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Opelousas, Louisiana

Opelousas (Les Opélousas; Los Opeluzás) is a small city and the parish seat of St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, United States. Interstate 49 and U.S. Route 190 were constructed with a junction here. According to the 2020 census, Opelousas has a population of 15,786, a 6.53 percent decline since the 2010 census, which had recorded a population of 16,634. Opelousas is the principal city for the Opelousas-Eunice Micropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 80,808 in 2020. Opelousas is also the fourth largest city in the Lafayette-Acadiana Combined Statistical Area, which has a population of 537,947.

Historically an area of settlement by French and Spanish Creoles, Creoles of color, and Acadians, Opelousas is the center of zydeco music. It celebrates its heritage at the Creoles of Color Heritage Folklife Center, one of the destinations on the new Louisiana African-American Heritage Trail. It is also the location of the Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino.

The city calls itself "the spice capital of the world", with production and sale of seasonings such as Tony Chachere's products, Targil Seasonings, Savoie's cajun meats and products, and LouAna Cooking Oil.

During the tenure of Sheriff Cat Doucet, from 1936 to 1940 and again from 1952 to 1968, the section of Opelousas along Highway 190 was a haven of gambling and prostitution, the profits from which he skimmed a take.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 15,786 people, 6,248 households, and 3,527 families residing in the city.

2018
According to the 2018 United States Census estimate, 16,126 people reside within the city limits of Opelousas. The racial makeup of the city was 77.04% Black, 20.3% White, .04% Native American, .05% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, .43% Other Race, 1.08% two or more races, and 1.06% was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2010 census
The 2010 United States Census, 16,634 people resided in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 74.8% Black, 21.9% White, 0.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from some other race and 1.0% from two or more races; 1.2% was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, 22,860 people, 8,699 households, and 5,663 families resided in the city. The population density was 3240.0 PD/sqmi. The 9,783 housing units averaged 1,386.6 per square mile (535.0/km$2$). The racial makeup of the city was 69.12% African American, 29.30% White, 0.10% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latino of any race were 0.88% of the population. In 2000, 89.1% of the population over the age of five spoke English at home, 9.7% of the population spoke French or Cajun, and 0.7% spoke Louisiana Creole French.

Of the 8,699 households, 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.7% were married couples living together, 26.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were not families; 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the city, the population was distributed as 30.3% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $14,717, and for a family was $19,966. Males had a median income of $24,588 versus $17,104 for females. The per capita income for the city was $9,957. About 37.7% of families and 43.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 57.2% of those under age 18 and 32.0% of those age 65 or over.

Early years
Opelousas takes its name from the Native American tribe Opelousa who had occupied the area before European contact.

French traders, called coureur de bois (trapper and hunter), arrived in the Opelousas area in the early 1740s to trade with the Opelousas Indians. The French encouraged immigration to the Opelousas Post before they ceded Louisiana to Spain in 1762. French governor Jean-Jacques d’Abbadie opened the "Opelousas Country" to settlers in 1763. An official post was established in 1764; Frenchman Louis Gérard Pellerin was appointed as the first commandant on July 1, 1764. By 1766, Saint Landry Catholic Church was built. In 1769, about 100 families, mostly French, were living in the post. Don Alejandro O'Reilly, Spanish governor of Louisiana, issued a land ordinance to allow settlers in the frontier of the Opelousas Territory to acquire land grants. However, O’Reilly forbade Acadians from settling in the Opelousas area until his successor, Luis de Unzaga, nullified that order and allowed Acadians to settle at the Opelousas. The first official land grant was made in 1782. Numerous settlers: French, Spanish, Creoles, and Acadians – mainly from the Attakapas Territory – came to the Opelousas Territory and acquired land grants. By the mid-1780s, land was granted at the site of contemporary Opelousas. (Some people confuse the name of this Indian tribe and territory, Opelousas, with that of the Appaloosa horse. But there is no connection; the name for the Appaloosa breed is derived from Palouse, a river named by the Nez Perce Northwestern Plains Indians.)

After the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, settlers continued to migrate here from St. Martinville. LeBon, Prejean, Thibodaux, Esprit, Nezat, Hebert, Babineaux, Mouton, and Provost were some of the early Creole families. (This use of Creole meant ethnic French and Spanish people who were born in Louisiana. Later Louisiana Creole was a term applied to anyone with French, Spanish, and Canadian ancestry. Creoles of color were mostly assigned to mixed-race people, descended primarily from Native Americans, African-Americans, and ethnic French, with other heritage in more recent years.) Other early French Creole families were Roy, Barre, Guenard, Decuir, and Bail. In 1820, Alex Charles Barre, also a French Creole, founded Port Barre. His ancestors came from the French West Indies, probably after the revolution in which Haiti (St. Domingue) became independent. Jim Bowie and his family were said to have settled in the area circa 1813.

In 1805, Opelousas became the seat of the newly formed St. Landry Parish – named after the church located there and in honor of Saint Landry – the parish was also known as the Imperial Parish of Louisiana. The year 1806 marked the beginning of significant construction in Opelousas. The first courthouse was constructed in the middle of the town. Later in 1806, Louisiana Memorial United Methodist Church was founded, the first Methodist church in Louisiana. Five years later, the first St. Landry Parish Police Jury met in Opelousas, keeping minutes in the two official languages of English and French. The city was incorporated by legislative act on February 14, 1821.

American Civil War
European and American settlement was based on plantation agriculture, and both groups brought or purchased numerous enslaved Africans and African Americans to work as laborers in cotton cultivation. African Americans influenced all cultures as the people created a creolized cuisine and music. The long decline of cotton prices throughout the 19th century created economic problems, worsened by the lack of employment diversity.

In 1862, after Baton Rouge fell to the Union troops during the Civil War, Opelousas was designated the state capital for nine months. The governor's mansion in Opelousas, which was the oldest remaining governor's mansion in Louisiana, was the victim of arson on July 14, 2016, and the structure was reduced to a chimney and its foundation. The one-story mansion was located on the corner of Liberty and Grolee Streets, just west of the heart of town. An observation tower was removed from the top of the residence in the early 1900s, but the remainder of the exterior was identical to its original construction in the 1850s. The entire roof section of heavy rafters was held in place by thousands of wooden pegs; not one nail could be found in the attic. Plans had been made to restore the building to some of its former splendor. The capital was moved again in 1863, this time to Shreveport, when Union troops occupied Opelousas. During Reconstruction, the state government operated from New Orleans.

Reconstruction
After the defeat of the South and emancipation of slaves, many whites had difficulty accepting the changed conditions, especially as economic problems and dependence on agriculture slowed the South's recovery. Social tensions were high during Reconstruction. In 1868, in what is known as the Opelousas massacre, whites killed 27 African Americans in a mass execution; they had been captured in a protest. Whites continued to attack blacks on sight for days. An estimated additional 23 to 200–300 freedmen were killed during this period. This series of murders comprised one of the single worst instances of Reconstruction violence in south Louisiana.

