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Jeanerette, Louisiana

Jeanerette is a city in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, United States. Known as "Sugar City", it had a population of 5,530 at the 2010 census, a decrease of 467 from the 2000 tabulation of 5,997. It is two thirds African American, many of them Creoles of color. Jeanerette is the part of the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area; its parish is also one of the 22 included in the Acadiana region, which has had a high proportion of Francophones.

Early years
In the 18th century, French colonist Pierre Zerangue acquired the land where Jeanerette developed from the Spanish government. Zerangue received an "order of survey and settlement" from Spain for 1052 acre. Under Spanish law, if a person occupied a piece of property for two years, they could apply for title to the land under an "order of survey settlement."

Colonist Nicholas Provost acquired property extending from the present-day experimental farm to the St. Mary Parish line. He engaged in sugar cultivation, based on the labor of enslaved Americans and African Americans, until his death in 1816.

The town derived its name from John W. Jeanerette, a native of South Carolina who had moved to the developing area in the 1820s. First he worked as a tutor for a planter's family, as did numerous educated young adults from northern states in the antebellum period. He opened a store and saloon. Having saved some money, Jeanerette purchased Pine Grove Plantation circa 1830, which was formerly known as Beau Pré (meaning lovely meadow/pasture).

Jeanerette offered a portion of his house to be used as a mail depository for local residents. Later Jeanerette was appointed as the town's first postmaster (he dropped his middle initial in official records.) The name Jeanerette was later adopted for the post office and town.

In 1871, Lazard Wormser, an early Jewish settler to the area emigrating from Alsace, France. He opened a small general store in downtown Jeanerette. He was soon joined by other members of the Wormser family, who later established branches of Wormser's Department Store in downtown New Iberia and Franklin.

During the 19th century, to the north along the Bayou Teche a settlement was developed by free Créoles of color; it is now known as Grand Marais. These free people of color were descended from African and European ancestors. They had largely adopted French culture, Catholicism and language, and were often still French speakers into the 20th century.

Incorporation
Jeanerette was incorporated as a town in 1878 and Joseph E. Provost became the first mayor; its economy was based on the cypress lumber and sugar industries. Its nickname has been "Sugar City". Although its major growth was after the Civil War, it has some surviving antebellum houses in the city and region.

Sugarcane continues as a key factor in the economy. There were until the 21st century three active sugar mills. The one located in the city was closed, dismantled, and its equipment sold in the first decade of the 21st century. Jeanerette is the home of manufacturers of equipment for the cultivation, harvesting and processing of sugarcane. Today, additional sources of income include oil and natural gas, salt, carbon black, a garment distribution center, and fishing.

Jeanerette was the home of dentist and politician Paul N. Cyr, Huey P. Long's lieutenant governor and political opponent. Cyr had a dental office there.

Geography
The city of Jeanerette is located at 29.91639°N, -91.6725°W (29.916438, −91.672483). The southeastern border of the city is at the Iberia/St. Mary parish line.

Louisiana Highways 182 and 87, which both parallel the Bayou Teche, pass through the city with U.S. Highway 90 running parallel outside the city limits all heading northwest to the cities of New Iberia, the Iberia Parish seat, 12 mi, Lafayette, the Lafayette Parish seat, 35 mi, and southeast to the St. Mary Parish cities of Franklin, the parish seat, 14 mi, and Morgan City, 36 mi.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.2 sqmi, all land.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Jeanerette has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,813 people, 1,956 households, and 1,324 families residing in the city. At the 2019 American Community Survey, the racial and ethnic makeup of Jeanerette was 21.1% non-Hispanic white, 77.2% Black or African American, and 1.7% Hispanic or Latin American of any race. Of the population, 1.7% were foreign-born residents from 2015 to 2019. The city had an owner-occupied housing rate of 67.8% and the median gross rent was $725. There were 1,956 households at the 2019 estimates and an average of 2.75 persons per household. The median household income was $34,643 and the per capita income was $17,196. At least 25.4% of the population lived at or below the poverty line.

At the 2000 U.S. census, there were 5,997 people, 2,057 households, and 1,513 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,712.0 PD/sqmi. There were 2,272 housing units at an average density of 1,027.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 38.34% White, 59.70% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.58% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.43% of the population.

There were 2,057 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples living together, 26.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.46. In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.6% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.9 males. The median income for a household in the city was $22,888, and the median income for a family was $26,810. Males had a median income of $36,170 versus $15,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,871. About 31.2% of families and 34.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 46.7% of those under age 18 and 23.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Iberia Parish School System serves Jeanerette. Area secondary schools include:
 * Jeanerette High School (9–12) (in a nearby unincorporated area)
 * Jeanerette Middle School (7–8) (Jeanerette)

Jeanerette Elementary School is public and K–6. In addition St. Charles Elementary School, K-6, is also in Jeanerette.

The school system previously operated Canal Elementary School (K-2) in Jeanerette.

St. Joseph School, a private Catholic school (of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana), served grades K–8 until May, 2011.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs sponsors the Chitimacha Day School southwest of Jeanerette in the Charenton community of unincorporated St. Mary Parish.

Notable people

 * Hiram Eugene (born November 24, 1980) is a former American football safety in the National Football League (NFL).
 * Alexander Allain-1920 – 1994. Lawyer and library advocate known for his work securing the freedom of expression.
 * Bret Allain—current District 21 state senator; St. Mary Parish sugar cane farmer
 * Stuart Bishop—born in Jeanerette, he became a State representative for Lafayette Parish.
 * Simone B. Champagne— former state representative for Iberia and Vermilion parishes; financial officer of the City of Youngsville, Louisiana
 * Paul N. Cyr, Jeanerette dentist who served as lieutenant governor from 1928 to 1932 under Huey Long
 * Troy Hebert—former Commissioner of the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control; former member of both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature

title: Jeanerette, Louisiana


text:
Loreauville, Louisiana

Loreauville is a village in Iberia Parish in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The population was 887 at the 2010 census, down from 938 at the 2000 census. It is part of the New Iberia micropolitan statistical area, and the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area.

History
Loreauville was initially called "Fausse Pointe", then "Dugasville" after the Dugas family, who opened a trading post at the site. The name was changed to "Picouville" when a Picou family member donated land to build a chapel.

On April 15, 1871, the name was changed from Picouville to Loreauville for Ozaire Loreau, who had contributed the property for the old Catholic church and cemetery, and had also aided in the agricultural, industrial and political growth of the village.

Geography
Loreauville is located in northern Iberia Parish at 30.05944°N, -91.73694°W (30.059388, -91.736830), on the east side of Bayou Teche. It is 8 mi northeast of New Iberia, the parish seat of Iberia Parish and 9 mi southeast of St. Martinville, the parish seat of St. Martin Parish.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.45 sqmi, of which 0.01 sqmi, or 1.45% are water.

Hurricanes
The following hurricanes have impacted the village of Loreauville:

 * 1974 - Hurricane Carmen
 * 1992 - The eye of Hurricane Andrew passed directly over Loreauville. The passage of the hurricane caused severe damage to the local infrastructure, and residents were without electric service for over four weeks.
 * 2002 - Hurricane Lili
 * 2005 - Hurricane Rita
 * 2008 - Hurricane Gustav
 * 2019 - Hurricane Barry although a weaker hurricane, caused severe damage to electrical power lines and live oak trees
 * 2020 - Hurricane Laura

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 887 people, 341 households, and 231 families living in the village. There were 394 housing units, of which 53, or 13.5%, were vacant. The racial makeup of the village was 76.9% white, 21.9% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% some other race, and 0.6% from two or more races. 1.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 341 households in the village, 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were headed by married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60, and the average family size was 3.19. 27.1% of residents in the village were under the age of 18, 9.3% were from age 18 to 24, 26.5% were from 25 to 44, 21.1% were from 45 to 64, and 16.0% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.

Additional information is available through the American Community Survey, most recently released for 2012 through 2016. During this period, 63% of all housing units were single-unit structures, 23% were mobile homes, and 14% were multi-unit structures. 13% of the housing units had been built since 1990.

The estimated median annual income for a household in the village during 2012-2016 was $42,625, and for a family was $47,500. Male full-time workers had a median income of $61,094 versus $28,500 for females. The per capita income for the village was $20,733. 27.0% of the population and 18.7% of families were below the poverty line, along with 39.4% of people under the age of 18 and 9.5% of people age 65 and over.

Culture
Sugarcane farming remains is an important activity in the immediate area surrounding the village. Sugarcane harvest time occurs from September to December annually. Many farmers deliver their harvest to local sugar cooperatives with tractor-drawn cane carts. The Louisiana Sugarcane Festival occurs annually in September in the nearby town of New Iberia.

Many of the villages current and former inhabitants are of Cajun heritage, and French is spoken by many families as a second language.

