Arnaudville – Local historian, educator, and writer Floyd Knott will release his highly anticipated third book, Where the Old West Begins, A Collection of Le Vieux Temps Columns About the Old Times in Acadiana, on September 27th. The book will be available at Bayou Teche Brewing. Signed copies will also be available for purchase.
Where the Old West Begins is a rich historical and cultural exploration of Southwest Louisiana, weaving together personal experiences, historical events, and the evolution of the region. Knott covers a wide array of topics—from the Old West and major wars to folklore and technological advancements. He highlights the region’s deep ties to the cattle industry, explores the cultural influences of Germans, French Canadians, Native Americans, and African immigrants, and brings to life the landscapes, traditions, and historical figures that shaped Acadiana.
At 91 years old, Knott felt compelled to write this book after more than a decade of contributing his wellloved Le Vieux Temps column to the Teche News. “After writing over 250 articles, I wanted to gather those stories and expand them into something lasting for future generations,” Knott explained.
Knott’s lifelong passion for Acadiana’s history is backed by an impressive career. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education, a Master of Education, and a Master of Science in Mathematics/ Computer Science from USL (now UL Lafayette), and was awarded a rare Federal Fellowship in Computer Science. He served in the U.S. Army at the Pentagon’s Intelligence Division, worked under computing pioneer John Mauchly (co-inventor of ENIAC), and later founded his own computer service firm. A passionate educator, Knott taught in Louisiana parishes and at UL Lafayette, and he dedicated 28 years to the St. Martin Parish School Board, including five terms as president.
In addition to this new release, Knott has authored two previous books: The Knott Family— From Saxony to Acadiana (2005) and The Noth-Knott Story (2023). Now retired in Arnaudville, Knott continues to research, write, and share his deep love for Acadiana.