Following this, Opelousas in 1872 enacted ordinances that greatly restricted the freedoms of black Americans. These codes required blacks to have a written pass from their employer to enter the town and to state the duration of their visit. Blacks were not allowed on the streets after a 10 pm curfew; they could neither own a house nor reside in the town, unless they were employed by a white person, and they were not allowed in the town after 3 pm on Sundays. Like the Black Codes, such police regulations restricted the freedoms and personal autonomy of freedmen after the Civil War in the South.

Refugee era and beyond
In 1880, the railroad reached Opelousas. In the late 19th century, New York City social services agencies arranged for resettlement of Catholic orphan children by sending them to western rural areas, including Opelousas, in Louisiana and other states. At least three Orphan Trains reached this city before 1929. Opelousas is the heart of a traditional Catholic region of French, Spanish, Canadian, and French West Indian ancestry. Catholic families in Louisiana took in more than 2,000 mostly Catholic orphans to live in their rural farming communities.

In the year 1920, segregation at St Landry Catholic Church led local Black Catholics to establish their own parish, Holy Ghost. It has since grown to become the largest Black parish in the United States.

In May 1927, Opelousas accepted thousands of refugees following the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 in the Mississippi Delta. Heavy rains in northern and midwestern areas caused intense flooding in areas of Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana downstream, especially after levées near Moreauville, Cecilia, and Melville collapsed.

More than 81% of St. Landry Parish suffered some flooding, with 77% of the inhabitants directly affected. People in more southern areas of Louisiana, especially those communities along Bayou Teche, were forced to flee their homes for areas that suffered less damage. By May 20, over 5,700 refugees were registered in Opelousas, which had a population of only 6,000 people. Many of the refugees later returned to their homes and began the rebuilding process.

During the tenure of Parish Sheriff Cat Doucet from 1936 to 1940 and 1952 to 1968, the section of Opelousas along Highway 190 was a haven of gambling and prostitution. Doucet told historian Michael Kurtz that, with the return of Earl Long to the governorship in 1956, Doucet could bring back brothels and casinos and get a take of the proceeds.

Festivals
The annual Yambilee Festival in Opelousas began in 1946. The harvest festival took place on the last weekend in October. Activities included agricultural competitions, carnival rides, pageants, and parades with floats. John F. Kennedy once attended. The festival has since been cancelled.

Since 1982, Opelousas has hosted the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival. Usually held the Saturday before Labor Day at Zydeco Park in Plaisance, the festival features a day of performances by Zydeco musicians, with the goal of keeping the genre alive. Additional annual events include:
 * Annual Gumbo Cook-off – January
 * Holy Ghost Festival – first weekend of November, near All Saints Day (Nov. 1)
 * Christmas Lighting of Le Vieux Village- first Friday every December
 * Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Parade- Mardi Gras (Tuesday before Ash Wednesday in French Catholic tradition)
 * Opelousas Mardi Gras Celebration/Street Dance on Court St.- Mardi Gras

Education
Opelousas is home to several public and private schools. Opelousas has many public high schools, which are Opelousas Senior High, Northwest High School, and Magnet Academy for Cultural Arts. Opelousas Junior High serves as the area middle school. The city has seven public elementary schools. It is also home to one of the campuses of South Louisiana Community College.

The private schools are religiously based, including Opelousas Catholic School, Westminster Christian Academy, Apostolic Christian Academy, New Hope Christian Academy, and Family Worship Christian Academy.

Media
Opelousas is part of the Lafayette television and radio markets.

The city is home to KOCZ-LP, a low power community radio station owned and operated by the Southern Development Foundation. The station was built by numerous volunteers from Opelousas and around the country at the third Prometheus Radio Project barnraising.

KOCZ broadcasts music, news, and public affairs to listeners now at 92.9. It was originally on 103.7, but had to move due to a full-power station being licensed to 103.7. Opelousas is home to The Mix KOGM 107.1FM, which is owned by KSLO Broadcasting, Inc.

There are two TV stations based in Opelousas, KDCG-CD (Class A Digital) TV Channel 22 and K39JV, another low power on channel 39.

Economy
The primary industries in Opelousas are agriculture, oil, manufacturing, wholesale, and retail.

The horse racing track Evangeline Downs relocated to Opelousas from its former home in Carencro, Louisiana, in 2003. It employs over 600 workers.

Opelousas is also home to Tony Chachere, a Louisiana spice company with a worldwide reach. The company makes a variety of seasoning blends, sauces, marinades, and other products.

In September 1999, Wal-Mart opened a large distribution center just north of the city. It is generating an $89 million impact per year to the area, employing over 600 full-time workers.

Sports
Opelousas was home to the Opelousas Indians, a minor league baseball franchise that was based in Opelousas in 1907, 1932 and 1934–1941. The Indians were members of the Gulf Coast League (1907) and Evangeline League (1934–1941). The team played at Elementary School Park. The Opelousas Orphans played a portion of the 1932 season in the Cotton States League. Opelousas was an affiliate of the Cleveland Indians (1935–1937, 1939).

Athletes

 * Rod Milburn, 1972 Summer Olympics gold medalist
 * Lloyd Mumphord, NFL cornerback and special-teams captain for Miami Dolphins during their perfect season (1972–73), two-time Super Bowl champion
 * Marvin White, safety for the Cincinnati Bengals
 * Devery Henderson, wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints
 * CeeDee Lamb, wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys
 * Daniel Baldridge, offensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans
 * Keon Coleman, wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills

Clergy

 * W. C. Friley, Baptist clergyman who, through a series of revival meetings in 1880, helped to establish First Baptist Church Opelousas.
 * Dominic Carmon, Roman Catholic bishop
 * Charles Michael Jarrell, Roman Catholic bishop

Culinary

 * Chef Tony Chachere was born in Opelousas; the town is home to his company, Tony Chachere Creole Foods.
 * Chef Paul Prudhomme

Entertainers

 * Rod Bernard, American singer who helped to pioneer the musical genre known as "swamp pop", which combined New Orleans-style rhythm and blues, country and western, and Cajun music.
 * Tex Brashear, voice-over/cartoon voice actor
 * Clifton Chenier, legendary zydeco musician
 * Richard Eastham (1916–2005), actor
 * Mabel Sonnier Savoie, American singer, guitarist

Historians

 * Winston De Ville, Colonial Louisiana and Mississippi Valley historian, genealogist, and author
 * Carl A. Brasseaux, historian of French Colonial Louisiana

Politicians

 * Cindy Courville, first US Ambassador to the African Union
 * Jay Dean, mayor of Longview, Texas, 2005–2015; Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives, was born in Opelousas in 1953.
 * Cat Doucet, Sheriff of St. Landry Parish, 1936–40; 1952–68
 * Gilbert L. Dupré, state representative and district court judge for St. Landry Parish
 * H. Garland Dupré, state representative and U.S. representative for Louisiana's 2nd congressional district in New Orleans, was born in Opelousas in 1873.
 * Jacques Dupré, 8th Governor of Louisiana; fought in Battle of New Orleans, and served as a state politician from 1816 to 1848. Owned the largest ranch in Louisiana in 1830.
 * Ivan L. R. Lemelle, Federal Judge, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, and former U.S. Magistrate Judge of the same district.
 * Charles Nash, African American Republican Representative after during the Reconstruction era
 * André B. Roman, 9th Governor of Louisiana serving two non-consecutive terms. Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1822 to 1826. State politician from 1818 to 1843.
 * Louisiana Chief Justice Albert Tate, Jr., who later served on the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, based in New Orleans.