Boat building, in many shapes and forms, is an important cultural activity that has impacted the village of Loreauville. From large shipyards such as Breaux's Bay Craft, Neuville Boat Works, and Breaux Brothers that build aluminum oceangoing work vessels to the traditional wood Cajun pirogue hand-crafted by local residents, boat building and the use of the local waterways such as Bayou Teche and Lake Dauterive have been an important activity for residents since the establishment of the village.

Loreauville has several parades each year, including Mardi Gras, Homecoming Parade, and Christmas Parade.

For many years, one of the first museums ("The Heritage Village") in southern Louisiana dedicated to the history of the Acadians and the Cajun culture was on Main Street near the present day Loreauville High School. The "Heritage Village" was privately owned and funded by a local resident well versed in the history and culture of the Acadians. The museum site was located behind a private home west of School Drive and north of the existing Loreauville High School Gymnasium. The museum area was an outdoor facility in a large horseshoe shape, with the apex of the horseshoe near Bayou Teche. The museum was in operation from approximately 1970 until the early 1980s. Several period buildings were donated to the museum from local residents and moved to the site, including the original one-room schoolhouse that was used in Loreauville between 1900 and 1925. Other displays in the museum celebrated local Cajun culture with displays of period clothing, housewares, and early historic relics from the 19th century. A small collection of the artifacts from the Loreauville museum were donated to the Acadian Village in Lafayette upon the closure of the Loreauville Museum. In the late 70s, the original Pulpit from the Catholic Church was found in the collection and was donated back to the Church and renovated and reinstalled in the Church by Father Ronald Groschen.

Points of interest
Bayou Teche winds its way through Loreauville along the western edge of the Village. Several 19th century wood-fired sugar mills were located along Bayou Teche within the village limits. The growing of sugar cane was an important crop in the early days of the settlement. One processing site was located approximately 0.5 mi north of the Loreauville Bridge on Bridge Street, on the east bank of the bayou. As late as 1970 several brick foundations and remains of the original fire pits and kettles were visible on the banks of the bayou. Alterations to the landscape in that area have rendered this and most other sites invisible to the naked eye, but archeological evidence (fired bricks, and other detritus) remains just beneath the surface. With the centralization of sugarcane processing via agricultural cooperatives, local processing became more centralized at the Vida Shaw sugar mill, which operated from the late 1930s until the early 1970s on Bayou Teche at Vida Shaw Road.

Lake Dauterive or Lake Fausse Pointe is located to the east of Loreauville and is a popular spot for hunting, fishing, and recreational water sports. The boat landing at the end of Louisiana Highway 3242 (Lake Dauterive Road) was one of several filming locations for the 1977 film Return to Boggy Creek. Lake Fausse Pointe State Park is east of the boat landing and is accessible via Parish Road 169/Bayou Benoit Levee Road via travel through St. Martin Parish.

The Loreauville branch of the Iberia Parish Public Library, located on Main Street at the intersection of Breaux Street, was constructed in the late 1960s.

Loreauville High School, one of five public high schools in Iberia Parish, serves local students from 7th through 12th grade. This masonry and wood facility was constructed in the early 1940s. The main building has been renovated, expanded, and modernized over the years to accommodate a growing student population. The main building in the 1940s housed all of Loreauville's student population, and as the village grew in population, additional facilities were added. The original central building may be the oldest school facility in continuous use in Iberia Parish.

Historic businesses, buildings and structures
Main Street in Loreauville has evolved over the years since the establishment of the village. The descriptions of notable businesses and structures that follow begin at the north end of the village, on North Main Street, and terminate at the south end, on South Main Street:

 * (Nick) Borel's Grocery, situated on Main and Braquet Street at the north end of the village. Borel's grocery was in operation from the late 1940s until the mid-1970s when it was sold. Several businesses have subsequently occupied the building.Homer's Texaco Service Station, Loreauville, LA, Circa 1981.jpg
 * Homer's Texaco Service Station, located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Louisiana Highway 86 and Lake Dauterive Road (Louisiana Highway 3242). The family-owned business was in continuous operation from 1946 until the late 1990s. The existing large metal frame of the building was constructed by Roy Breaux Sr. and the welders of Breaux's Bay Craft in 1961.
 * W.W. Vaughn General Merchandise (General Store), located at the southeast corner of the intersection of Louisiana Highway 86 and Lake Dauterive Road (Louisiana Highway 3242). The family-owned business was located in a 19th-century brick and wood-frame structure that operated from the early 1900s until the early 1970s. The store originally opened as the "Edgar J. Vaughn General Merchandise" store prior to World War I. As was common in those days, the Edgar Vaughn store issued its own tin coinage as local currency in various denominations (mainly 1-, 5-, and 10-cent denominations) when dealing in barter transactions as a way to equalize transactions. Few of the coins exist today, but a few were donated to the Acadian Village museum by family members. The building was eradicated in the early 21st century, replaced by a Family Dollar retail store.
 * The OJ Oubre Lumber Company, named for Oscar J. Oubre, operated from the present location of the Judice Building Supplies (JBS) store. The Loreauville branch of the OJ Oubre lumber company was a separate store owned and operated by the OJ Oubre lumber company of New Iberia.
 * "Tiger Inn" a small fast food restaurant named after the local High School Football team mascot (The Loreauville Tigers). Tiger Inn has been in continuous operation since the early 1970's and serves as a local landmark on Main Street. The restaurant serves traditional fast food fare with menu offerings that reflect the local Cajun culture.
 * The State National Bank Building, located at the intersection of Main Street and Ed Broussard Road, is a masonry facility that was constructed in the early 1960s and served as the only financial institution in Loreauville for many years. Ownership and identity of the facility has changed many times over the years, but many residents still refer to the facility as the "State National Bank Building". A large clock was a prominent feature of the original bank and served the local residents and teenagers in the 1960s and '70s.
 * Aunt Tee's Restaurant, located on the west side of Main Street at Ed Broussard Road, was a family business that operated from the late 1950s until the early 1970s serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The "Plate Lunch" (from the French "Plat du Jour") was a popular menu item for many of the hard workers of the area.
 * Gonsoulin Insurance Agency, located on Main Street between Ed Broussard Road and Gonsoulin Street. This 1970s-style building was the home of the family-owned Gonsoulin Insurance Agency which operated from the late 1960s until the mid-1980s.
 * The Western Auto Store, located on Main Street directly across from the original U.S. post office. This building operated as a Western Auto Parts affiliate from the late 1960s until the early 1980s. A Dollar General now occupies the building.
 * Harold's Barber Shop, located on Main Street across from the old U.S. post office. Harold Melancon operated a small barbershop at this location from the late 1960s until the late 1970s.
 * U.S. Postal Mail facility (pictured). Located on Main Street, this small building served as the official post office for ZIP code 70552 until the mid 1960's, when it was replaced by a larger brick facility at the same location. A modern larger facility constructed in the 1990's replaced the 1960's era building on the northern edge of the village. The mid 1960's brick post office structure remains and has been the site of several businesses in the intervening years.U.S. Post Office Circa 1955 Loreauville, LA, USA.jpg
 * Loreauville Substation of the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Department, located on Main Street adjacent to the Meat Market. This small wood-framed structure served as a police substation and radio dispatch terminal for a short period during the 1970s. A temporary holding facility was constructed but rarely used. The office was staffed by one part-time employee and served to take offense reports, answer routine inquiries, and coordinate local law enforcement presence in the village. The substation was closed in the mid-1970s.
 * Lloyd's Meat Market, located on Main Street between Railroad Avenue and Bourgeois Street in a wood and brick-framed structure. This butcher offered locally produced fresh seafood and meat from the 1960s until the early 1980s.
 * The Patio Restaurant building, located on Main Street, north of Bridge Street, is a masonry facility that was the original location of LeLeux's Pharmacy (circa 1980). The Patio Restaurant is a family-owned and -operated business that occupied this location for many years until the 21st century when it relocated nearer to New Iberia on Loreauville Road (Louisiana Highway 86) near the intersection of Sugar Oaks Road. The current business operating in this location is a family-owned restaurant, Teche Cafe.
 * The Brown Derby, located on Main Street just north of Railroad Avenue, served adult refreshment from the mid-1960s until the mid-1970s. Several businesses operating in the same service have occupied the site since the original Brown Derby.
 * Mestayer's Grocery Store, located on the northwest corner of Main and Bridge streets. The family-owned grocery store operated from the 1950s until the early 1980s. The building remains and has hosted a number of businesses in the intervening years.
 * Tan Vaughn's Barber Shop, an extremely small (less than 200 square feet) wooden structure that was located at the intersection of Main Street and Railroad Avenue (southeast corner). Tan's barbershop was in operation from the late 1940s until the early 1990s and contained a single barber chair, with two or three waiting chairs for customers. The structure was demolished in the 1990s and in its location is the Loreauville Town Hall.
 * From the 1940s until it was removed in the mid-1980s, Loreauville had a Tin Man -style water tower adjacent to the Loreauville Volunteer Fire Department Fire Station on Bridge Street. The tower was located between the fire station and the bridge and held approximately 50,000 U.S. gallons of water. Its architectural style was reminiscent of the Tin Man in the movie The Wizard of Oz. Tin Man water towers continue to dot the increasingly urbanized landscape in America, but are rapidly disappearing as more modern and larger capacity water towers are constructed as their replacement. With the construction of the new water tower at the north end of the village in the early 1980s, the original Tin Man water tower was declared obsolete and torn down.
 * Loreauville Movie Theater. This wood-framed structure was located on Main Street south of Bridge Street adjacent to Ed Broussard Marine Services. The structure is fondly remembered by many residents as providing entertainment during the late 1920s until after World War II. The movie theater transitioned from silent films through modern films with local residents providing the musical accompaniment during the silent film era. The structure was demolished and removed in the 1970s.
 * Masso's Masso's Cafe in Loreauville, Louisiana, USA. Circa 1975 (Date approximate).png Cafe, located in a small wooden structure between the Ed Broussard Marine Service Company and Bridge Street. Masso's was a small family-owned cafe operated by a local family. The cafe seated between 10 and 20 customers, with a small lunch counter that accommodated four to five customers. Masso's Cafe was in operation from the mid-1950s until the late 1970s. The structure was demolished and removed during the late 1980s.
 * Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, located at the intersection of Daigre Street and Victory Drive. The present church building was erected in the 1970s to replace the original wooden church (later destroyed by fire in 1992) erected to serve the African-American community during the days of segregation.
 * St. Joseph's Catholic Church Hall, St. Joseph's Catholic Church Hall, Loreauville, Louisiana, USA.jpg located on Main Street immediately adjacent to St. Joseph's Catholic Church, has been used by area residents for weddings, wakes, celebrations, and meetings since its construction in the early 1960s. From the 1960s until the late 1980s, small school rooms in the rear of this facility were used to teach catechism to local residents. Near the entrance to the hall is a bronze plaque commemorating the services and life of Father Thomas Connors, [[File:Reverend Thomas Connors, memorial plaque, St. Joseph's Catholic Church Hall, Loreauville, Louisiana, USA.jpg|thumb|Reverend Thomas Connors memorial plaque, St. Joseph's Catholic Church Hall]] a bilingual French/English priest from the Our Lady of La Salette Order (Missionaries of La Salette), who was assigned to St. Joseph's parish in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Father Connors perished in a rectory fire in central Louisiana, and the parish hall was posthumously dedicated to him. A separate memorial to the vision of Our Lady of La Salette [[File:Our Lady of La Salette Memorial, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Loreauville, Louisiana, USA.jpg|thumb|Our Lady of La Salette Memorial, St. Joseph's Catholic Church]] is in bronze in the front courtyard of St. Joseph's church. The St. Joseph's Church Hall remains in active use and serves as a frequent gathering place for many local residents.
 * St. Joseph's Catholic Church, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Loreauville, Louisiana, USA.JPG located on Main Street in the center of the village. The current building was constructed in the early 1960s and modernized over the years as its congregation grew and improvements were required. Memorial bronze plaques recognizing Loreauville residents who were killed in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War adorn the four-sided concrete base of the flagpole immediately in front of the church.
 * Gondron's Garage was a family-owned service station offering fuel services and comprehensive auto repair. The facility is located at the intersection of Main and Daigre streets.
 * Loreauville Hospital, part of the rural network of hospitals in Louisiana, is located at the southern end of the village along the east side of Main Street (Louisiana Highway 86). The hospital opened in the early 1960s and operated until its closure in the 1980s. The site has had intermittent use as a health clinic in the intervening years. The original Loreauville clinic was located in a wood-framed structure in what is now the St. Joseph's Catholic Church parking lot. This facility operated in the post World War II period until its closure in 1963.

