By Stephen Hemelt
L’Observateur

DESTREHAN — A picture can be worth a thousand words, which came in handy for Louisiana artist Hans Geist as he went back more than 300 years to capture the rich history that makes St. Charles Parish and the River Region truly unique.

Geist, who lives just outside of Houma, was commissioned by the St. Charles Museum and Historical Association to create a historical mural at Cashio’s Food Villa along River Road in Destrehan.

The large-scale visual history lesson will be officially dedicated at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the parking lot of the mural site.

Association Secretary Marilyn Richoux said the residents of greater St. Charles Parish are the beneficiaries of a unique culture evolving over three centuries, and the mural represents that history.

“It tells the story of those who were here before us and the many other cultures that followed,” she said, the history and mural pays respect “to the courageous men, women and children who left their countries in search of a better life and those who came in bondage to overcome profound suffering and unbelievable hardships, and persevered to carve and establish St. Charles Parish as we know it today.”

The mural was painted on panels, which were put in place on the east exterior wall of Cashio’s Food Villa, a site chosen because the wall lends itself to a mural of this size and is also within the Mile of History.

The St. Charles Parish Council officially designated the Mile of History Oct. 1, 2007, in recognition of the many historic sites within the parish. It begins at Destrehan Plantation and ends at Bustards Cove (Van’s Lane) in New Sarpy.

“(The Mural and Mile of History) walks us through the triumphs and the tragedies into contemporary times,” Richoux said. “The poetry and romance of St. Charles Parish lives on today, where symbols of our remarkable heritage remain.”

Geist, who was assisted by Alvin Naquin, said working as an artist can be challenging, yet very rewarding.

“I have had the pleasure of traveling, meeting wonderful people and experiencing many diverse opportunities in my career,” he said. “My artwork is my life. I think I’ve been drawing and painting since I was in the womb.”