Others

 * Jim Bowie, legendary adventurer and hero of the Alamo, lived in Opelousas for a time.
 * Rezin Bowie, older brother of Alamo hero Jim Bowie and inventor of the famous Bowie knife, lived in Opelousas and married and converted to Catholicism at St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas.
 * Confederate Brigadier General J.J. Alfred Mouton, CSA, was born in Opelousas on February 29, 1829; he served under Confederate General Richard Taylor, and was killed during the Battle of Mansfield, Louisiana.
 * Bobby Dunbar, noted kidnap victim
 * Antoinette Frank, death-row inmate at the Louisiana Correctional Institute
 * Georgia Ann Robinson, first African American woman to serve as an officer in the Los Angeles Police Department
 * Summrs, rapper and progenitor of the pluggnb subgenre
 * Harry Swinney, physicist and member of the National Academy of Sciences, known for contributions to the field of nonlinear dynamics.

In popular culture
Musician Billy Cobham recorded a song called "Opelousas" on his 1978 album Simplicity of Expression – Depth of Thought (Columbia Records JC 35457).

The 1980s synthpop musician Thomas Dolby mentions Opelousas in the song "I Love You Goodbye" from his 1992 album Astronauts & Heretics. The narrator of the song describes being arrested by a sheriff who offers to let him go in exchange for a bribe, under the guise of a contribution to the town's charity ball.

The folk-rock singer Lucinda Williams mentions Opelousas in the song "Concrete and Barbed Wire" from her critically acclaimed album Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. Singer-songwriter and comedian Henry Phillips mentions Opelousas as one of the venues in his song "I'm In Minneapolis (You're In Hollywood)"'.

title: Opelousas, Louisiana


text:
Palmetto, Louisiana

Palmetto is a village in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 188 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Opelousas–Eunice Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Palmetto is located at 30.71667°N, -91.90778°W (30.716729, -91.907648).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.3 km$2$), all land.

2020 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 164 people living in the village. The racial makeup of the village was 50.6% White, 45.1% Black and 4.3% from two or more races.

As of the census of 2000, there were 188 people, 75 households, and 48 families living in the village. The population density was 208.6 PD/sqmi. There were 94 housing units at an average density of 104.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 40.43% White, 58.51% African American, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.06% of the population. This does not account for the Creole/Cajun population; a distinct culture which is made up of several ethnic groups.

There were 75 households, out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.7% were married couples living together, 21.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 34.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 31.9% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $28,750, and the median income for a family was $38,125. Males had a median income of $32,917 versus $11,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $7,787. About 31.7% of families and 36.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.7% of those under the age of eighteen and 32.1% of those 65 or over.

In popular culture
Brit Bennett's second novel The Vanishing Half is based on her mother's memories of growing up in Palmetto. "She brought it up the way parents often do, like it’s something everybody knew...that there were towns where people would intermarry so that their children would get lighter with each generation."

Notable people

 * Morris Pejoe, (1924–1982), a Chicago blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter was born in Palmetto

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Palmetto, Louisiana


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Port Barre, Louisiana

Port Barre (BAH-ree) is a town in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, United States. The town began in 1760 as an Indian trading post at the place where Bayou Teche flows out of Bayou Courtableau. The population was 2,055 at the 2010 census, down from 2,287 in 2000. It is part of the Opelousas–Eunice Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Port Barre takes its name from Alex Charles Barre (born 1746, died 1829); it was not incorporated under this name until 1898.

In 1733, the semi-nomadic Opelousas Indians petitioned the French colonial government to send traders to their district. In 1760, a couple of coureurs des bois set up a trading post at a landing where the bayous meet.

In 1765, Jacques Courtableau, a wealthy landowner, gave land grants to 32 Acadian immigrants. That same year, he sold Charles Barre a large parcel of land, including the site of the first trading post. The post later became known as Barre's Landing, then Port Barre. It thrived as a port town before the days of the railroads.

Guillaume Barre was born in 1642 in St. Valery, France. He emigrated, settling about 1665 in Martinique in the French West Indies. Guillaume Barre met Jean Roy (1625–1707) and Jean Hebert (1624); they traveled together to Louisiana. The Barres settled in Pointe Coupee, Louisiana, where they met the Nezat family (Pierre Nezat coming from Saint Domingue), and the Provost family (Nicolas Provost coming from Paris via Fort de Chartres, in the Illinois Country).

Alex Charles Barre is a descendant of Guillaume Barre. In 1765 he bought a large parcel of land, including the site of the first trading post, from Jacques Courtableau. Barre married Magdelaine Decuir in Pointe Coupee; they had 11 children together. Three of their children married three members of the Nezat family. Around this same time, three Nezats married three Roys, and the three families became closely entwined.

In 1820, Charles Alex Barre purchased additional acres along the bank of the bayou from Sieur Jacques Guillaume Courtableau. The Barre family operated a goods-handling business. The Barre, Nezat, and Roy families settled in this area and expanded. The settlement continued to grow through the 19th century. On July 13, 1898, the village of Port Barre was officially incorporated by Act of Proclamation of Louisiana Governor Jared Y. Sanders, Sr.

Geography
Port Barre is located at the confluence of Bayou Courtableau and Bayou Teche, 8 miles east of Opelousas and 52 miles west of Baton Rouge via U.S. Highway 190.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km$2$), all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,751 people, 680 households, and 469 families residing in the town.

2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 2,055 people living in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 70.7% White, 25.6% Black, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian and 1.8% from two or more races. 1.6% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,287 people, 867 households, and 625 families living in the town. The population density was 2,076 PD/sqmi. There were 952 housing units at an average density of 864 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 71.88% White, 27.28% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.17% Asian, and 0.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.61% of the population.