Education
Residents are zoned to the Iberia Parish School System, at Loreauville Elementary School and Loreauville High School.

Notable people

 * Joseph "Beausoleil" Broussard, leader of the Acadian resistance during the Grand Dérangement. One of the first Cajuns to settle in south Louisiana along with his brother Alexandre, in 1765. They settled in Fausse Pointe, present-day Loreauville.
 * Clifton Chenier, zydeco musician born in Opelousas; buried in All Souls Cemetery in Loreauville

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title: Loreauville, Louisiana


text:
Lydia, Louisiana

Lydia is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 952 at the 2010 census, down from 1,079 at the 2000 census. It is part of the New Iberia Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Lydia is located at 29.91861°N, -91.78111°W (29.918553, -91.780996), about 8 mi southeast of New Iberia, the parish seat. U.S. Route 90, a four-lane freeway, forms the northern edge of the community and leads northwest 26 mi to Lafayette and southeast 41 mi to Morgan City.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Lydia CDP has a total area of 1.7 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,079 people, 385 households, and 302 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 630.8 PD/sqmi. There were 411 housing units at an average density of 240.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 86.38% White, 11.21% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.56% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.65% of the population.

There were 385 households, out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.6% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.3% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $41,146, and the median income for a family was $42,500. Males had a median income of $36,176 versus $19,211 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $16,395. About 3.9% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 18.8% of those age 65 or over.

title: Lydia, Louisiana


text:
New Iberia, Louisiana

New Iberia (La Nouvelle-Ibérie; Nueva Iberia) is the largest city in and parish seat of Iberia Parish in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The city of New Iberia is located approximately 21 mi southeast of Lafayette, and forms part of the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area in the region of Acadiana. The 2020 United States census tabulated a population of 28,555. New Iberia is served by Amtrak’s Sunset Limited, operating between Los Angeles and New Orleans. New Iberia has a major four lane highway, being U.S. 90 (future Interstate 49), and has its own general aviation airfield, Acadiana Regional Airport. Scheduled passenger and cargo airline service is available via the nearby Lafayette Regional Airport located adjacent to U.S. 90 in Lafayette.

History
New Iberia dates its founding to the spring of 1779, when a group of some 500 colonists (Malagueños) from Spain, led by Lt. Col. Francisco Bouligny, came up Bayou Teche and settled around what became known as Spanish Lake.

The Spanish settlers called the town "Nueva Iberia" in honor of the Iberian Peninsula; French-speakers referred to the town as "Nouvelle Ibérie" while the English settlers arriving after the Louisiana Purchase called it "New Town." In 1814, the U.S. government opened a post office in the town, officially recognizing the name as New Iberia, but postmarks from 1802 show the town being called “Nova Iberia” (Latin for "new"). The town was incorporated in 1839 as the "Town of Iberia", but the state legislature amended the town's charter in 1847, recognizing New Iberia as the town's name.

In 1868, Iberia Parish was established, and New Iberia became the seat of parish government. At first, only rented space served for the courthouse. By 1884 a new courthouse was completed on a landscaped lot in downtown New Iberia, at the present-day site of Bouligny Plaza. In 1889, the Wakefield family, an African-American family from New Iberia fled to New Orleans after their son was lynched by a white mob; and days after the lynching, the family patriarch and former state senator Samuel Wakefield committed suicide on Howard Street. That courthouse served Iberia Parish until 1940. That year the current courthouse was built along Iberia Street, two blocks from the New Iberia downtown commercial district.

In September 2008, New Iberia was struck by Hurricane Ike. The lakes overflowed and filled the city, flooding it under several feet of dirty, brown water. On December 14, 2022, the southeastern part of the city was heavily damaged by a high-end EF2 tornado, injuring 16 people.

Geography
New Iberia is located in southern Louisiana, in the Acadiana region. The city of New Iberia is a part of the Lafayette metropolitan area. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.6 square miles (27.4 km2), all land. In 2000, the population density was 3,088.8 PD/sqmi. There were 12,880 housing units at an average density of 1,219.5 /sqmi. New Iberia lies approximately 16 to 20 feet above sea level.

Among the lakes near the city is Lake Peigneur, which was formerly a 10 ft deep freshwater lake until a 1980 disaster involving oil drilling and a salt mine. The lake is now a 1300 ft deep salt water lake, having been refilled by the Gulf of Mexico via the Delcambre Canal. There is also Lake Tasse, better known as Spanish Lake. This region has many natural features of interest, such as Avery Island, famous for its Tabasco sauce factory, deposits of rock salt, and Jungle Gardens.

Climate
New Iberia enjoys a sub-tropical climate with above average rainfall. As of 2021, annual average high temperature is 79.1 F and the annual low is 59.4 F.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 28,555 people, 11,030 households, and 7,338 families residing in the city. The 2019 American Community Survey estimated 29,456 people resided in the city limits. At the 2010 U.S. census, the population of New Iberia was 30,617. At the census of 2000, there were 32,623 people, 11,756 households, and 8,335 families residing in the city.

Of the population in 2019, New Iberians lived in 13,455 housing units; there were 11,030 households. New Iberia's population had a sex ratio of 96.2 males per 100 females. The city had a median age of 36.2 and 7,671 were under 18 years of age, 2,609 under 5 years, and 21,785 aged 18 and older. An estimated 4,268 households were married-couples living together, 784 cohabiting households, 2,273 male households with no female present, and 3,705 female households with no male present. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.24.

