kayaking on Loch Leven near Glencoe, Scotland, 2018

kayaking on Loch Leven near Glencoe, Scotland, 2018

Sunday, November 30, 2014

A Little Town Called Scott -- Louisiana's Cajun Art Capital

On the way home from a quick trip to Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving, we stopped in Scott to explore this laid back little Louisiana town. We discovered Scott is quite a treat!

The first thing a visitor of Scott notices is the quirky odd roundabout right off the highway. I think an intersection with a light would work better, but that’s only my opinion.


When I go to a town I've never been to before, usually my first stop is the welcome center. Scott has an interesting-looking visitors’ center, easy to find, right by the roundabout, with a nice duck pond. Sadly, it was closed.


But that didn't stop these guys from rocking on the porch.


So we were on our own. We drove up St. Mary’s Street. The town has a historical feel – old well-preserved buildings and small tidy homes. And then this caught my eye.


This gallery was closed, with an “open by appointment” sign. But next door is the Gallery Acadie.


We walked in and found two men painting at easels. Colorful art work adorned the walls. We struck up a fascinating conversation with one of the artists, Bryan Theriot, and learned a lot about the town and how they promote the Cajun culture through their artwork. He told us the 1902 building was originally the town saloon and the original bar still flanks one wall.

Theriot on left and his business partner Brad Oleus Boudreaux.


Theriot also told us about one of his mentors, world-renown Cajun illustrator Floyd Sonnier, who once lived and worked in the building. Sonnier used pen and ink to create scenes depicting the Cajun country lifestyle or buildings in Cajun towns. He also drew festival posters. Across the street from Gallery Acadie is Sonnier’s Beau Cajun Art Gallery, operated by Sonnier’s widow, Virlie. Sonnier died in 2002.



For these reasons, Scott has recently been named Louisiana’s Cajun Art Capital.

Not far from these galleries is a charming antique shop called Revival. They have a large inventory of antique furniture, among other things.


I’m also told there is a Christmas shop in Scott, but we didn't see that. And there’s this coffee shop. I like it when a town converts their old train station into something useful. Trains still zip through the center of town every 15 minutes.


Scott is also well-known for boudin. They have a boudin festival every April. There are several purveyors of boudin in the area. The artists recommended The Best Stop. Supposedly, they were the first to sell boudin in the area.



So we went there first and bought three boudin balls. I prefer boudin balls to links. Just seems easier, not messing with the casings. For my non-Louisiana readers, boudin is a special sausage made (mostly) from a pork and rice mixture. The boudin balls are that same mixture but made into meatballs, breaded and fried.

Then we tried the more visible (right on the interstate) Don’s Boudin. We bought more boudin balls there. I won’t say which I preferred, BUT Best Stop sold 3 boudin balls for $1.50 and Don’s were 2 for $1.50. And Don’s tasted saltier.


Another fun surprise was Candyland Cottage and Ice Cream Shoppe.


They sell a variety of confections, including some hard-to-find vintage candies, and Blue Bell ice cream. They have a large Christmas display and a fun collection of antique toys. There’s a patio with tables in the back by a pond.

Scott is conveniently located right on I-10, just west of Lafayette. Definitely worth a trip!

10 comments:

Common Household Mom said...

Rocking chairs on the porch - what a great way to welcome people, even if the welcome center is not open!

I can't believe you drove to/from PA. But how wonderful to find such an interesting town during your travels.

Unknown said...

I'm born and raised in Scott. Thanks for giving our town a chance.... its a true Southern jewel.

Gina Broussard said...

Right next to the Gallerie was a brick building that used to be the bank of Scott and now is the home of Paul Begnaud. His home has I guess about 20' ceilings and is totally covered with paintings of all sorts and most of them antique! Wish you would have had a chance to drop in. His kitchen is actually in the vault and he always welcomes visitors. Go back for Pie Day which is always a Good Friday tradition where they cook over 100 sweet dough pies and lots of coffee and welcome visitors all day long. You can search it on the internet. There have been many articles written on him and his home.

Angie Kay Dilmore said...

Gina, I saw that building and was intrigued by it. Bryan told us it used to be a bank and a man lives there. I even said to my family, "I wonder what he has in the vault." Thanks for the tip on Pie Day. I would love to check it out!

Anonymous said...

Hi Angie, Thanks for stopping in our little city of Scott. Glad to read/see some of the things that Scott has to offer. When you were at the Scott Heritage Information Center, did you notice the caboose and next to it was the information board? On it was a map of the city of Scott outlining the Historical area of Scott. there was also a bar code (in beta test mode) for you to download some information on the 46 buildings listed on the map. We will be making this out "Walking/driving tour of the Historical District of Scott (under development), with info, pictures and a brief description of each building. Most builds are private residences and not open to the public, however, you did stop at some of the notable places here in Scott. You were threated very well by the two artists at Gallery Acadie, which was the old Bourque's bar Not sure of the time of day you came thru but hopefully you can make a return visit to see and experience more of what we in Scott can offer. Oh, by the way, the Begnaud House (Scott Heritage Information Center) has jammin' on the porch on Friday nights, when the young meet up with the older musicians and play/learn Cajun music. See what you missed? I am Dennis Carr, current president of the Scott Historical and Genealogical Society. Thanks for stopping by and writing about us. Came back now!

Angie Kay Dilmore said...

Thank you, Dennis. That's some terrific stuff! Yes, I did see the caboose. I would love to hear the music on Fridays.

Anonymous said...

Great article! Reading it made me feel like i was there & made me homesick. I was born & raised in Acadiana...100% Cajun blood. Been a metro ATL resident since 1992, but Cajun country will always be home. Have traveled to many other states & some abroad...nothing like the people, food & culture of south Louisiana! You didn't say it, but I will...Best Stop boudin, sausage & everything is much better than Don's!! So many wonderful places to explore...glad you enjoyed!

Angie Kay Dilmore said...

I agree about the people, food, and culture! And yes, I liked Best Stop better. Not only for taste, but atmosphere, too. Best Stop was a cool mom and pop place. Don's seemed very commercialized.

Anonymous said...

Big Boo

I was born in Rayne, Louisiana and when mom left the hospital she brought me to our house in Scott. I've been living in Scott ever since and am turning 63 this month. A great place to live and bring up a family. Thanks for the compliments.

Angie Kay Dilmore said...

You're welcome, Gerald, and thank you. Lucky you! Living in Scott your whole life!