There were 867 households, out of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 17.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 24.6% 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 2.64 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.8% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $23,945, and the median income for a family was $29,279. Males had a median income of $30,761 versus $19,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,028. About 21.6% of families and 28.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.7% of those under age 18 and 29.2% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture
Port Barre hosts an annual "Cracklin' Festival," recognized by the state of Louisiana, on the second weekend in November. The Cracklin' Festival was started in 1986 by the Port Barre Lions Club. All proceeds from the festival are donated to underprivileged children who need glasses or eye surgery.

Education
Port Barre is home to the Port Barre High School Red Devils.

Notable people

 * Clay Higgins, member of the United States House of Representatives for Louisiana's 3rd congressional district

title: Port Barre, Louisiana


text:
Sunset, Louisiana

Sunset is a town in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 2,897 at the 2010 census, up from 2,352 in 2000. It is part of the Opelousas–Eunice Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Sunset is located at 30.40833°N, -92.06611°W (30.408456, -92.066132).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.1 square miles (8.1 km$2$), of which 3.1 square miles (8.1 km$2$) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1 km$2$) (0.96%) is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,909 people, 1,063 households, and 796 families residing in the town.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,897 people, 1,129 households, and 787 families residing in the town. The population density was 934.5 PD/sqmi. There were 1,226 housing units at an average density of 395.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 46.8% White, 48.9% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.7% of the population.

There were 1,129 households, out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.4% were married couples living together, 23.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 31.4% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 20 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.

As of the 2009 American Community Survey, the median income for a household in the town was $33,000, and the median income for a family was $62,708. Males had a median income of $59,375 versus $23,258 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,901. About 10.6% of families and 18.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 39.4% of those age 65 or over.

History
Like many towns in Southern Louisiana, Sunset began as a railroad town (for the out-distribution of cotton and sweet potatoes and the in-distribution of specialty goods), was incorporated in 1904, and had its first village meeting that December 7. Victor Hugo Sibille was the first mayor. As part of a large-scale conversion of arable land away from cotton (due to the mass-destruction from the cotton boll weevil) and toward sweet potatoes in the late 19th century, the city gave itself the nickname "Sweet Potato Capital of the Nation" at the turn of the 20th century. According to local lore, The Bank of Sunset was one of the very few that did not close throughout the Great Depression of 1929.

title: Sunset, Louisiana


text:
Washington, Louisiana

Washington is a village in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 742 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Opelousas–Eunice Micropolitan Statistical Area. Washington was the largest inland port between New Orleans and St. Louis for much of the 19th century.

Geography
Washington is located at 30.61444°N, -92.05833°W (30.614428, -92.058363).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.9 sqmi, of which 0.9 sqmi is land and 1.15% is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 742 people, 382 households, and 212 families residing in the town.

2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 964 people living in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 52.8% Black, 43.2% White, 0.4% Native American, 0.1% Asian and 1.7% from two or more races. 1.9% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 1,082 people, 459 households and 289 families living in the town. The population density was 1,256.8 PD/sqmi. There were 535 housing units at an average density of 621.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 43.07% White, 56.28% African American, 0.37% from other races, and 0.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.02% of the population.

There were 459 households, of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.2% were married couples living together, 25.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.05.

Age distribution was 29.1% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.3 males.

The median household income was $12,177, and the median family income was $17,727. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $14,479 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,607. About 45.6% of families and 48.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 58.0% of those under age 18 and 38.4% of those age 65 or over.

History
The Grimble Bell School was located in Washington and was the first African American school in the parish when it opened in the 1830s; it was forced closed by white vigilantes in 1860.

During the American Civil War, some of Union General Nathaniel P. Banks' forces occupied several towns in the region, including Washington, which was then larger than the parish seat of Opelousas. Banks' men stripped the towns of supplies of all kinds, including food, livestock, cotton, and other trade goods; the total value of the goods was estimated at more than ten million dollars.

After the war, there was extensive white resistance to the emancipation and enfranchisement of former slaves or freedmen. Some insurgents based in Opelousas formed the Seymour Knights, a unit of the Knights of the White Camellia. In the fall of 1868 before the election, white Democrats in Washington rejected African Americans who sought to join their political party, and the Seymour Knights physically drove the blacks out of the city.

A series of events followed in which blacks marched on Opelousas and 29 men were captured. All but two were executed without trial, and whites rampaged against blacks in the parish seat and surrounding area, killing an estimated 50 to 200-300 African Americans, in what is known as the Opelousas Massacre.

Speed trap
Washington has a reputation of being a speed trap; that is, a town where traffic laws are enforced extremely strictly as a means of generating revenue. A 2007 report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor found that more than 50% of the town's revenue came from traffic-related fines in the 2005 fiscal year. It was one of 15 such towns. In 2009, then-mayor Joseph Pitre told The Advocate newspaper that he believed the town had collected between $700,000-$800,000 from speeding tickets yearly.

In 2014, State Representative Alan Seabaugh targeted Washington as the most "notorious" speed trap in the state. He obtained approval of the House Transportation Committee to allow enforcement of traffic laws only if a community had incorporated at least one-half mile of land that extends to each side of an interstate highway, excluding overpasses and ramps. At the time, Seabaugh reported receiving many complaints from constituents in Shreveport as well as out-of-state drivers who have been ticketed for speeding only slightly over the legal limit.

Culture
Washington holds the annual Festival du Courtableau, now renamed the Washington Catfish Festival. On November 15, 1978, the downtown area was added to the National Register of Historic Places as the Washington Historic District.

Notable people

 * Oramel H. Simpson, governor
 * Arthur T. Prescott, academic president and administrator

title: Washington, Louisiana


text:
Breaux Bridge, Louisiana

Breaux Bridge (Pont-Breaux; Pont-(de)-Breaux  ) is a small city in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 8,139 as of the 2010 census, up from 7,281 in 2000. By 2020, its population was 7,513. It is part of the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area.

Originally dubbed "La Capitale Mondiale de l’Écrevisse," by its French-speaking residents, Breaux Bridge was officially designated the "Crawfish Capital of the World" by Bob Angelle, then serving as Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives.

Breaux Bridge hosts an annual Crawfish Festival. It is regionally noted for its practice of listing people by nicknames in the town's telephone directory.

History
Fermin Breaux was a pioneer from Acadia, who settled here after expulsion by the British in what is now eastern Canada. He is known to have arrived in the area during early 1765 (after the British defeat of the French in 1763). By 1774, his branding iron was registered. By 1786 he was one of the largest property owners in the Bayou Têche country.

In 1799, Breaux built a footbridge across the Bayou Têche to help his family and neighbors make the passage. This first bridge was a suspension footbridge, likely made of rope and small planks. It was stabilized by being tied to small pilings located at each end of the bridge as well as to a pair of huge live oak trees on both sides of the bayou. When traveling directions were given, residents would often instruct people to "go to Breaux's bridge . . ." This was later adopted as the city's name.