In 2000, there were 11,756 households, out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 20.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.24. In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.8% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.6 males.

The 2019 census estimates determined New Iberia a median income of $38,221 and mean income of $54,126. At the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the city was $26,079, and the median income for a family was $30,828. Males had a median income of $30,289 versus $16,980 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,084. About 24.9% of families and 29.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.8% of those under age 18 and 20.8% of those age 65 or over.

Race and ethnicity
New Iberia had a racial and ethnic makeup of 51.6% non-Hispanic whites, 40.7% Blacks or African Americans, 0.1% American Indians and Alaska Natives, 1.4% Asian, 2.1% some other race, and 2.1% multiracial Americans. Hispanics or Latino Americans of any race made up 3.8% of the total population in 2019. After the 2020 census, its racial and ethnic makeup was 44.47% non-Hispanic white, 44.04% Black or African American, 0.26% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.8% Asian, <0.0 Pacific Islander, 3.37% two or more races, and 5.06% Hispanic or Latino American of any race. At the 2000 census, the racial makeup of the city was 56.99% White, 38.42% African American, 0.21% Native American, 2.64% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races; 1.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino American of any race.

Religion
In common with most of Louisiana, the majority of New Iberians profess a religion. New Iberia is dominated by Christianity, and the single largest Christian denomination in the city is the Roman Catholic Church, owing in part to the Spanish and French heritage of its residents. Catholics in New Iberia and the surrounding area are served by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana. Of the religious population, 0.1% each practice Judaism or an eastern religion.

Economy
The city of New Iberia was the founding headquarters for Bruce Foods before their relocation to Lafayette; it was also the birthplace of Trappey's Hot Sauce. Currently, the economy is stimulated by small businesses, agriculture, New Iberia station, Louisiana Hot Sauce, and Acadiana Regional Airport.

Places of interest

 * Shadows-on-the-Teche historic former residence and plantation, now owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
 * The Bayou Teche Museum has exhibits on the history, culture, artists and industries of the Bayou Teche region. Location of artist George Rodrigue's last studio.
 * Avery Island, home of Tabasco sauce and claims to be the oldest salt mine in North America. In operation since 1862.
 * Jungle Gardens, botanical garden and bird sanctuary located in Avery Island.
 * Jefferson Island is a former salt mine, botanical garden, rookery, nursery, as well as the historic Victorian Joseph Jefferson House.
 * Conrad Rice Mill is on the National Register of Historic Places, oldest rice mill in operation since 1912, offering public tours.
 * The city used to hold a statue of the Roman emperor, Hadrian. It was located on the corner of Weeks and St. Peter Streets, until approx. 2008 when it was sold.

Festivals
New Iberia hosts the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival in September. The Sugar Cane Festival celebrates the commencement of the sugar cane harvest, locally referred to as grinding. Sugar cane is a principal crop grown by New Iberia farmers. The city also hosts El Festival Español de Nueva Iberia, which honors the area's Spanish heritage. Other notable festivals include the World Championship Gumbo Cook-Off, on the second full weekend in October; and the Books Along the Teche Literary Festival, in April, which celebrates James Lee Burke and South Louisiana literature.

Popular culture
New Iberia is home to fictional detective Dave Robicheaux; and home to his creator, author James Lee Burke.

The Air-Conditioned Nightmare (1945) travelogue book mentions Henry Miller's stay in New Iberia''.  In the Electric Mist'', a movie based on one of Burke's novels, was filmed in New Iberia in 2009 and starred Tommy Lee Jones.

Public schools
Iberia Parish School System serves the city and parish area.

High schools
• New Iberia Senior High School

• Westgate High School

Middle schools
• Anderson Middle School

• Belle Place Middle School

• Iberia Middle School

Elementary schools
• Belle Place Elementary

• Caneview Elementary

• Center Street Elementary

• Coteau Elementary

• Daspit Elementary

• Jefferson Island Road Elementary

• Johnston-Hopkins Elementary

• Magnolia Elementary

• North Lewis Elementary

• North Street Elementary

• Park Elementary

• Pesson Elementary

• Sugarland Elementary

Private schools
• Acadiana Christian School is a private non-denominational Protestant K-12 School in New Iberia.

• Catholic High School (of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana) is a private Catholic 4-12 school in New Iberia.

• Highland Baptist Christian School is a private Baptist K-12 school in New Iberia.

Colleges and universities
Iberia Parish is in the service area of Fletcher Technical Community College and of South Louisiana Community College.

Notable people
This is a list of notable people from New Iberia, Louisiana. It includes people who were born/raised in, lived in, or spent portions of their lives in New Iberia, or for whom New Iberia is a significant part of their identity. This list is in order by career and in alphabetical order by last name.

Actors
• Joseph Jefferson, artist and stage actor, portrayed the role of Rip Van Winkle and built the Jefferson Mansion as a hunting lodge on Jefferson Island in 1870.

• Yvonne Levy Kushner, French-Jewish American actress, socialite and philanthropist, born in New Iberia.

• Peter Renaday, voice actor

• Christian J. Simon, child actor and voice actor, born in New Iberia

Authors and journalists
• James Lee Burke, novelist, mystery writer.

• Glenn R. Conrad, author, professor, and historian of south Louisiana culture, a native of New Iberia.

• Pableaux Johnson, New Orleans-based writer, photographer, and cook

• Louis Lautier, the first African-American journalist admitted in 1955 to the White House Correspondents' Association, born in New Iberia.

Artists and designers
• Jamie Baldridge, artist, photographer, arts educator, writer. Born and raised in New Iberia.

• Rosa Lee Brooks, artist, blues singer, arts educator, performer. Born in New Iberia and raised in Los Angeles, California.

• William Eckart, set designer for film, stage and television, born in New Iberia.

• Alyce Frank, Southwestern landscapes painter born in New Iberia.

• William Weeks Hall, painter and photographer; between the 1920s and 1950s he restored his family's historic home, the Shadows-on-the-Teche plantation.

• George Rodrigue, artist and creator of the Blue Dog series of paintings

• Owen Southwell, architect, and native of New Iberia.

Business
• William Dore, businessman, political donor, founder of Global Industries, Ltd., born and raised in New Iberia.

• Paul Fleming, restaurateur and founder of P.F. Chang's Chinese Bistro, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse, Paul Martin's American Bistro and others, born in New Iberia.

• Bryan Lourd, Partner, managing director and co-chairperson of CAA

Politics and civil service
• Taylor Barras, state representative for District 48; Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, effective January 11, 2016

• Kathleen Blanco, former Governor of Louisiana from 2004 to 2008

• Edwin S. Broussard, U.S. senator from 1921 to 1933

• Robert F. Broussard, U.S. representative from 1897 to 1915 and U.S. senator from 1915 to 1918

• Patrick T. Caffery, attorney, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1964 to 1968 and U.S. Representative from 1969 to 1973

• W. Eugene Davis, U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge from 1983 until present

• John Duhe, U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge from 1988 to 2011

• Ted Haik, state representative from Iberia, St. Mary, and Vermilion parishes (1976–96); current New Iberia city attorney

• Billy Hewes, Mississippi politician

• Wilbert J. Le Melle, American diplomat, author and academician, United States Ambassador to the Republic of Kenya and United States Ambassador to the Republic of the Seychelles from 1977 to 1980, deputy representative for East and Central Africa of the Ford Foundation from 1970 to 1973. Born in New Iberia.

• Jeff Landry, attorney and Republican member of the United States House of Representatives (2011–2012) Attorney General-State of Louisiana 2016–present.

Music
• Bunk Johnson, Dixieland jazz musician and trumpet player, settled in New Iberia in the 1920s and died in New Iberia.

• Soko Richardson, rhythm and blues drummer, performed with Ike & Tina Turner Revue, born in New Iberia.

Sports
• Kermit Alexander, defensive back (San Francisco 49ers, 1963–1969)

• Alton Alexis, wide receiver (Cincinnati Bengals, 1980) (CFL Calgary Stampeders, 1981–1982)

• Jon Emminger, professional wrestler working for WWE as Lucky Cannon

• Howie Ferguson, NFL player (Green Bay Packers, 1953–1958)

• Damon Harrison, NFL player, former New York Jets player, currently with New York Giants

• Johnny Hector, running back (New York Jets, 1983–1992)

• Willie Hector, NFL player

• Kerry Joseph, CFL quarterback

• Jared Mitchell, outfielder for the Chicago White Sox

• Mark Roman, NFL defensive back, played 2000–2003 with Cincinnati Bengals, 2004–2005 with Green Bay Packers, and 2006–2009 with San Francisco 49ers

• Diontae Spencer, CFL wide receiver and return specialist, born in New Iberia.

