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The Rayne Depot Square was the place to be on Saturday, Nov. 4, for the second annual Old Spanish Trail Day celebration.
The day-long celebration was hosted by the City of Rayne and the Rayne Chamber of Commerce.
“It was a great day,” said Dr. Eddie Palmer, chairman of the Rayne OST Day Committee and long-time OST enthusiast.
“We had a great crowd who really enjoyed the many exhibits and events held throughout the day at this historic site,” noted Palmer of the Rayne location, corner of U.S. Highway 90 and Louisiana Highway 35, one of many stops of the Old Spanish Trail from Florida to California.
The Old Spanish Trail — OST — was an auto trail that spanned the United States with almost 2,750 miles of roadway from ocean to ocean. It crossed eight states and 67 counties along the southern border of the country.
Work on the auto highway began in 1915 and, by the 1920s, the trail had linked the United States from Florida to California.
During a reception held in October of 2016, Rayne was first, not only in Louisiana, but in the United States to be declared as an “official OST City” by the Old Spanish Trail Association.
Since then, Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux and the Chamber’s OST committee have been busy planning Saturday’s celebration.
The day began with an invocation by Father Christopher Cambre, parochial vicar of St. Joseph Catholic Church, followed by the reading and presentation of the official OST Day Proclamation by Robichaux.
“Today is a great day in the City of Rayne as we celebrate our history,” Robichaux said as he presented the official proclamation. “Today, we celebrate the cultural aspects of our great city, right where our city began, on this very spot.
“I would like to thank everyone who was involved with this celebration.”
The Depot Square was literally transformed “back-in-time” to yesteryear with antique and vintage automobile owners displaying their cars in a reserved area on the 200 block of East Louisiana Avenue near the original Mervine Kahn warehouse, now the present-day Warehouse Events Center.
Wagons and buggies, artists and craftspeople — including quilting, tatting, pottery, blacksmiths, painters and many others — provided demonstrations and displays at the Depot Square.
As a special treat, videos and photographs were displayed at The Bank at Mervine Kahn, site of the original Mervine Kahn Building and original Rayne State Bank “back in the day.”
Food vendors provided homemade BBQ hamburgers, jambalaya, boudin and sweet-dough pies — some made on-site. Soft drinks and bottled water were also provided by members of the Rayne High School Interact Club.
Enjoyable music of the era, including the playing of the song “The OST Special,” was provided by DJ Blaine Dupont, with dancing encouraged.
Also on hand were members of the Cajun French Music Association - Lafayette Chapter who presented a dancing demonstration for all to enjoy.
The Depot Square stage was transformed to days gone by with decorations reminiscent of Rayne’s famous “OST Nite Club”.
Old Spanish Trail signs were strategically placed at all points of entrance and at noted spots along the OST, in and out of the city.
The City of Rayne also provided official Old Spanish Trail stickers for every Rayne business to place on their doors/windows or vehicles. The stickers also are being distributed by the Chamber’s OST committee members. The Rayne Chamber of Commerce office (107 W. Oak St.) also has free stickers available.
“I really appreciate everyone’s help and enthusiasm for this special day,” noted Palmer of the OST Day celebration. “The community’s commitment to our city and its heritage has been wonderful to be a part of. I personally want to thank everyone who donated their time and energy towards this celebration of our city’s history.”
Plans are being made to make the event an annual one, complete with all areas of the downtown section participating.

Indian Bayou - Funeral services for Annie Spell Bertrand, 84, of Ridge, were held on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 11 a.m. in Indian Bayou Methodist Church.
Reverend Larry Maxwell, pastor of Indian Bayou Methodist Church, officiated. Interment followed in Indian Bayou Methodist Cemetery.
Visitation was held on Tuesday, Nov 7, from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. in Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne, with a rosary being recited at 7 p.m. Visitation continued on Wednesday from 8 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. in the funeral home.
Mrs. Bertrand passed away on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in a Rayne health care facility.
Annie was born to Florence and Denry Spell as the youngest of 10 children. After graduating from Crowley High School, she married Leslie Bertrand. Both had a love of people, and were happiest when they were in large gatherings.
Her love of children led her to teaching kindergarten at Fishers Childcare Center for many years. That is where she became known as Aunt Annie. She later opened an in-home daycare and was open for almost 20 years. Many children came through her door and she always wanted them to feel welcomed, like they were at Aunt Annie’s house for fun and activities.
She and Leslie enjoyed life and their time together. She began volunteering at the Rayne Guest Home following the death of her husband. Annie would visit daily to participate in activities and spend time with the residents. She continued to do this for seven years before her health prevented her visits.
During her short stay at Rayne Guest Home, those special friends assisted her end of life care. Annie learned to enjoy audio books, and often bragged about the number she had read.
Annie is survived by her son, Brent Bertrand and wife Tat of Ridge; daughter, Leslie LeBlanc and husband Kim of Ridge; six grandchildren, Bart Bertrand of Ridge, Blaine Bertrand and partner Jorge Padilla of Baton Rouge, Seth LeBlanc and wife Allison of Lafayette, Lori Fruge and husband James of Ridge, Katelyn Dubac and husband Ben of Maurice, and Lane LeBlanc and fiance McKenna of Ridge; six great-grandchildren, Callie, Jaydee, Abby, James, Elli and Owen; and her older sister, Katie Hunt of Lake Jackson, Texas.
Preceding her in death were her husband of 56 years, Leslie Joseph Bertrand; parents, Florence Burke Spell and Dendry Spell; and eight siblings.
Serving as pallbearers were Bart Bertrand, Blaine Bertrand, Brent Bertrand, Seth LeBlanc, Lane LeBlanc and Kim LeBlanc.
The family would like to express sincere appreciation for her care to Hospice of Acadiana, Rayne Guest Home, Lafayette General Medical Center, and Dr. Ken McCarron.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.gossenfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc., of Rayne, (337) 334-3141.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Stasia Anderson Hebert, 68, after a brief illness. She went to be with her Jesus on Sunday, November 5, 2017. Services by Deacon Tom Sommers will be held on Thursday, November 9 at 2 p.m. at the Duhon Funeral Home Chapel of Crowley. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. on Thursday, November 9 until time of services. A Rosary will be recited at 10 a.m. in the chapel. Interment will follow the chapel service and will be in Johnson-Hanks Cemetery in Morse.
She will be remembered by her brother-in-law, Larry (Charlene) Hebert; sisters-in-law, Lucy (Glen) Kibodeaux, Joann (Irving) Abshire all of Crowley and Pris (Calvin) Soileau of Sulphur and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Howard Malay, Sr.; second husband, John Mervin Hebert and her son, Howard Malay, Jr.
We wish to thank Dr. Kilgore and the nurses of Acadia General Hospital as well as the nurses of Lamm Home Hospice for their care and concern.
You may view the obituary, sign the guest registry and express condolences online to Mrs. Hebert’s family online at www.duhonfuneralhome.com.
Duhon Funeral Home, LLC-Crowley (337)783-1395, 1520 Crowley-Rayne Hwy., Crowley, LA 70526 is in charge of all of the arrangements.