On August 25, 1829, the widow Scholastique (Picou) Breaux founded Breaux Bridge, Louisiana at the age of 33. She was born Scholastique Melanie Picou on July 25, 1796. At a young age, she had married Agricole Breaux. Together, they had five children. In 1817, the couple replaced the Bayou Têche suspension footbridge built by Agricole's father Fermin with a vehicular bridge that allowed wagon passage and made way for the area's increasing commerce. At the age of 32, her husband died and Breaux was widowed.

A determined Acadian woman, Scholastique drew up Plan de la Ville du Pont des Breaux (“Plan for the City of Breaux Bridge”), which included a detailed map of the area and a diagram of streets. She developed the area by selling land lots to other Acadian settlers. In 1847, a church parish was created. Twelve years later, the area was officially incorporated. After founding the town, Scholastique remarried. She had two more children with her second husband.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.7 sqmi, of which 6.6 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi is water.

Demographics

According to the 2020 United States census, there were 7,513 people, 2,944 households, and 2,171 families residing in the city. As of the 2010 United States census, there were 8,139 people living in the city; 50.0% were White, 47.3% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.4% from some other race and 1.3% from two or more races. 1.3% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,281 people, 2,512 households, and 1,821 families living in the city. The population density was 1,111.7 PD/sqmi. There were 2,740 housing units at an average density of 418.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 49.84% White, 48.66% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.27% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.65% of the population. Of the population over the age of five, 68.3% spoke English at home, 28.3% spoke French, 1.7% spoke Spanish, and 1.6% spoke Louisiana Creole French.

There were 2,512 households, out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 24.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.1% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,102, and the median income for a family was $31,570. Males had a median income of $30,880 versus $17,819 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,536. About 26.8% of families and 30.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.0% of those under age 18 and 25.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Public schools in St. Martin Parish are operated by the St. Martin Parish School Board. The city of Breaux Bridge is zoned to Breaux Bridge Primary School (Grades PK-2), Breaux Bridge Elementary (Grades 3-5), Breaux Bridge Junior High School (Grades 6-8), and Breaux Bridge High School (Grades 9-12).

Private schools include St. Bernard Elementary (Grades PreK-8) and Louisiana Christian School (Grades PreK-12).

Notable people

 * Scott Angelle, former interim Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana (2010) and member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission from District 2, son of J. Burton Angelle
 * Ryan Broussard, actor known for Alert: Missing Persons Unit
 * Lottie Beebe, superintendent of St. Martin Parish public schools; member of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, resides in Breaux Bridge
 * Paula Davis, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for District 69 in East Baton Rouge Parish; native of Breaux Bridge
 * Jake Delhomme, former quarterback for the NFL's Houston Texans, Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints
 * Sonny Landreth, blues guitarist
 * Hunter Hayes, singer-songwriter, record producer
 * Mike "Pete" Huval, state representative; former member of the St. Martin Parish Council, insurance agent
 * Jules Jeanmard, Roman Catholic bishop
 * Ali Landry, Miss Louisiana Teen USA 1990, Miss Louisiana USA 1996, Miss USA 1996, and actress and model
 * Branford Marsalis, jazz musician and former band leader for The Tonight Show
 * Fred H. Mills, Jr., state senator and president of Farmers-Merchants Bank and Trust Co. in Breaux Bridge
 * Domanick Williams, former running back for the Houston Texans, 2003 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year

title: Breaux Bridge, Louisiana


text:
Cecilia, Louisiana

Cecilia is a census-designated place (CDP) in St. Martin Parish, in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The community lies within the region of Acadiana, and the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area. It had a population of 1,505 at the 2000 U.S. census, estimated to have grown to 1,917 in 2019 at the American Community Survey's 5-year estimates.

History
Cecilia sits on land that was historically inhabited by the Atakapa Tribe. The Atakapa lived in what is now Southwest Louisiana and Texas, and had a trading post at St. Martinville, before French settlers took over the land.

Cecilia was originally known by the Spanish as La Punta. It was translated by the French into La Grande Pointe, a name that was used by many people until contemporary times when it was then called Cecilia, named after the first postal clerk.

Pierre Guidry, the first settler of Cecilia, acquired three tracts of land from Mrs. Joseph Alexander Declouet in 1791. Joseph Angelle settled nearby soon after.

Both men apparently settled on lands that had been given to Declouet by a Spanish land grant dated May 16, 1772, that included some 2600 acre of land.

During the American Civil War, the settlement was also known as La Place. This name was dropped when postal authorities began to confuse it with the LaPlace in St. John the Baptist Parish.

Cecilia is the birthplace of several Louisiana political figures: state Representative and House Speaker Robert Joseph "Bob" Angelle (1896–1979), former Secretary of State of Louisiana and Lieutenant Governor Paul J. Hardy (born 1942), and former state Representatives J. Burton Angelle and Jesse J. Guidry, who became secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; Angelle from 1972 to 1980 and 1984 to 1988 and Guidry from 1981 to 1984. Former National Football League player Ramsey Dardar was also born in Cecilia.

Cecilia is the burial site of Louis Hebert, a Confederate general. On April 19, 1964, dedication ceremonies were held in a grove of live oaks on the banks of Bayou Teche about three miles (5 km) from Cecilia on Highway 328 to mark Hebert's grave. The marker reads as follows: "Approximately 100 yd to the west is the probable resting place of General Louis Hebert, C. S. A. Born in Iberville Parish in 1820, Hebert graduated from West Point in 1845 third in his class. After an army service of two years, he resigned to manage his family's sugar interests. Before the war he was a member of the State Senate and Chief Engineer of Louisiana. He fought at Wilson's Creek, Elkhorn, Corinth, Vicksburg, and Port Fisher. He was an editor and teacher in Iberville and St. Martin parishes and lived until 1901." General Hebert taught at Huron Plantation near Cecilia and tutored children of Vincent Barras in St. Martinville.

Cecilia became one of the last remaining strongholds of the Cajun French language in Louisiana and 42.60% of the total population used the language for daily communication, including 20.25% of the children according to a study in 2013.

Geography
Cecilia is located at 30.33639°N, -91.84778°W (30.336379, -91.847867), in south central Louisiana; it lies within Acadiana, and the Lafayette metropolitan area. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.1 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
Cecilia has experienced relative population growth in St. Martin Parish. From the 2000 United States census, its population was 1,505; at the 2010 U.S. census, its population was 1,980. In 2019, the American Community Survey estimated that 1,917 people lived in the census-designated place. Among its population at the 2019 American Community Survey's 5 year estimates program, there were 955 males and 962 females living in the community; for every 100 females, there was an average of 99.3 males. The median age of the population was 34.2, with the majority being from 16 to 21 years and older.

The racial and ethnic makeup of Cecilia was 61.1% non-Hispanic white and 38.9% Black and African American in 2019. In 2000, its racial and ethnic makeup was 57.34% White American, 41.53% Black and African American, 0.53% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian alone, 0.27% from two or more races, and 1.6% Hispanic or Latin American of any race.

