(KPLC) - For the next year, KPLC will be looking back at significant people and milestones that helped shape our communities leading up to our country’s 250th birthday.

Browse through significant events in Southwest Louisiana history below.

Aug. 1, 1989: Hurricane Chantal made landfall in High Island, Texas. It was the first hurricane of the season and though just a Category 1 storm, it damaged property across the coast, stretching through SWLA. A total of 13 deaths were attributed to Chantal, ten of those being people who drowned after being trapped in a a lift boat south of Morgan City.

Aug. 2, 1947: Football star Billy Cannon is born. He was raised in Baton Rouge and his outstanding talents on the gridiron led him to LSU. The “All-American” SEC player of the Year and Heisman Tr

See Full Page