Echoes of a Forgotten Town: Discovering the Hidden Stories of Lecompte, Louisiana
Last night, I was talking to a couple of friends from New Mexico, trying to explain what life is like in a small farming town in Central Louisiana. I discussed in depth the poverty and decay that have come to define the area. I shared how the town of Lecompte (pronounced "le-count") was once very prosperous—a railroad town that thrived on cotton, sugar cane, and lumber. I explained how the decline in demand for those goods, combined with the construction of an interstate highway nearby that diverted tourists away from the town, ultimately sealed its fate.
My friends were genuinely shocked when I mentioned that I could see about a dozen abandoned houses and stores from my front yard.
You really can't grasp just how dire the situation is in this part of the country unless you see it for yourself. My words alone couldn't possibly do the subject justice.
After reflecting on our conversation, I decided to grab my camera and document the state of things in Lecompte. It was an unusual Saturday morning here in Central Louisiana because the weather was cool and dry—just right for exploring the town and capturing the images I wanted. Normally, the heat and humidity make such outings quite uncomfortable.
But enough about the weather.
The image above tells a story that is repeated throughout the town. I don’t know when the owner of that car parked it there, but it has been long enough for the surrounding flora to begin enveloping it. Likewise, the house behind it is nearly covered in vines. Someone walked away from that home and the car in front of it and never returned. You see this often in Louisiana: vehicles and homes that people have simply abandoned. It always unnerves me a bit to find both an abandoned home and a car like this. I can’t help but wonder if the owner passed away in the house and no one ever came to check on them.
I always pray that’s not the case.
It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words, so I hope that the images I captured will speak volumes about life in Lecompte. Admittedly, not all the homes and businesses here are vacant. There is a successful old restaurant along the highway called Lea’s Pies, a furniture store, a karate studio, and a company that works on power lines downtown. Additionally, around 900 residents still call Lecompte home. It wouldn’t be fair to refer to Lecompte as a ghost town. However, if you knew the town's history and compared it to its current state, it paints a grim picture of what it may eventually become in the future.
Soak in these images and listen to the stories they tell about life in a small farming town in Central Louisiana.
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