Spread throughout the total area of Cecilia, there were 471 family households, 116 other family households, and 229 non-family households. Approximately 27 households were male with no spouse present, and 89 female with no spouse present. Of the 825 housing units in the community, 700 were occupied; 467 were 1-unit detached homes, and 358 were mobile homes. An estimated 24.1% were renter-occupied, and 75.9% were owner-occupied units. The average household size of owner-occupied units was 2.95, and renter-occupied units had an average of 2.08 people. Home-owners had a median mortgage of $1,078 versus $344 without a mortgage; the median gross rent was $830. The median income for a household in 2019 was $49,063, and males had a median income of $52,439 versus $25,987 for females. About 18.3% of the CDP's population lived at or below the poverty line, down from 31.4% at the 2000 United States census.

Education
Public schools in St. Martin Parish are operated by the St. Martin Parish School Board. The community of Cecilia is zoned to Cecilia Primary School (Grades PK-2), Teche Elementary School (Grades 3-5), Cecilia Junior High School (Grades 6-8), and Cecilia High School (Grades 9-12).

title: Cecilia, Louisiana


text:
Henderson, Louisiana

Henderson is a town in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, United States. Part of the Lafayette metropolitan area, its population was 1,617 at the 2020 U.S. census. Home to Cajun Palms RV Resort, it was rated in 2017 as the best campsite in Louisiana in a 50-state survey conducted by Msn.com.

Traffic fines
The town collects 89% of its general revenue through traffic fines.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.7 sqmi, of which 1.6 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi (2.89%) is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,617 people, 628 households, and 489 families residing in the town. In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $21,295, and the median income for a family was $22,891. Males had a median income of $24,265 versus $17,583 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,907. About 24.2% of families and 29.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 44.7% of those under age 18 and 25.6% of those age 65 or over. At the 2019 American Community Survey, the median income for a household was $52,391 and the mean income was $32,973.

Henderson relies particularly heavily on fines and forfeits to pay for basic services. In 2013, Henderson collected $3.73 in fines and forfeits for every $1 it collected in taxes.

Education
Public schools in St. Martin Parish are operated by the St. Martin Parish School Board.

title: Henderson, Louisiana


text:
Parks, Louisiana

Parks is a village in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 653 at the 2010 census, and 696 at the 2020 population estimates program. It is part of the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area.

History
The exact origin of the name "Parks" is somewhat of a mystery. Although some residents seem to think that it had something to do with the railroad, one story states the first train to pass through the community arrived on Easter Sunday. When the train engineer, who apparently did not speak or understand French, inquired about the name of the settlement, the residents replied "C'est Pacques" (it's Easter). The train engineer thought he understood the word Parks, and the name apparently stuck.

Parks, originally called Potier, lies in the area previously known as La Pointe District, which existed in 1765. It was also called La Pointe de Repose, supposedly because the cowhands in the early 19th century drove their cattle into the cul-de-sac formed by the sharp bend of the bayou on round up time.

Settlement began in the Parks village shortly after 1900. Around that time, Paul Melancon purchased a large tract of land in the vicinity of what is now Parks in order to establish a cotton farm. But, shortly after buying the property, he decided to divide a portion into town lots and the community took shape. In 1908, the village of 330 acres was incorporated. Since that time, Parks has remained approximately the same size.

Geography
Parks is located at 30.21556°N, -91.82944°W (30.215675, -91.829472), in the region of Acadiana in southern Louisiana. Highways 31 and 347, which both parallel the Bayou Teche, pass through the village with the cities of Breaux Bridge being located 7 mi northwest and St. Martinville, the parish seat, located 7 mi to the south. According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.8 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
At the 2020 population estimates program, 696 people lived in the village. The 2019 American Community Survey estimated 57.0% of its population were non-Hispanic white, 42.1% Black and African American, and 0.9% multiracial. The median household income was $45,568 and 10.2% of the population lived at or below the poverty line.

At the 2000 United States census, there were 533 people, 207 households, and 150 families residing in the village. The population density was 677.6 PD/sqmi. There were 240 housing units at an average density of 305.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 51.97% White, 47.47% African American, 0.38% Native American, and 0.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latin Americans of any race were 1.13% of the population.

There were 207 households, out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 22.0% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $33,958, and the median income for a family was $36,042. Males had a median

income of $30,909 versus $22,500 for females. The per capita income for the village was $16,191. About 13.1% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6% of those under age 18 and 18.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Public schools in St. Martin Parish are operated by the St. Martin Parish School Board. The village of Parks is zoned to Parks Primary School (Grades PK-4), Parks Middle School (Grades 5-8), and Breaux Bridge High School or St. Martinville High School (Grades 9-12).

Notable people

 * Fred Mills, Republican member of the Louisiana State Senate

title: Parks, Louisiana


text:
St. Martinville, Louisiana

St. Martinville (Saint-Martin) is a city in and the parish seat of St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, United States. It lies on Bayou Teche, 13 mi south of Breaux Bridge, 16 mi southeast of Lafayette, and 9 mi north of New Iberia. The population was 6,114 at the 2010 U.S. census, and 5,379 at the 2020 United States census. It is part of the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area.

History
In the 16th century, the area between the Atchafalaya River, in Louisiana, the Gulf of Mexico and Trinity River, in Texas, was occupied by numerous tribes or subdivisions of the Attakapan people. The territory was not closed to outsiders, and several traders roamed through it on business.

Europeans did not begin to settle there until French explorers claimed and founded the colony of Louisiana in 1699. They referred to the territory between the Atchafalaya River and Bayou Nezpique, where the Eastern Atakapa lived, as the Attakapas Territory, adopting the name from the Choctaw language term for this people. The French colonial government gave land away to French soldiers and settlers.

Poste des Atakapas (Attakapas Post) was founded as a trading post on the banks of the Bayou Teche, and settlers started to arrive. Some came separately from France, such as M. Masse, who came about 1754 from Grenoble. Gabriel Fuselier de la Claire, a Frenchman from Lyon, and some other Frenchmen from Mobile, in present-day Alabama, arrived in late 1763 or early 1764. Fuselier bought land between Vermilion River and Bayou Teche from the Eastern Attakapas chief Kinemo. Shortly after that, the rival Appalousa (Opelousas) invaded the area via the Atchafalaya and Sabine rivers, and exterminated much of the Eastern Atakapan. Gabriel Fuselier's son Agricole Fuselier was prominent in settling what developed as New Iberia, Louisiana.

Gradually groups of more French speakers arrived, such as the first Acadians from Nova Scotia. They were assigned to this area in 1765 by Jean-Jacques Blaise d'Abbadie, the French official who was administering Louisiana for the Spanish. They had been expelled from Acadia by the British, who had defeated France in the Seven Years' War and taken over its territories in North America east of the Mississippi River. Spain took over Louisiana and other territories west of the Mississippi but tended to rely on French colonists to administer La Louisiane.

