Oakridge Ranch (est. 1984) in Sunset, Louisiana is owned and operated by the family of the late
Dr. George Philip Coussan of Lafayette, Louisiana. The now 134 acre ranch is nestled along the banks of historic Bayou
Bourbeaux between La. Hwy 182 and 178 and was at one time the site of the Clover Farm Dairy in Sunset. Legend holds that skirmishes
during the Battle of Bourbeaux took place on the grounds as the Confederate Army on horseback crossed the gradual slope of
a peninsula on Bayou Bourbeaux under the cloak of darkness for a surprise rear attack on the Union just north of the Opelousas
to Vermilionville Hwy (now Hwy 182).
After purchasing the property in 1984,
Dr. George went to work with a singular vision: to cultivate grounds and operate a working ranch suitable for Arabian horse
champions. With the help - sometimes begrudgingly - of his four children, Cheri, Ashly, Jean-Paul and Angele, along
with his ole’ friend Mr. Shirley and countless friends and passers-by, Dr. George meticulously planted hundreds of live
oak trees, azaleas, crepe myrtles, magnolias, fruit trees and a variety of other shrubs and vines throughout the property
in strategic fashion, along the roads and black wooden fences, around the pond, next to trellises and on walking trails.
Prior to his untimely death in 1993, the working ranch boasted 13 award winning Arabians and 30 head of Beefmaster cattle.
Since 1993, Oakridge has been painstakingly managed by Jo Ellen Coussan who,
as primary groundskeeper, has continued the tradition of planting numerous plants and manicuring the property for posterity.
Over the years, Oakridge has been the site of wedding ceremonies, receptions, engagement parties, campouts, retreats, reunions,
football practice, a TV commercial, cross-country racing, tennis tournaments, fishing tournaments, Easter egg hunts, civil
war treasure hunts, birthday parties, barbeques and crawfish boils. It has also been the Coussan family’s home
away from home.
The Coussan family is thrilled to have Michelle Austin and
Joie de Vivre Farm join us at Oakridge Ranch as we continue to beautify the property and pursue the vision of Dr. George Coussan.
|