History of the Lopez House (museum main building) Juan Lopez, a fisherman from Barcelona, Spain came and settled in Louisiana in the early 1900's. Along with Canary Island descendants, he and other spaniards seine fished the waters of southern Louisiana. On one of his excursions to Houma, Louisiana, he spotted this nice cottage. It consisted of 3 bedrooms on one side, living, dining and kitchen on the other with a porch across the front and back. He purchased the house and brought it to St. Bernard Parish in sections with the help of his crew. A view of the kitchen. Even though Mr. Lopez had lived in Delacroix Island, he reconstructed the house on property he had bought in the community of Caenarvon. At that time, because all activities and the flow of traffic was along the Mississippi River, all homes faced in the direction of the river. In 1927, a hurricane caused a serious break in the river levee. With the force of strong winds and gushes of water, homes were flooded and destroyed. After the storm, Mr Lopez reconstructed the home, turning the 3 bedrooms into a wide living room, bedroom, kitchen and porches across the back and front. By this time, the state was constructing Hwy. 39 and traded properties along the river's edge for footage along Hwy. 39, causing the houses to make an about face towards the highway. The Lopez House is open Thursday through Sunday from 11am to 4pm and is closed on holidays. For more information, call 504-682-1010. About the Lopez Family At the age of 27, Captain Lopez met and married the young 13 year old maiden Marie Gonzales, daughter of Severin Gonzales and Felici Campo. Severin bore the captain 4 sons, Frank (Keys) in 1919, Rojelio (Roe) in 1923, Joseph in 1927 (he died as an infant) and John Jr. (Johnny) in 1930. The heirs of these sons donated the house to the Canary Islands Descendants Association. The association moved the house to the present location to become the home and headquarters of the organization.
Views of the Museum: Blessing of the museum. A view of the bedroom.
Canary Islands Descendants Association 600 St. Bernard Pkwy • Braithwaite, La. 70040 • Ph: 504-682-1010 Email: info@canaryislanders.com Calendar • Donations • Geneology • Join CIDA • Library • Lopez House Isleño Museum Map and Directions to the Museum • Event Reservations CIDA Home Page Copyright © 1998-2003 Areafocus, Inc. All rights reserved.