The Acadians were led by Joseph Broussard. In 1768-1769, fifteen families arrived from Pointe Coupee, another French colonial community. Their members had migrated from Saint-Domingue (now Haïti) or from Paris via Fort de Chartres, in present-day Illinois. Between the arrivals of the two groups, the French captain Étienne de Vaugine came in 1764 and acquired a large domain east of Bayou Teche.

On April 25, 1766, after the arrival of the first Acadians, the census showed a population of 409 inhabitants for the Attakapas region. In 1767, the Attakapas Post had 150 inhabitants before the arrival of the 15 families from Pointe Coupee.

In 1803, after losing his effort to regain control over Saint-Domingue during its slave revolt, Napoleon sold Louisiana in 1803 to the United States through the Louisiana Purchase. The U.S. settlers and territorial government organized the Attakapas Territory between 1807 and 1868. After Louisiana became a state, Saint Martin Parish was created. Attakapas Post was renamed as Saint Martinville and designated as the parish seat.

In 1867, Governor Benjamin Flanders appointed Monroe Baker as mayor who was one of the earliest if not the first African-American mayor to serve in the United States.

Geography
St. Martinville is located at 30.125°N, -91.83056°W (30.125053, -91.830593), in Acadiana. The city is part of the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.0 square miles (7.8 km2), of which 3.0 square miles (7.8 km2) is land and 0.33% is water. Its terrain is mixture of swamp and prairie.

Demographics
At the 2020 United States census, there were 5,379 people, 2,567 households, and 1,366 families residing in the city. At the 2010 United States census, there were 6,114 people, 2,320 households, and 1,533 families residing in the city.

According to the 2019 American Community Survey, the racial and ethnic makeup was 63.0% Black and African American, 32.8% non-Hispanic white, 0.4% Asian, 2.3% two or more races, and 1.5% Hispanic and Latin American of any race. In 2010, the racial makeup of the city was 35.3% White, 62.7% Black and African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races; Hispanic or Latin Americans of any race were 1.4% of the population. In 2005, 81.1% of the population over the age of five spoke only English at home, 15.9% of the population spoke French, and 2.7% spoke Louisiana Creole French.

At the 2010 U.S. census, there were 2,320 households, out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.5% were married couples living together, 28.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 28.7% 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 2.52 and the average family size was 3.13. In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.9% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 20 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.7 males. By the 2019 census estimates, the population was spread throughout 3,120 housing units and the median age was 47.5; 5.6% of the population were aged 5 and under, and 79.6% were aged 18 and older; 22.4% were aged 65 and older.

In 2019, the median household income was $25,520 and 28.2% of its population lived at or below the poverty line. Males had a median income of $30,505 versus $27,167 for females. In 2010, the median income for a household in the city was $24,246 and the median income for a family was $33,009. Males had a median income of $30,710 versus $33,455 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,835. About 24.6% of families and 29.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 50.2% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
The economy of St. Martinville is fueled by agriculture and tourism. Agricultural production mainly yields crops of crawfish and sugar cane. The latter was a major commodity crop before the American Civil War, when it was dependent on enslaved labor. It has continued to be important.

Education
Public schools in St. Martin Parish are operated by the St. Martin Parish School Board. The city of St. Martinville is zoned to the Early Learning Center (Grades PK-1), St. Martinville Primary School (Grades 1-5), St. Martinville Junior High School (Grades 6-8) and St. Martinville Senior High School (Grades 9-12). The Evangeline campus of Louisiana Technical College is located in St. Martinville.

Culture and arts
St. Martinville is widely considered an important site in the development of Cajun culture, and it is in the heart of Cajun Country. A multicultural community in St. Martinville, with Acadians and Cajuns, Creoles (French coming via the French West Islands - Guadeloupe, Martinique and Santo Domingo), French, Spaniards and Africans. Once New Orleans was founded and began to have epidemics, some New Orleanians escaped the city and came to St. Martinville. Its nickname, Petit Paris ("Little Paris"), dates from the era when St. Martinville was known as a cultural mecca with good hotels and a French theater, the Duchamp Opera House (founded in 1830), which featured the best operas and witty comedies.

The third oldest town in Louisiana, St. Martinville has many buildings and homes with historic architecture. The historic St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church and La Maison Duchamp on Main Street are part of the legacy of the Acadian people. The church was dedicated to Martin of Tours in France, where a St Martin de Tours church can be found. St. Martinville is the site of the "Evangeline Oak", featured in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem about the Acadian expulsion.

The city houses an African American Museum and is a posted destination on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail, which was established in 2008.

St. Martinville is the setting of the 2013 film, Christmas on the Bayou, starring Hilarie Burton as Katherine, a divorced mother and business executive, with Tyler Hilton as Caleb, Katherine's former childhood companion. In the story line, Katherine rekindles romance and discovers where she truly belongs after she comes to St. Martinville to spend Christmas with her mother Lilly (Markie Post), and son Zack (Brody Rose). Randy Travis and Ed Asner are cast, respectively, as Mr. Greenhall and Papa Noel (the bayou Santa Claus).

Notable people

 * Clementine Barnabet, serial killer and mass murderer
 * Calvin Borel, jockey, three-time Kentucky Derby winner.
 * Jefferson J. DeBlanc, World War II ace fighter pilot and Medal of Honor recipient. Resided in St. Martinville and is buried in the town's Catholic cemetery.
 * Early Doucet, wide receiver for the LSU Fighting Tigers (2004–2008) and the Arizona Cardinals (2008–2012).
 * Willie Francis, survived the electric chair at age 17.
 * Beverly Guirard, microbiologist, expert on vitamin B6
 * Paul Jude Hardy, first Republican to be elected Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana (1988–1992).
 * Jay Hebert, professional golfer, 1960 PGA Championship winner.
 * Jeff Landry, Republican congressman for the Third Congressional District (2011–2013), Attorney General of Louisiana (2016–2024), current Governor of Louisiana
 * Darrel Mitchell, professional basketball player.
 * Fred H. Mills, Jr., Republican state representative for St. Martin Parish.
 * James C. Thibodeaux (1911—2004), African-American photographer painter, stage actor, and educator; born in St. Martinville.
 * David Turpeau, minister and state legislator in Ohio
 * Nathan Williams, zydeco accordionist and singer.

Sister cities

 * Ploermel, Brittany, France
 * Bouctouche, New Brunswick, Canada
 * Chaudfontaine, Wallonia, Belgium
 * Goree Island, Senegal, West Africa

title: St. Martinville, Louisiana


text:
Amelia, Louisiana

Amelia is a census-designated place (CDP) in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 2,459 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The first postmaster named the town after Amelia Dupuis, his fiancée, who died shortly before their wedding day.