• Tyrunn Walker, NFL defensive lineman, former New Orleans Saints player, currently a free agent

• Corey Raymond, cornerback for the NY Giants; LSU Defensive Backs Coach, Nebraska secondary coach

Science

 * Norman F. Carnahan, chemical engineer

title: New Iberia, Louisiana


text:
Grosse Tête, Louisiana

Grosse Tête is a village in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 647 at the 2010 census, and 731 at the 2019 American Community Survey. The village name is French for "Big Head". Grosse Tête is part of the Baton Rouge metropolitan statistical area.

Geography
Grosse Tête is located in northern Iberville Parish at 30.41472°N, -91.43528°W (30.414587, -91.435265). It is bordered to the north by the village of Rosedale. Bayou Grosse Tete flows through the eastern side of the village.

Interstate 10 passes through the northern side of the village, with access from Exit 139. I-10 leads east 16 mi to Baton Rouge and west 39 mi to Lafayette.

Louisiana Highway 77 heads 22 mi from Grosse Tete to the city of Plaquemine, the Iberville Parish seat.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 3.07 km2, of which 3.03 km2 are land and 0.04 km2, or 1.41%, are water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 548 people, 265 households, and 174 families residing in the village. At the 2019 census estimates program, 731 people lived in the village. The racial and ethnic makeup was 54.2% non-Hispanic white, 43.4% Black and African American, and 2.5% multiracial. The median household income was $45,750 and 21.6% of the population lived at or below the poverty line.

At the 2000 U.S. census, there were 670 people, 261 households, and 182 families residing in the village. The population density was 554.4 PD/sqmi. There were 294 housing units at an average density of 243.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 55.52% White, 42.84% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.30% from other races, and 0.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.45% of the population.

There were 261 households, out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 19.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.3% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 82.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $27,734, and the median income for a family was $32,188. Males had a median income of $25,417 versus $20,781 for females. The per capita income for the village was $12,840. About 16.7% of families and 23.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.5% of those under age 18 and 27.6% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people
Louisiana State Senator Robert M. Marionneaux resides on a cattle farm in Grosse Tete but practices law in Baton Rouge.

title: Grosse Tête, Louisiana


text:
Maringouin, Louisiana

Maringouin is a town in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,098 at the 2010 census, down from 1,262 at the 2000 census. At the 2020 population estimates program, its population was 966. It is part of the Baton Rouge metropolitan statistical area.

Etymology
The name, which is Louisiana Creole in origin and means "mosquito", is pronounced mah-ring-gwin.

Geography
Maringouin is located in northern Iberville Parish at 30.49083°N, -91.51889°W (30.490911, -91.519023). Its northern border is the Pointe Coupee Parish line, and its eastern border is Bayou Grosse Tete. Louisiana Highway 77 passes through the center of the town, leading north 5 mi to Livonia and southeast 6 mi along Bayou Grosse Tete to Rosedale. Louisiana Highway 76 leads south from Maringouin 7 mi along Bayou Maringuoin to Interstate 10 at Ramah.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Maringuoin has a total area of 1.9 km2, all of it recorded as land. The town is part of the French speaking Acadiana region of Louisiana.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 891 people, 393 households, and 248 families residing in the town.

At the 2000 United States census, there were 1,262 people, 421 households, and 327 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,691.3 PD/sqmi. There were 458 housing units at an average density of 613.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 20.13% White, 79.40% African American, 0.08% from other races, and 0.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.08% of the population.

There were 421 households, out of which 40.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 27.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.1% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.00 and the average family size was 3.43.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 33.1% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $23,816, and the median income for a family was $28,359. Males had a median income of $27,917 versus $19,500 for females. The per capita income for the town was $10,817. About 27.5% of families and 31.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.2% of those under age 18 and 22.1% of those age 65 or over.

Connection to historical slave sale
In 1838, the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus agreed to sell 272 slaves they owned to Southern buyers. Many descendants of these slaves presently live in and around Maringouin. One of the Maryland Jesuits' institutions, Georgetown University, formed a working group to study the sale and ultimately extended to the descendants of the Jesuits' slaves the "same consideration [they] give members of the Georgetown community in the admissions process".

Notable people

 * Rick Ward III, state senator from District 17 since 2012

title: Maringouin, Louisiana


text:
Plaquemine, Louisiana

Plaquemine is a city in and the parish seat of Iberville Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is part of the Baton Rouge metropolitan statistical area. At the 2010 United States census, the population was 7,119; the 2020 census determined its population was 6,269.

History
Early inhabitants of the area were the Chitimacha people. Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville claimed all of Louisiana in 1699 for King Louis XIV of France. Plaquemine was settled by 1775 and named for the Native word Plakemine, which means persimmon.

Due to its location at the juncture of the Bayou Plaquemine and the Mississippi River, the village soon began to prosper and grow, beginning a long history of prosperity. By 1838, the town was incorporated, electing Zénon Labauve, for whom a street in New Orleans' Garden District is named, as its first mayor.

Plaquemine continued to grow in the Antebellum era. Massive plantations were established in nearby regions, including St. Louis, Nottoway, and Belle Grove. The town has been the seat of Iberville Parish government since its incorporation. The second parish courthouse (c. 1906) on Railroad Avenue has been serving as City Hall since 1985. Plaquemine did not have a hospital until 1923.

Plaquemine has been a Louisiana-designated Main Street City since 1993. There are ten properties listed for Plaquemine on the National Register of Historic Places in Iberville Parish, Louisiana.

Geography
The city of Plaquemine is located at 30.28417°N, -91.24056°W (30.284044, −91.240485) and has an elevation of 23 ft above sea level. Plaquemine is located at the junction of Bayou Plaquemine and the Mississippi River. The city itself is surrounded by farmland; beyond the farmland to the west lies nearly uninhabited swampland.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.8 sqkm, of which 7.6 sqkm are land and 0.2 sqkm, or 2.75%, are water. It lies within the Baton Rouge metropolitan area.

2020
The 2020 census determined 6,269 people lived in the city. At the 2000 United States census, there were 7,064 people, 2,593 households, and 1,846 families residing in the city.

At the 2019 American Community Survey, the racial and ethnic makeup was 54.9% Black and African American, 38.6% non-Hispanic white, 0.1% two or more races, and 6.4% Hispanic and Latin American of any race. In 2000, the racial and ethnic makeup of the city was 49.26% White, 49.60% African American, 0.17% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.27% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic and Latin Americans of any race were 1.15% of the population.

In 2000, there were 2,593 households, out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% were married couples living together, 22.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.21. In 2019, there were 2,578 households and an average of 2.54 people per household.

From 2015 to 2019, the median household income was $44,457, and the per capita income was $24,871. Males had a median income of $61,418 versus $27,875 for females. Approximately 27.0% of the population lived at or below the poverty line. In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $28,364, and the median income for a family was $32,971. Males had a median income of $34,868 versus $21,016 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,066. About 23.6% of families and 24.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.8% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.

Annual cultural events
Plaquemine's annual International Acadian Festival draws visitors from all over the world. Local Mardi Gras celebrations also attract tourists.

Tourism
Plaquemine is noted for a number of antebellum structures that survive within the city limits and along Bayou Road. One of the most noteworthy homes is St. Basil's, a riverfront mansion built by socialite physician Dr. John Scratchley in the 1850s. Now a private residence, the home retains the name St. Basil's from when it was a fashionable convent school.

The Iberville Museum was built in 1949 as the Iberville Parish Courthouse. The building served as Plaquemine's first city hall, and was the city seat of government until 1985. It now serves as a parish museum, and the building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Plaquemine Lock, constructed from 1895 to 1909, was an important link between the Mississippi River and the Intracoastal Canal, of which Bayou Plaquemine served as its northern terminus. Its design served as the prototype for the Panama Canal locks; the Plaquemine Lock was shut down in 1961. In 1974, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers supervised the construction of the levee that runs across the mouth of Bayou Plaquemine at the Mississippi River. The Plaquemine Lock was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The area now operates as a state park.

Education
Iberville Parish School Board operates public schools.

Plaquemine High School is outside the city limits, in an unincorporated area. Mathematics, Science, and Arts Academy - West is outside the city limits, in an unincorporated area.

Transportation
Plaquemine is accessed by four highways: LA 3066, LA 75, LA 77, and the scenic LA 1. Other highways include LA 992 (Tenant Road) and LA 405. LA 3066 continues from Court Street to "Down the Bayou" neighborhoods. LA 75 accesses east over the Mississippi River via toll ferry to Saint Gabriel and leads southwest from Plaquemine, eventually reaching Bayou Pigeon. LA 77 starts around the Island Country Club and continues northwest to Maringouin. LA 1 runs north to Interstate 10/Baton Rouge and south to Donaldsonville. Plaquemine lacks public transportation and its residents rely completely on the use of the automobile.

National Guard
Plaquemine is the home of the 256th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, formerly known as the 1088th Engineer Battalion, a unit made up of combat engineer, military intelligence, signal, military police and other supporting units. The 256th BSTB is part of the 256th Infantry Brigade of the Louisiana Army National Guard that served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005.

