A former century-old Union Pacific freight depot was restored in 2009 to become the Louisiana Orphan Train Museum. Opelousas was one of many railway destinations for thousands of homeless children rescued from the streets of New York City from 1854 to 1929. With the assistance of The New York Foundling Hospital, more than 2,000 children were placed in homes throughout Louisiana. Opelousas played a significant role in the Orphan Train Movement by welcoming countless children who arrived on the trains. The first Orphan Train arrived in Opelousas in 1907 and was followed by two more trains. The museum is dedicated to preserving the historic arrival of the Orphan Train riders.