HISTORY OF THE HORSE FARM PROPERTY

The property at 2913 Johnston Street, or simply "The Horse Farm" has a rich and varied history, as it has been used agriculturally for over a century. In 1903, the Schoeffler family ancestors moved to Louisiana and established a farm on that location. In 1920, ULL, then Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute, bought the whole parcel of land in three sections, a total of 125 acres. For decades, University presidents and other officials lived on the working farm. The farm was plowed with mules until modern times and was used as the school's dairy farm for years. After the farm's cattle were relocated to St. Martin Parish, the land was used as the University equestrian center and earned the nickname "the Horse Farm." In the mid 1990's, the last horses were moved from their Johnston Street home to St. Martin Parish with the cattle, and the fields have been used for hay ever since. The Horse Farm is the last remaining, significantly-sized piece of beautiful undeveloped public property located within central Lafayette.

We'd love to hear your history with the Horse Farm, so if you or anyone you know would like to share their stories, please email horsefarmhistory@gmail.com. Thanks!

Click here to read about the history of the Save the Horse Farm Campaign.