Incredible 1983 CBS News Piece on Cajuns is a Must Watch

LAFAYETTE, La (KMDL-FM) - In 1983, CBS Evening News traveled down to South Louisiana to shine a spotlight on the Cajuns and Cajun culture of Acadiana. Taking a look back at what Acadiana was like only 43 years ago is pretty amazing.

The interesting thing is, as you'll see in the news piece, as much as things have changed in Acadiana since 1983, a lot of things have somehow managed to stay the same...and that's a great thing.

Acadiana Before I-10 and I-49 Were Built

The construction of I-10 and I-49 and the impact on Acadiana's Cajun and Creole culture honestly can't be overstated. The completion of the interstates play a big part of Acadiana’s story, and a lot of people don’t realize how recent the change really is.

Before I-10 and I-49, Acadiana was geographically and culturally tucked away. Not cut off from the world completely, but definitely separated enough to where our Cajun and Creole culture was able to be preserved and thrive.

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That isolation is a big reason Cajun French, music, food, and traditions survived here. This helped Acadiana stay deeply local well into the mid-20th century.

The full stretch of I-10 from Texas to Mississippi was completed in 1978, and the first segment of I-49 opened in 1982 near Opelousas, Louisiana and was fully completed in May of 1996.

When Interstates Arrived, Everything Moved Faster

Once the interstates were complete, Acadiana became part of a larger economic puzzle now that it was much easier to get here. It opened things up and ended Acadiana's semi-isolation that had quietly protected our culture for hundreds of years.

READ MORE: Louisiana Culture - Cajun French Words That Are Disappearing

The completion of the interstates wasn't all bad for Acadiana's culture though, because it also provided easier access for the rest of the U.S. to come and learn about Cajun Country first hand, ultimately creating a boom in tourism for our area that continues to grow year after year.

CBS News - Inside The Beating Heart Of Cajun Country

I wanted to talk about the interstate's impact on Acadiana before we got to the video because I think you'll definitely notice a difference in pre-interstate Acadiana versus today.

But to me, here's the interesting thing...as much I noticed how much things have changed, I feel like a lot has managed to stay the same.

Watch below, and let us know if you know anyone in this video!