CBS News Piece on Cajuns in 1983 Offers Glimpse Into Acadiana's Past

The 43-year-old news segment provides a fascinating look at Cajun culture before the construction of I-10 and I-49 transformed the region.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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In 1983, CBS News traveled to South Louisiana to shine a spotlight on the Cajuns of Acadiana. The news piece offers a glimpse into what the region was like before the construction of I-10 and I-49, which had a profound impact on Acadiana's Cajun and Creole culture. While much has changed in the 43 years since the segment was filmed, the video also reveals how many Cajun traditions have managed to endure.

Why it matters

The 1983 CBS News segment provides a unique historical perspective on Acadiana, capturing the region's culture and way of life before the interstates connected it more closely to the rest of the country. This offers valuable insight into how the construction of I-10 and I-49 transformed the area, both positively and negatively, and the importance of preserving Cajun traditions in the face of rapid development and modernization.

The details

The CBS News piece highlights various aspects of Cajun culture in Acadiana in the early 1980s, including the use of the French language, traditional music and dance, and the tight-knit community centered around places like the iconic Fred's Lounge in Mamou. The video showcases how Acadiana was geographically and culturally isolated prior to the completion of the interstate system, which allowed Cajun culture to thrive and be preserved over generations.

  • The full stretch of I-10 from Texas to Mississippi was completed in 1978.
  • The first segment of I-49 opened in 1982 near Opelousas, Louisiana and was fully completed in May of 1996.
  • The CBS News segment was filmed in 1983, just a few years after the construction of I-10 and as the initial phases of I-49 were underway.

The players

Acadiana

The region of South Louisiana known for its strong Cajun and Creole cultural heritage.

I-10

The major interstate highway that connects Texas and Mississippi, which was completed in 1978 and had a significant impact on Acadiana's isolation and development.

I-49

The interstate highway that runs from Lafayette, Louisiana to Kansas City, Missouri, with the first segment opening in 1982 and the full route completed in 1996.

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What they’re saying

“The construction of I-10 and I-49 and the 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.”

— Michael Dot Scott, Author (1079ishot.com)

What’s next

The 1983 CBS News segment provides a valuable historical record of Acadiana's Cajun culture before the region was significantly transformed by the construction of the interstate highway system. As Acadiana continues to evolve, preserving and sharing this type of archival footage can help educate current and future generations about the region's rich cultural heritage.

The takeaway

The 1983 CBS News piece on the Cajuns of Acadiana offers a fascinating glimpse into the region's past, capturing a time when Cajun culture was more geographically and culturally isolated. While much has changed since then, the video also reveals how many Cajun traditions have endured, underscoring the importance of preserving this unique way of life in the face of rapid development and modernization.