After two years, the sustainable development lab of UL Lafayette got the Lafayette neighborhood Freetown the federal recognition.

Freetown got its name when Governor Mouton granted property to his freed slaves in the 1840s.

The neighborhood is one of the oldest in Lafayette and is now acknowledged on the National Register of Historic Places.

Attorney Glenn Armentor says, the history of Freetown is unique to not only in Lafayette or Louisiana but all of America.

The neighborhood of Freetown starts about a block over from Johnston Street near the city court, to Cypress Street by the railroad, all the way to Lamar Street and over to Jefferson Street. About 20 square blocks make up this historic area.

Armentor tells KLFY’s Brooke Silverang that the four areas of; Freetown Port-Rico, Croppoville, and Veazey.

“Freetown Port-Rico community itself is still a very diverse, a very inclusive close knit group of very different people.”

Country Attorney Armentor grew up in Freetown and remembers playing by the old church. He feels that the National Registry is overdue to acknowledge the area.

“I knew every street and cranny and building and person when I was growing up, im very familiar with Freetown and I love Freetown.”

There are over 600 buildings which contribute to this historical neighborhood. Tax credits are also given to anyone who lives in one of the contributing buildings that is over 50 years old.