
Hayes is an unincorporated community located in the southeast corner of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, United States It is part of the Lake Charles Metropolitan Statistical Area....
was organized in 1952, with Mrs. Elias Lorrain as the first president.
During the parish's half century a number of parishioners have been singled out for honors in recognition of outstanding service to the church. Mrs. Helen Zaunbrecher was decorated by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
in 1982 with the Papal Cross
Papal Cross
The papal cross or ferula is the pastoral staff used by the Pope. This is in contrast to other bishops, who use a crozier.The pastoral staff carried by the popes since Pope Paul VI is a contemporary single-barred cross, designed by the Italian artist Lello Scorzelli and carried in the same manner...
of Honor Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice
Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice
The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal is an award of the Roman Catholic Church. It is also known as the "Cross of Honour". The medal was established by Leo XIII on July 17, 1888, to commemorate his golden sacerdotal jubilee and was originally bestowed on those women and men who had aided and...
.
Matthew Fruge was invested as an Officer in the Order of St. Charles by Bishop Jude Speyrer
Jude Speyrer
Jude Speyrer D.D., is an U.S Roman Catholic bishop. Born in Leonville, Louisiana, Speyrer was ordained to the priesthood on July 25, 1953 and appointed the first Bishop of Lake Charles on January 29, 1980 by Pope John Paul II; he was consecrated and installed on April 25, 1980...
in 1982 after receiving the Bishop's Medal from the Diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of Lafayette in 1966.
Barbara Theriot, Ester Harrington, Mary Leger and Pauline Poole were decorated with the Diocese of Lake Charles Devoted Service Medal in 1992.
Here is a list of pastors who have served St. John Vianney Parish, with the years they were assigned to the parish: 1939 - Rev. Mathias J. Cramers; 1950 - Rev. Daniel Habetz; 1958 - Rev. A. W. Van Buijtenen; 1967 - Rev. Fernand N. Gouaux; 1969 - Rev. Rosaire Veilleux; 1973 - Rev. Francis Bourgeois; 1977 - Rev. Robert L. Shreve; 1985 - Rev. Roland Vaughn; 1991 - Rev. Milton P. Miller; 1993 Rev. John A. Poerio and 1999 - Rev. V. Wayne LeBleu. Rev. Albert Borel served as pastor until June 30, 2008 when he was transferred to St. John Bosco in Westlake.