The Original Founders

In 1950, a group of prominent Houma businessmen informally gathered together for the purpose of starting a new carnival club. Those informal meetings were held at the Mayfair Club on Main Street in Houma. Later that year, the first official meeting was held in the city courtroom in the courthouse following a pre-organization meeting at the office of Dr. Arthur Anisman. The purpose of the club was to bring to the City of Houma the splendor and beauty of a night carnival parade for the first time. At this meeting, officers were elected and the name of the club was decided by popular vote. The founding officers were Frank King, President; Merkle B. Kornegay, Vice-President; Ernest Bille, Secretary and Treasurer. The first Captain of the Krewe of Terreanians was Dr. Arthur Anisman. By parade time, the Krewe of Terreanians had incorporated as The Greater Houma Carnival Club, Inc.

Many obstacles appeared on the road to success for the club this first year; renting floats at an affordable price, transporting the floats to Houma, finding a way to properly illuminate the floats, and securing costumes. However, after hours of hard work, the Krewe of Terreanians held its first parade at 7:30 on the night before Mardi Gras, Monday February 5, 1951. The officers and members of that first year were rewarded for their efforts by seeing the smiling faces of the youngsters, teenagers and adults who lined the streets of Houma. The parade thrilled thousands of the citizens of Terrebonne and those of nearby parishes who journeyed to Houma to view the spectacle and beg for baubles and beads from the maskers. Membership was fewer than 100 men.

As we celebrate our Golden Anniversary, we respectfully pay tribute to our past. Since a booklet detailing each of our past years had never been complied, we thought it appropriate to do so this year: As we began compiling information, we unfortunately discovered that most records from the past (particularly the 1950's and 1960's) had been lost, destroyed, or simply not kept. Accordingly, many years had to be researched and "reconstructed" from past ball and tableau programs, from newspaper accounts of club activities, and from those who were there "backthen." This task, begun about five years ago, was completed successfully in time for our special celebration in 2000.

For me, this booklet truly qualifies as a labor of love, for I have had opportunities to interview many of our past kings, queens, dukes, maids, pages, captains, and presidents. I sincerely thank them all for sharing not only useful facts but also for their enthusiastically recounted "behind the scenes" stories.

Having researched the "History of the Krewe Of Terreanians" indeed, the history of Carnival celebrations in Terrebonne Parish - I find it evident that the success of our club derives from the loyalty, dedication, and hard work of our officers, directors, and members. These men, who, from the very first year through today, have been determined to bring to the citizens of Terrebonne Parish the best most enthusiastic carnival club, one that every member can proudly call his own!

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Safety & Laws	The Founders or Terreanians		Doug Keese