Notable people

 * Chad M. Brown, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for Iberville and Assumption parishes, effective January 2016
 * Percy Butler, NFL defensive back for the Washington Commanders
 * Kevin Dotson, NFL offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers
 * Robert "Bobby" Freeman (1934–2016), lieutenant governor of Louisiana from 1980 to 1988; Plaquemine lawyer
 * Davon Godchaux, American football player
 * Lee Meitzen Grue, poet and educator
 * Bill Lee, former Major League Baseball pitcher, played for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, and Boston Braves
 * Brian Mitchell, former Washington Redskins football player, played football at Plaquemine High School
 * Karen St. Germain, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for Iberville and Assumption parishes, 2004–2016; resides in Plaquemine
 * Clarence Williams, early jazz pianist and composer

title: Plaquemine, Louisiana


text:
Rosedale, Louisiana

Rosedale is a village in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 664 in 2020. It is part of the Baton Rouge metropolitan statistical area.

Geography
Rosedale is located in northern Iberville Parish at 30.44°N, -91.46167°W (30.439929, -91.461588). It is bordered to the south by the village of Grosse Tete, and Bayou Grosse Tete flows through the center of Rosedale.

Louisiana Highways 76 and 77 intersect at the center of Rosedale. LA 76 leads east 16 mi to Port Allen across the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge, and west 3.5 mi to a point near Ramah and Interstate 10. LA 77, following Bayou Grosse Tete, leads northwest 6 mi to Maringouin and southeast 2 mi to Interstate 10 at Grosse Tête.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Rosedale has a total area of 20.1 sqkm, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 664 people, 338 households, and 221 families residing in the village.

Education
Residents are served by the Iberville Parish School Board. Residents are zoned to North Iberville Elementary School and Plaquemine High School. North Iberville Elementary and High School previously served the community, but North Iberville High School closed in 2009 despite a parental movement to keep the school open. Parents criticized the rezoning to Plaquemine High because of the long distances involved.

In 2022, the Iberville Parish School board voted to reopen North Iberville High School. The high school will be integrated with the Iberville STEM Academy. Students returned to North Iberville High School in the fall of 2022.

title: Rosedale, Louisiana


text:
St. Gabriel, Louisiana

St. Gabriel is a city in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, United States. The city of St. Gabriel includes the Carville neighborhood and portions of Sunchine. Part of the Baton Rouge metropolitan statistical area, it had a population of 6,677 at the 2010 U.S. census, and 6,433 at the 2020 census.

St. Gabriel was incorporated as a town in 1994 and received city designation in 2001. It is located on the east bank of the Mississippi River, approximately 12 miles south of Baton Rouge. Bayou Manchac serves as the official boundary between St. Gabriel, Ascension Parish, and East Baton Rouge Parish. Over the years, the area has been transformed from a primarily agricultural economy to one that is now dominated by the petrochemical industry.

History
This area is in a part of Acadiana, which was founded by the Acadians, after their expulsion from Nova Scotia in the mid-18th century.

At the end of 1769 Luis de Unzaga, then governor of New Orleans and from 1770 also of Louisiana, authorized Father Dragobert to create a parish for the Acadians on land near the Mississippi and located between Baton Rouge, Iberville and the town of Gonzales. Between 1771 and 1773, Governor Luis de Unzaga granted the land and the necessary permits for its construction; the construction could be carried out between 1774 and 1776, still within the period of the government of Luis de Unzaga.

In 2008 during Hurricane Gustav, St. Gabriel Catholic Church's steeple was destroyed. It is one of Louisiana's oldest churches, and tradition sets the date of the formation of the parish in 1769.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 29.0 square miles (75.0 km$2$), of which 28.7 square miles (74.4 km$2$) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.6 km$2$) (0.76%) is water. St. Gabriel sits along the east bank of the Mississippi River, between the boundaries of Ascension Parish and East Baton Rouge Parish. The city is about 12 mi east of Baton Rouge and about 70 mi from New Orleans. The communities of Carville and part of Sunshine are within the city limits.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 6,433 people, 1,635 households, and 962 families residing in the city. The population was 48.1% non-Hispanic Black, 38.3% non-Hispanic white, 0.5% non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native, 1.0% non-Hispanic Asian, 0.4% non-Hispanic some other race, 1.8% non-Hispanic multiracial, and 10.4% Hispanic of any race. The sharp decline of the Black population in the 2020 Census is the result of the closure and the evacuation of the population of the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women which sustained flooding damage in 2016.

At the 2000 United States census, there were 5,514 people, 898 households, and 639 families residing in the town. There were 898 households, out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.0% were married couples living together, 26.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.36. In 2019, there were 1,635 households with an average of 2.53 people per household. St. Gabriel had a median age of 37.7, and 88.2% of the population were aged 18 and older.

In 2019, the median household income was $48,259, up from $25,352 at the 2000 census. The per capita income was $17,153, up from $8,952 in 2000. Males had a median income of $41,125 versus $34,313 for females, and 20.0% of the population lived at or below the poverty line.

Government and infrastructure

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections operates two prisons, Elayn Hunt Correctional Center and Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW), in St. Gabriel. LCIW houses the female death row.

Primary and secondary schools
Iberville Parish School Board operates the East Iberville School, a K–12 school, in St. Gabriel. For a long time it was the only school in St. Gabriel. The Mathematics, Science, and Arts Academy - East opened in St. Gabriel in the fall of 2008.

Some residents send their children to private schools in Greater Baton Rouge and in the Gonzales, Louisiana area.

In 2013 some officials from the City of St. Gabriel announced that they wished to secede from Iberville Parish schools, arguing that their schools were given less attention than warranted.

Public Library
Iberville Parish Library operates the East Iberville Branch Library in St. Gabriel.

Notable people
Several notable people came from what is now St. Gabriel:
 * James Carville, political consultant
 * James Gallier, architect

title: St. Gabriel, Louisiana


text:
White Castle, Louisiana

White Castle is a town in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, United States. At the 2010 U.S. census the town population was 1,883, and 1,640 at the 2020 population estimates program. It is part of the Baton Rouge metropolitan area.

History
The town of White Castle was carved out of the George Wailes plantation "White Castle". The 1883 Charles H. Dickinson Survey of several parishes of Louisiana shows the White Castle Plantation property. Nearby is the antebellum mansion Nottoway Plantation.

White Castle was established as a town in the 1880s with the influx of people and business brought by the logging industry in the cypress swamps of the area. When the cypress wood was depleted, the main economic activity reverted to the sugar cane industry which had been established in the latter part of the 18th century.

Individual plantation sugar mills gave way to larger mills servicing many plantations. By 1970, White Castle had three major sugar mills, Cora Texas, Cedar Grove, and Catherine/Supples. Only one, Cora Texas located just south of White Castle on LA 1, is still in operation. Antebellum plantation homes in the area are Nottoway, Tally-ho, among others.

People living in the unincorporated areas of Samstown, Lone Star, Belle Grove, Dorseyville, and as far away as Bayou Goula helped support White Castle businesses through the years. At one time, there were three car dealerships, Dufour Chevrolet, White Castle Motor company (Ford), and Dixie Sales and Service(Chrysler/Plymouth); three drug stores, Hebert's, Viallon's, and Bajon's; Weils and Shaheens clothing stores; Agosta Shoe Store; Eskine's Jewelry; and two lumber yards, Baudoin's and Tassin's. Engolio's Maggio's, Chiaramonte, Dominic Sciortino, Tina's, Forte's, and Landry's were used for grocery shopping. Big-screen entertainment was provided by Castle Theater until 1959, when it was closed.

During the 1950s, the chemical industry entered the area, congregating around the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. This industry brought economic growth which took White Castle into the 1980s. Companies establishing chemical plants in the area near White Castle were Dow Chemical north of Plaquemine, Georgia-Gulf and Hercules north of White Castle, and Ciba-Geigy on the east bank of the Mississippi.

Population levels have remained between 1,900 and 2,200 for the last forty years, within the White Castle town limits. The surrounding unincorporated areas have seen an increase in population.

Geography
White Castle is located in southeastern Iberville Parish at 30.16861°N, -91.14667°W (30.168503, −91.146708), on the south bank of the Mississippi River. Louisiana Highway 1 passes through the town, leading northwest 10 mi to Plaquemine, the Iberville Parish seat and southeast the same distance to Donaldsonville, the seat of Ascension Parish.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of White Castle has a total area of 1.9 sqkm, of which 7876 sqm, or 0.41%, are water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,722 people, 672 households, and 421 families residing in the town. The racial and ethnic makeup of the town was 83.4% Black and African American, 14.2% non-Hispanic white, and 2.3% two or more races at the 2019 American Community Survey. The median household income was $30,729 and 27.3% of the population lived at or below the poverty line.

At the 2000 United States census, there were 1,946 people, 699 households, and 513 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,592.0 PD/sqmi. There were 762 housing units at an average density of 1,014.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 76.82% African American, 22.56% White, 0.21% Asian, 0.10% from other races, and 0.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.44% of the population.

