Topic Guide to Leprosy in Louisiana

The information and links below include search tips and a selection of articles covering this topic in the digitized Louisiana newspapers. The dates and suggested search terms can help to further explore this topic on Chronicling America. For the most search results, try the search terms in different combinations, in proximity, and as phrases.

Significant Dates

1850 - US Census lists four Louisiana deaths as result of leprosy (now known as Hansen's Disease)
1888 - Data leaked from New Orleans Charity Hospital reveals leprosy is endemic
1880s - Rate of incidence for leprosy rises
1894 - Louisiana Leper Home opens in Carville, LA at former sugar plantation known as Indian Camp, becomes center for research and treatment of lepers from throughout United States
1905 - State purchases Leper Home and assumes custody of patients
1909 - Leper Home damaged by hurricane; Repairs cost an estimated $8,000
1917 - US Senate passes legislation to found National Leprosarium
1921 - Leper Home selected as site for National Leprosarium to be administered by the US Public Health Service, and renamed US Marine Hospital No. 66: The National Leprosarium; Funding for research and treatment is increased

Suggested Search Terms

leprosy, leper, leper home, louisiana leper home, leper colony, Carville

Sample Articles

• "Leprosy" The Ouachita Telegraph, December 13, 1878, Image 2
• "Leprosy in LaFourche" The Colfax Chronicle, January 04, 1879, Image 1
• "Back to Leper's Land" The Louisiana Democrat, March 03, 1886, Image 1
• "The Panic of Leprosy " The Weekly Messanger, May 07, 1887, Image 1
• "Leprosy in Louisiana" Colfax Chronicle, May 28, 1887, Image 1
• "Leprosy in North America" The Banner-Democrat, July 21, 1894, Image 2
• “Leper Hospital” St. Tammany Farmer, September 15, 1894, Image 2
• "Will Ignore All Proposals" St. Tammany Farmerl, January 19, 1895, Image 2
• “We Congratulate the People of Iberville Parish” The Louisiana Democrat, July 08, 1896, Image 2
• “The Leper Home” The Lafayette Gazette, June 11, 1898, Image 1
• "Senator Babbington Volunteered" St. Tammany Farmer, June 30, 1900, Image 2
• "Leper's Home Damaged" The Opelousas Courier, October 02, 1909, Image 1
• "Leper Family Taken to Lepers' Home" The Lafayette Advertiser, March 07, 1911, Image 1
• "Insane Leper" The Lafayette Advertiser, November 12, 1912, Image 1
• "Escape Insane Leper In Terror" The Era-Leader, November 14, 1912, Image 4
• "This Leper Had No Welcome" Abbeville Progress, August 16, 1913, Image 4
• "Several Lepers are Discharged as Cured" St. Landry Clarion, February 28, 1914, Image 6
• "Providing for the Lepers" The Rice Belt Journal, March 13, 1914, Image 2
• “Improvements of Leper Home Planned” The Caldwell Watchman, March 20, 1914, Image 1
• "Four Lepers Cured in Louisiana Home" The Colfax Chronicle, January 13, 1917, Image 3
• "Escaped Leper Located in Ascension" The Donaldsonville Chief, April 06, 1918, Image 3
• "Algiers Man Transferred to National Leprosarium" The Herald, February 17, 1921, Image 1
• "National Leper Home in Carville" The Herald, September 07, 1922, Image 13