New Iberia, LA (NIB)

Ticket Revenue

FY 2011

$89,877

Station Ridership

FY 2011

1,667

Note: Fiscal year is from
October through September.

The New Iberia station is a brick structure constructed in 1900 by the Texas and New Orleans Railroad, a predecessor to the Southern Pacific Railroad. It also serves as the Louisiana & Delta Railroad headquarters building. The Louisiana & Delta Railroad (LDRR) was formed in 1987, the same year the New Iberia station became listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The single story brick station, listed as the Southern Pacific Railroad Depot on the Register, was built in the Romanesque style which, despite some changes over the years, still retains its turn-of-the-century character.

The town of New Iberia is located in South Louisiana, a region rich in Cajun culture which conjures up images of bayous with Spanish moss draping over cypress trees. New Iberia dates from spring 1779, when it was founded by Bernardo de Galvez and a group of 500 Malaguenian colonists who named it in honor of the Iberian Peninsula. It is the only town in Louisiana founded by the Spanish during the colonial era. The Spanish colonists reached New Iberia via Bayou Teche and settled around Spanish Lake. While the Spanish settlers referred to the town as “Nueva Iberia,” the French called it “Nouvelle Ibérie,” and the American settlers dubbed it “New Town.” It was not until 1847 that the Louisiana state legislature officially named the town New Iberia.

In late 1879, the first passenger train pulled into New Iberia from New Orleans, the biggest event for transportation and the economy since 1819, when the Attakapas Steamboat Co. was organized and began bringing merchandise from New Orleans to New Iberia, greatly increasing commerce in the town. The railroad was planned to be built in 1859, but the start of the Civil War delayed the project 20 years. Once the railroad was completed, within the next few years New Iberians could travel by rail to Houston, Avery Island, and Abbeville. Products from these cities began flowing into New Iberia. and were then shipped throughout the nation.

The railroad became even more important for New Iberia once lumber companies discovered the cypress forests surrounding the town. Saw mills and factories sprung up in the area, greatly aiding the ailing post-bellum economy. New Iberian cypress tress provided roof tiles as well as cisterns for Midwestern homes.

New Iberians enjoy frequent festivals and parades. The town fetes Mardi Gras with extravagant parades and balls. In late September, New Iberians celebrate a three-day annual Sugarcane Festival and Fair, which includes a boat parade on Bayou Teche as well as street parades. In October the town enjoys the annual Gumbo Cookoff, a contest in which local contestants compete to see who cooks the best version of this local dish.

Other cultural attractions include the McIlhenny Tabasco factory. This famous hot sauce, found on tables worldwide, was born right outside of New Iberia on Avery Island. For fans of antebellum history, Shadows-on-the-Teche, an antebellum home that is the property of the National Trust For Historic Preservation, is open to the public for events such as exhibitions, lectures, children's' programs, and re-enactments. New Iberia’s historic commercial district won a 2005 Great American Main Street Award, sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, for its successful revitalization efforts.

Amtrak does not provide ticketing and baggage services at this facility.

New Iberia is served by tri-weekly train service.