There were 699 households, out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.6% were married couples living together, 30.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% were non-families. 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.34.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 31.7% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $19,435, and the median income for a family was $24,236. Males had a median income of $25,170 versus $15,885 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,246. About 25.4% of families and 31.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.0% of those under age 18 and 18.8% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
White Castle has no White Castle restaurants. White Castle is home to Cora Texas Sugar Mill, one of the largest in the United States. The Nottoway Plantation and Resort just outside of town is another part of the local economy.

Notable people

 * Kate Walker Behan (1851-1918), club leader and philanthropist
 * Ronald Martin, American football safety

title: White Castle, Louisiana


text:
Chatham, Louisiana

Chatham is a town in Jackson Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 491 in 2020. It is part of the Ruston micropolitan statistical area.

Southwest of Chatham is Caney Lake and the Jimmie Davis State Park.

Geography
Chatham is located at 32.30917°N, -92.45139°W (32.309036, -92.451359).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.1 sqmi, of which 1.0 sqmi is land and 0.2 sqmi (13.91%) is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 491 people, 316 households, and 157 families residing in the town.

title: Chatham, Louisiana


text:
East Hodge, Louisiana

East Hodge is a village in Jackson Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 289 at the 2010 census, down from 366 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Ruston Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
East Hodge is located in southwestern Jackson Parish at 32.27694°N, -92.715°W (32.277046, -92.714955). It is bordered to the west by Hodge and to the northwest by North Hodge. U.S. Route 167, running through Hodge and North Hodge, leads north 5 mi to Quitman and south 3 mi to Jonesboro.

According to the United States Census Bureau, East Hodge has a total area of 0.6 km2, of which 734 sqm, or 0.12%, are water. The village sits on high ground between the Dugdemona River to the northwest and the Little Dugdemona River to the south.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 366 people, 135 households, and 100 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,529.2 PD/sqmi. There were 157 housing units at an average density of 656.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 4.64% White, 95.08% African American, and 0.27% Native American.

There were 135 households, out of which 39.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.6% were married couples living together, 43.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 37.4% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 71.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 63.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $11,786, and the median income for a family was $14,432. Males had a median income of $25,250 versus $12,159 for females. The per capita income for the village was $7,616. About 46.6% of families and 51.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 66.4% of those under age 18 and 37.0% of those age 65 or over.

title: East Hodge, Louisiana


text:
Eros, Louisiana

Eros is a town in Jackson Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 130 at the 2020 Census It is part of the Ruston Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The Tremont Lumber company founded Eros, in the early 20th century. Mrs. Mary Collins, née Nash (wife of Samuel Collins) suggested that the sawmill boomtown be named after the 433 Eros Asteroid (discovered in 1898). Eros served as a center point for a number of small surrounding communities, such as Hog Hair, Jumping Vernon, Indian Village, Salem Guyton, Flat Creek, Head Settlement, Vernon, Fuller Town, and Bug Tussle. Most children in these communities were sent to study at the Eros school, and citizens would normally receive their mail through rural mail coming from Eros. Box suppers would be held for various causes, making Eros a social center.

Naturally by 1920, the town became the largest in the Jackson Parish, with "a thousand residents, having a post office, three hotels, a newspaper, a company commissary, three doctors, a drug store, three churches, a jail, a bank, its own telephone exchange and Jackson Parish's first high school with six hundred pupils" (Busbice, 6). A cyclone though devastated the town in 1920, destroying the sawmill. The sawmill was rebuilt, but yet again in 1926 a fire burned it to the ground. After that, the mill company felt that most of the timber had been harvested anyway, and moved their center of operation to Olla, Louisiana. Only a few hundred citizens stayed to maintain the town.

Geography
Eros is located at 32.3925°N, -92.42278°W (32.392502, -92.422737).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.0 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 202 people, 77 households, and 60 families residing in the town. The population density was 202.8 PD/sqmi. There were 87 housing units at an average density of 87.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 99.50% White and 0.50% Native American.

There were 77 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.0% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.8% were non-families. 16.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $20,313, and the median income for a family was $23,750. Males had a median income of $27,969 versus $16,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $10,789. About 21.3% of families and 24.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.9% of those under the age of eighteen and 19.0% of those 65 or over.

Notable people

 * The late State Representative Jesse C. Deen of Bossier Parish, was born in Eros in 1922 and reared in nearby Grant Parish.

title: Eros, Louisiana


text:
Hodge, Louisiana

Hodge is a village in Jackson Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 470 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Ruston Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Hodge is located in southwestern Jackson Parish at 32.27194°N, -92.72667°W (32.272082, -92.726557). It is bordered to the northeast by North Hodge and to the east by East Hodge. According to the United States Census Bureau, Hodge has a total area of 3.5 km2, of which 2.5 km2 are land and 1.0 km2, or 29.48%, are water.

Hodge is located on U.S. Highway 167, approximately 2 mi north of Jonesboro, the parish seat, and 6 mi south of Quitman. SR 147 intersects Highway 167 immediately north of Hodge; it leads northwest 24 mi to Arcadia.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 492 people, 238 households, and 135 families residing in the village. The population density was 513.6 PD/sqmi. There were 273 housing units at an average density of 285.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 76.83% White, 22.15% African American, 0.20% Asian, 0.41% from other races, and 0.41% from two or more races.

There were 238 households, out of which 21.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.3% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.9% were non-families. 41.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 20.5% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 21.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $22,237, and the median income for a family was $32,750. Males had a median income of $26,953 versus $15,893 for females. The per capita income for the village was $14,192. About 9.9% of families and 17.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.0% of those under age 18 and 18.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Jackson Parish School Board serves the village.

Zoned schools include:
 * Southside Elementary School
 * Jonesboro-Hodge Middle School
 * Jonesboro-Hodge High School

Notable person

 * Jerry Huckaby, congressman

title: Hodge, Louisiana


text:
Jonesboro, Louisiana

Jonesboro is a town in, and the parish seat of, Jackson Parish in the northern portion of the U.S. state of Louisiana. The population was 4,106 in 2020.

History
Founded on January 10, 1860, by Joseph Jones and his wife, Sarah Pankey Jones, as a small family farm, Jonesboro is now a small industrial mill town. Originally founded as "Macedonia," the small town's name changed to Jonesboro on January 16, 1901, after the United States Post Office Department approved the change and became the seat of government for Jackson Parish on March 15, 1911, following a parish-wide referendum. Jonesboro remains the parish's agricultural, industrial, economic, and governmental center.

During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, whites violently resisted African-American efforts to gain their constitutional rights as citizens, even after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Ku Klux Klan, which was active in the area, conducted what was called a "reign of terror" in 1964, including harassment of activists, "the burning of crosses on the lawns of African-American voters," murder, and destroying five black churches by fire, as well as their Masonic hall, and a Baptist center.

In November 1964, Earnest "Chilly Willy" Thomas and Frederick Douglass Kirkpatrick (the latter ordained that year as a minister of the Church of God in Christ), founded the Deacons for Defense and Justice in Jonesboro. It was an armed self-defense group, largely made up of men who were World War II and Korean War veterans. At night, they conducted regular patrols of the city's black community which occupied an area known as "the Quarters". They protected civil rights activists and their families during and outside demonstrations. At the request of activists in Bogalusa, another mill town where blacks were under pressure from violent whites, Thomas and Kirkpatrick helped found an affiliated chapter in that city. Ultimately there were 21 chapters in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, operating through 1968. In Jonesboro, the Deacons achieved some changes, such as integrating parks and a swimming pool. Activists achieved more after congressional passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and their entry into politics.

Geography
Jonesboro is in southwestern Jackson Parish. U.S. Route 167 passes through the town's northern and eastern sides, leading north 22 mi to Ruston and south 23 mi to Winnfield. Louisiana Highway 4 passes through the center of Jonesboro, leading east 17 mi to Chatham and west 19 mi to Lucky.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Jonesboro has an area of 12.7 km2, of which 12.5 km2 are land and 0.1 km2, or 1.17%, are water. Jonesboro water bodies drain north to the Little Dugdemona River, which turns southwest and forms the southward-flowing Dugdemona River.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Jonesboro has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,106 people, 1,374 households, and 754 families residing in the town.

Government
The city has a mayor-council form of government; all persons are elected. Independent Dr. James Spoke Harris was inaugurated on December 31, 2022 Democrat James E. Bradford was inaugurated on December 29, 2014.

The previous mayor, Leslie Cornell Thompson, was suspended from office in September 2013 after being convicted of malfeasance in office. As of 2013, Jonesboro had not had a budget since 2008. His wife, Yoshi Chambers Thompson, was initially appointed by the city council to succeed him as interim mayor. Her legitimacy was questioned by Kenneth David Folden, the fiscal administrator appointed by the state the day after Thompson's conviction to bring city finances back into order. Tammy Sheridan Lee, the Monroe city judge who administered the oath to Yoshi Thompson, has withdrawn the authorization. Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell is reviewing the legality of the situation.

