Arcadia Publishing Acquires Pelican Publishing, Expanding Legacy of Southern and Regional Storytelling

Arcadia Publishing is proud to announce the acquisition of a majority interest in Pelican Publishing Company, one of Louisiana’s most storied and enduring presses. The partnership unites two heritage publishers dedicated to celebrating local stories, community pride, and regional culture—ensuring that Pelican’s most beloved titles will continue to reach readers for generations to come.

The acquisition will see the Pelican joining Arcadia but remaining a distinct editorial entity with separate editorial direction and continuity of voice. A majority of the titles published in Pelicans illustrious, near-century of business will fold into the Arcadia catalog, with notable exceptions for polemic and politically commentative titles released under former Publishers Stuart Omer Landry and the John and Milburn Calhoun. The Calhoun-Nettleton estate retains ownership of the remaining catalog, numbering nearly 400 individual titles. A full list of titles that are no longer part of the current Pelican catalog and that were retained by the Calhoun-Nettleton estate can be found at the bottom of this page. 

With this acquisition, Arcadia continues its mission to champion local stories and community heritage—building upon Pelican’s nearly century-long legacy as one of the South’s defining publishers.

A Brief History of Pelican Publishing

Pelican Publishing was founded in 1926 in New Orleans by John McClure, a poet, editor, and literary figure deeply connected to the city’s vibrant arts scene. Under McClure’s early direction, Pelican established itself as a home for Southern literature and poetry, publishing works that reflected Louisiana’s creative and cultural identity.

ollowing McClure, the company passed to Stuart Omer Landry, a publisher known for his conservative editorial outlook and strong advocacy of traditional Southern values. Landry oversaw a prolific period of regional nonfiction, historical writing, and polemical commentary, shaping Pelican’s midcentury output.

Later, Pelican was acquired by Hodding Carter, a progressive journalist and Pulitzer Prize–winning editor of the Delta Democrat-Times, who brought a markedly different perspective to the press. Carter’s leadership marked a brief but notable period of reform and literary ambition that positioned Pelican as a serious voice in Southern publishing.

In 1970, the company entered a new era under Dr. Milburn Calhoun, a New Orleans physician and civic leader, whose tenure would guide Pelican for nearly five decades.

The Calhoun Era

Under Dr. Calhoun’s direction, Pelican Publishing became known for its expansive and eclectic catalog—from regional cookbooks and humor to architecture, local history, and folklore. However, this era also included the publication of a number of controversial and politically charged works that reflected Dr. Calhoun’s personal editorial choices rather than Pelican’s broader legacy or mission.

While some external sources have referred to these titles as “Neo-Confederate” works, we recognize this period more accurately as The Calhoun Era—a distinct editorial chapter in Pelican’s history that stands apart from its earlier and later achievements.

It is important to note that Arcadia Publishing did not acquire the titles that defined the "Neo-Confederate" label for Pelican. The rights to those works will remain with Kathleen Nettleton, Dr. Calhoun’s daughter and successor as publisher. 

Arcadia’s acquisition focused on preserving and expanding Pelican’s strongest cultural contributions—its regional cookbooks, folklore, children’s classics, and historical works.

Notable Publications

Throughout its long and varied history, Pelican has published some of the South’s most recognizable and enduring works:

	The Cajun Night Before Christmas Written by Trosclair and illustrated by James Rice, this 1973 Louisiana retelling of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas became a holiday classic and one of the best-selling regional picture books of all time.
	Sherwood Anderson and Other Famous Creoles A Gallery of Contemporary New Orleans – Originally published in 1926 by William Spratling and William Faulkner, this early collection of New Orleans personalities captured the artistic pulse of the city’s creative community.
	Puerto Rican Cookery The English translation of Carmen Aboy Valldejúli’s 1954 classic Cocina Criolla, this seminal cookbook introduced generations of English-speaking readers to authentic Puerto Rican cuisine.
	The Dooky Chase Cookbook A celebration of Leah Chase’s legendary New Orleans restaurant, this cookbook pairs her renowned recipes with family stories, reflections on the restaurant’s traditions, and reproductions from its celebrated African American art collection.

A Continuing Legacy

Pelican Publishing’s legacy—rooted in nearly a century of literary, cultural, and culinary excellence—now finds a home within Arcadia Publishing’s family of imprints. Together, the two companies share a mission: to preserve local history, honor regional voices, and bring readers closer to the places and traditions that shape their communities.

Reference List: Non-acquired Pelican Titles