10.1.08

Barber Spur and the Y

I didn't know why Barber Spur was named that but Mr. Dowell told me today that it was named after a railway spur. It was a part of the railway where the train would leave an empty car or supplies, and then another one would come by later and pick it up. The Barber part of the name is anyone's guess; maybe there was a barber shop set up at the spur, or maybe it was named after a woman. Barber Spur had more action back in the day: bars, lounges, unofficial whorehouses, and grocery stores. The train roared through, people shopped for groceries at a local place rather than at Wal-Mart, partied at the bars, etc. The place is called the Y because before they built the extended 13 there was a fork in the road, whether you were coming from Pine Prairie or from Mamou.

The name stuck and many people, including me, wondered why it was called the Y when it's actually a cross. The "cross" was made when hwy 13 extended pass where the new Shell is located to Mamou. So, I guess the old Y is the road next to the Quick Stop, going towards Reddell and Mamou. I found that interesting and merci, Mr. Dowell, for telling me some new information. I also asked Mom about the trains passing and she told me they used to look out the window at Mere Mere Odette's house and watch it pass, and they would wait to cross into or out from L'Anse Grise for the train to rumble by. I don't remember a train at all, but Dad said we saw it when we were young.

Evangeline Parish French Creole Heritage

That's it for me. It's been real. I used to talk about this subject on forums and with people and several found it annoying. Evangel...