Meanwhile, Judge James Cecil "Jimmy" Teat of the Louisiana 2nd Judicial District Court in Jonesboro ruled that Thompson had violated the conditions of his bond through continued interference in municipal business. Judge Teat ordered Thompson to be incarcerated in the Jackson Parish Correctional Center until his sentencing on the malfeasance charges.

A Democrat, Thompson had been elected mayor on October 2, 2010, with 82votes 4 (57.6 percent) to the Republican candidate, Freddie Brown's, 607 (42.4 percent).

On October 17, 2013, based on the conviction of malfeasance, Judge Teat sentenced Mayor Thompson to six years of hard labor, large fines, $51,000 in restitution to the city of Jonesboro, five years' suspended sentence, and five years of supervised probation. Thompson will remain incarcerated pending appeal.

In the runoff election for mayor held on December 8, 2018, Thompson unseated Bradford.

Arts and culture
Jonesboro is the home of "Christmas Wonderland in the Pines", a local festival held annually. It begins the Saturday after Thanksgiving Day and continues through December.

Jonesboro also has a "Sunshine Festival" in the summer, featuring antique cars and tractors, food, and games.

Transportation
U.S. Highway 167 passes by Jackson, which is located twenty-four miles south of Ruston. SR 4 joins Highway 167 at Jonesboro, which is in the southwestern portion of Jackson Parish.

Immigration Detention

The Jackson Parish Correctional Center is an ICE detention facility located in Jonesboro. It is a medium security detention center with a capacity of 1,252.

Education
The Jackson Parish School Board oversees the public school system within Jonesboro from a parish-level.

Zoned schools include:
 * Jonesboro-Hodge Elementary School
 * Jonesboro-Hodge Middle School
 * Jonesboro-Hodge High School

The town is also home to the Louisiana Delta Community College Jonesboro campus, which offers courses in welding, business administration, and various general requirement courses.

Notable people

 * Rodney Alexander, Republican former U.S. Representative and secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs in Baton Rouge
 * Marty Booker, NFL wide receiver
 * Marvin T. Culpepper, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Jackson Parish from 1964 to 1968
 * James Houston "Jimmie" Davis, who is buried here, was a Louisiana governor, actors in the 1940s and 1950s, and writer of the song "You Are My Sunshine".
 * John Garlington, American football linebacker in the National Football League, played with the Cleveland Browns
 * Frederick Douglass Kirkpatrick, singer-songwriter, ordained minister, civil rights activist and co-founder of Deacons for Defense and Justice here in November 1964; he recorded three albums for Smithsonian Folkway Recordings (1968-1978)
 * Randy Moffett, president of the University of Louisiana System from 2008 to 2012, was born in Jonesboro in 1947.
 * James P. Pope, former U.S. Senator from Idaho and former mayor of Boise.
 * Jerry Robinson, NFL kick returner, born in Jonesboro, played professional football for the San Diego Chargers/NYJets, 1962-1965

title: Jonesboro, Louisiana


text:
North Hodge, Louisiana

North Hodge is a village in Jackson Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 388 at the 2010 census, down from 436 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Ruston Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
North Hodge is located in southwestern Jackson Parish at 32.28194°N, -92.71833°W (32.282052, -92.718443). It is bordered to the southwest by Hodge and to the south by East Hodge. U.S. Route 167 passes through the village, leading north 5 mi to Quitman and south through Hodge 3 mi to Jonesboro, the parish seat.

According to the United States Census Bureau, North Hodge has a total area of 1.78 sqkm, of which 1.76 sqkm are land and 0.02 sqkm, or 1.00%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 436 people, 172 households, and 116 families residing in the village. The population density was 647.8 PD/sqmi. There were 213 housing units at an average density of 316.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 80.50% White, 17.89% African American, 0.69% Native American, 0.69% Asian, and 0.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.23% of the population.

There were 172 households, out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living there, 51.7% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 28.2% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $21,563, and the median income for a family was $27,083. Males had a median income of $28,625 versus $13,000 for females. The per capita income for the village was $10,934. About 26.3% of families and 28.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.0% of those under age 18 and 16.1% of those age 65 or over.

Current government
North Hodge is governed under provisions of the Lawrason Act.

The current mayor serving since 2015 is Kathy Robertson. Council members are Chasity Womack (since 2015), Ernest "Ernie" Roden, & Andrea Woods, since 2019. The chief of police is Robert "Bobby" Dillon.

title: North Hodge, Louisiana


text:
Quitman, Louisiana

Quitman is a village in Jackson Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of the 2010 census, the village population was 181. Quitman is 15 mi south of Ruston on U.S. Highway 167, and 9 mi north of Jonesboro, the parish seat of Jackson Parish. It is also adjacent to the Jackson Bienville Wildlife Area.

Quitman is part of the Ruston Micropolitan Statistical Area. East of Quitman is the Jimmie Davis Tabernacle, a gospel meeting hall. Behind the tabernacle are the grave sites of former Governor Jimmie Davis and his first wife, née Alvern Adams. Davis was born and reared in the area in the since abandoned Beech Springs community.

Geography
Quitman is located at 32.34667°N, -92.7225°W (32.346643, -92.722548). According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.9 sqmi, all land.

Education
Quitman High School is a public K-12 academic school in Quitman. They have a school rivalry which is Weston High School.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 168 people, 69 households, and 48 families residing in the village. The population density was 180.3 PD/sqmi. There were 76 housing units at an average density of 81.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 99.40% White and 0.60% African American. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.19% of the population.

There were 69 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $39,167, and the median income for a family was $39,583. Males had a median income of $36,875 versus $17,000 for females. The per capita income for the village was $17,182. About 11.8% of families and 12.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under the age of eighteen and 6.5% of those 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Rodney Alexander, former U.S. representative from Louisiana's 5th congressional district, and former Secretary of the Veteran's Affairs for the State of Louisiana, a Republican, resides in Quitman.
 * Toby Borland is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played between and  for the Philadelphia Phillies (1994-, ), New York Mets, Boston Red Sox (1997), Anaheim Angels  and Florida Marlins.

title: Quitman, Louisiana


text:
Elton, Louisiana

Elton is a town in Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 992 at the 2020 census, down from 1,128 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Jennings Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The wife of pioneer settler J. M. Henderson is said to have chosen the name "Elton" for her home town from a book in which she read of an English town named Elton. That was probably the town on the northwest coast of England in County Durham near Middlesbrough. Elton, Louisiana, was incorporated as a village in 1911.

Geography
Elton is in northeast Jefferson Davis Parish and is bordered to the north by Allen Parish. U.S. Route 190 passes through the town, leading east 16 mi to Eunice and west 9 mi to Kinder. Jennings, the Jefferson Davis Parish seat, is 26 mi to the south of Elton via Louisiana Highway 26.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of Elton has a total area of 4.3 km2, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 992 people, 504 households, and 291 families residing in the town.

Education
Jefferson Davis Parish Public Schools operates public schools in Elton. Schools serving Elton, within Elton, include Elton Elementary School (PK-5) and Elton High School (6-12).

Jefferson Davis Parish Library operates the Elton Branch at 813 Main Street.

Notable people

 * Al Woods- American football player for the New York Jets
 * Leo Thomas, Zydeco drummer and vocalist
 * Leroy Thomas, Zydeco vocalist and musician known as "The Jewel of the Bayou." Son of Leo Thomas
 * Joseph F. Fuselier, first sheriff of Jefferson Davis Parish
 * Lorena Langley Coushatta basket maker

title: Elton, Louisiana


text:
Fenton, Louisiana

Fenton is a village in Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 226 at the 2020 census. It is notable for being a speed trap along U.S. Route 165.

History
Fenton has received notoriety because of the village's use of the police department to write speeding tickets. Fines and forfeitures account for funding 92% of the village's budget, the highest rate in Louisiana.

Geography
Fenton is located in northwestern Jefferson Davis Parish at 30.36417°N, -92.9175°W (30.364271, -92.917514). U.S. Route 165 passes through the center of town, leading northeast 9 mi to Kinder and southwest 11 mi to Iowa.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Fenton has a total area of 1.1 km2, all land.

Demographics
Fenton is part of the Jennings Micropolitan Statistical Area.

As of the census of 2000, there were 380 people, 141 households, and 101 families residing in the village. The population density was 921.6 PD/sqmi. There were 153 housing units at an average density of 371.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 45.26% White, 52.37% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.53% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.11% of the population.

There were 141 households, out of which 41.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 17.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 32.9% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $21,125, and the median income for a family was $25,625. Males had a median income of $25,417 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $9,958. About 29.1% of families and 33.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.1% of those under age 18 and 19.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The entire parish is in the Jefferson Davis Parish School District.

Notable persons
Thomas A. "Tom" Greene, a former state senator from Iberville Parish, graduated in 1966 from Fenton High School.

title: Fenton, Louisiana