A tribe of Comanche Indians, led by their chief, Lacassine, migrated to southwest Louisiana to hunt and fish, until around 1822. Lacassine and his squaw remained behind to settle near what would become the Town of Welsh. Today Welsh promotes itself as "Gateway to the Lacassine Wildlife Refuge," a hunter's and fisherman's paradise to the south of the town. Welsh's history is rooted in the rice and cattle industries, both of which are major components of its economic fabric today.

The town recently underwent extensive renovation work, including new brick sidewalks, the addition of old New Orleans-style street lamps, and the refurbishing of several buildings and storefronts including a new Community Center.

Welsh is the site of a number of classic south Louisiana festivals and celebrations, including an Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Family Picnic, the St. Joseph Summer Festival in September, the Fall Arts & Crafts Festival in October, and Welsh Threshing Day in late October or early November. Please see our Calendar of Events for more information.

Statistics & Facts:

The population of Welsh is 3,454 (2006).
The approximate number of families is 1,266.
The amount of land area in Welsh is 16.095 sq. kilometers.
Welsh is located in southwestern Louisiana adjacent to the I-10.
Welsh is located in Jefferson Davis Parish.
Global position is 30.23 degrees north of the equator and 92.81 degrees west of the prime meridian.
The distance from Welsh to:
Baton Rouge (state capital): 102 miles
Houston, TX: 166 miles
New Orleans, LA: 201 miles
Lake Charles, LA: 25 miles
Lafayette, LA: 52 miles
Cameron, LA (Gulf of Mexico): 67 miles