On June 18, 1952, a landman named Dwight Ham walked into Maurice Heymann's office and started talking about building an oil city. Heymann almost threw him out. Instead, he called architect A. Hays Town, started construction in September without a single lease signed, and had every building leased by October. By 1959 the Oil Center had 39 buildings, 350,000 square feet, and 250 oil and gas companies — transforming Lafayette from a sugarcane town into the supply capital of the Gulf offshore industry. The National Park Service designated it a National Register Historic District for its intact mid-century modern architecture and its role in shaping an entire regional economy. It is still an active business district; the restaurants that grew up to feed the oilmen are now among Lafayette's best.
- ·In 1952, landman Dwight Ham proposed an oil city to businessman Maurice Heymann — construction started in September without a single lease signed; every building was leased by October.
- ·By 1959 the Oil Center had 39 buildings, 350,000 square feet, and 250 oil and gas companies.
- ·Transformed Lafayette from a sugarcane town into the supply capital of the Gulf offshore industry.
- ·Listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its intact mid-century modern architecture.
- ·Still an active business district; the restaurants that grew up to feed the oilmen are now among Lafayette's best.
- ·Walkable from downtown. Located along Heymann Boulevard.
Memories
Editorial content compiled with AI assistance. Place details verified against public records.