Geography
Amelia is located at 29.67333°N, -91.10306°W (29.673361, -91.103181).

On the eastern side of Amelia over Bayou Boeuf is the Assumption Parish line and the unincorporated community of Boeuf, Louisiana. Morgan City is located 8 mi to the west.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 7.3 km2, of which 6.7 km2 is land and 0.7 km2, or 9.12%, is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,132 people, 904 households, and 522 families residing in the CDP.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,423 people, 766 households, and 549 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 922.3 PD/sqmi. There were 942 housing units at an average density of 358.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 58.69% White, 12.38% African American, 0.66% Native American, 22.70% Asian, 4.25% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.17% of the population.

There were 766 households, out of which 38.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.3% were non-families. 20.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.07 and the average family size was 3.60.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 31.6% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 6.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 123.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 129.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $26,953, and the median income for a family was $29,063. Males had a median income of $30,313 versus $16,917 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $9,483. About 29.6% of families and 32.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.9% of those under age 18 and 39.9% of those age 65 or over.

title: Amelia, Louisiana


text:
Baldwin, Louisiana

Baldwin is a town in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 2,436 at the 2010 census, down from 2,497 in 2000. It is part of the Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area.

The community was named for John Baldwin, the Ohio educator who founded what would later become Baldwin-Wallace University. In 1867, Baldwin purchased the Darby plantation in Louisiana, a plantation of about 1700 acre. His residence there, Darby House, remained in his family until 1937 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Louisiana physician and politician Alvan Lafargue practiced in Baldwin, his wife's hometown, prior to 1915.

Geography
Baldwin is located at 29.83611°N, -91.54889°W (29.836039, -91.548799).

Louisiana Highway 182, which passes throughout the entire town, travels 9 miles (14 km) northwest to Jeanerette and 5 miles (8 km) southeast to Franklin, the St. Mary Parish seat. Louisiana Highway 83, which intersects with LA-182, travels southwest from Baldwin to the unincorporated communities of Louisa, Glencoe, and Four Corners and heads back northwest to intersect with Louisiana Highway 14 in New Iberia.

Cypremort Point State Park is located 22 miles (35 km) southwest of Baldwin.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 8.3 km2, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,762 people, 804 households, and 447 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,497 people, 777 households, and 607 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,328.6 PD/sqmi. There were 822 housing units at an average density of 766.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 32.16% White, 64.52% African American, 1.00% Native American, 0.84% Asian, 0.80% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.48% of the population.

There were 777 households, out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 25.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.8% were non-families. 18.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.99 and the average family size was 3.41.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 30.1% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $23,272, and the median income for a family was $25,606. Males had a median income of $28,938 versus $16,494 for females. The per capita income for the town was $10,118. About 28.1% of families and 31.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.3% of those under age 18 and 22.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education
St. Mary Parish School Board operates public schools.

West St. Mary High School is near Baldwin.

title: Baldwin, Louisiana


text:
Bayou Vista, Louisiana

Bayou Vista is a census-designated place (CDP) in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 4,652 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Bayou Vista is located at 29.69056°N, -91.26917°W (29.690521, -91.269048).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 5.0 km2, of which 4.7 km2 is land and 0.4 km2, or 7.52%, is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,213 people, 1,859 households, and 1,030 families residing in the CDP.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,351 people, 1,606 households, and 1,178 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,452.0 PD/sqmi. There were 1,762 housing units at an average density of 993.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.89% White, 3.63% African American, 1.03% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.36% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.55% of the population.

There were 1,606 households, out of which 38.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% were non-families. 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.5% 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 3.17.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 29.5% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $30,234, and the median income for a family was $34,526. Males had a median income of $32,066 versus $21,645 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $14,516. About 15.1% of families and 18.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 23.0% of those age 65 or over.

title: Bayou Vista, Louisiana


text:
Berwick, Louisiana

Berwick is a town in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 4,946 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The first white settler to trek through the wilderness in this area was Thomas Berwick. He settled along the banks of the Atchafalaya River in the late 18th century. Today the town of Berwick is home to several seafood processing plants and numerous boat companies.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 15.7 km2, of which 15.3 km2 is land and 0.4 km2, or 2.84%, is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,771 people, 1,665 households, and 1,016 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,418 people, 1,655 households, and 1,193 families residing in the town. The population density was 741.3 PD/sqmi. There were 1,825 housing units at an average density of 306.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 86.65% White, 8.26% African American, 0.70% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.54% from other races, and 3.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.45% of the population.

There were 1,655 households, out of which 40.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.7% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,208, and the median income for a family was $40,297. Males had a median income of $33,413 versus $21,620 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,099. About 12.1% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 18.6% of those age 65 or over.

Notable People
Jenny Craig, weight loss guru and founder of Jenny Craig, Inc., is originally from Berwick.

Education
St. Mary Parish School Board operates public schools:
 * Berwick High School
 * Berwick Junior High School
 * Berwick Elementary School

Media

 * KBZE FM urban radio station

title: Berwick, Louisiana


text:
Charenton, Louisiana

Charenton (historically Lieu-des-Chetimachas ) is a census-designated place (CDP) in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,903 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area. According to legend, the community received its name from one of the earliest settlers of the region, Alexandre Frere. Frere, a native of Paris, reportedly exclaimed on his deathbed that "anyone choosing to move to that part of Louisiana belonged in Charenton!" Charenton was the name of a notorious insane asylum outside of Paris.

History
Charenton is home to one community of Chitimacha Indians. In 1855, the Chitimacha were seriously reduced by yellow fever that struck the Region. In 1881, the Chitimacha were located on Grand Lake or Lake Fausse. The census of 1900 listed six families of Chitimacha, with a total of 55 people. During this period, the Chitimacha's land base had continued to decline as reservation land was divided again and again among members unable to pay the annual taxes. As a result, the land was sold. A court divided the last 505 acre of the reservation in 1903, but attorney's fees claimed 280 acre of it two years later. Answering a plea from the Chitimacha women, Miss Sarah Avery McIlhenney purchased the land at a sheriff's sale in 1915 and immediately ceded it to the federal government who in turn placed the land in trust for the tribe. Federal recognition followed in 1917, and the Chitimacha became the only tribe in Louisiana to achieve such status. This new recognition and the land held in trust could not have come at a better time. World War I and the pressure it placed on oil companies led to exploration in the region and purchase of land there.

With their land secure, many Chitimacha found employment in the new Louisiana oil fields as drillers and foremen. Following the passage of the Indian Reorganization Act in 1934, the Chitimacha created a new tribal organization. Unfortunately, their small enrollment and success in finding work outside their reservation led to an attempt by the government to terminate their federal status in 1952. This move was ultimately defeated, and the Chitimacha, growing in number and organization, put into effect a constitution and bylaws in 1971 that remain in effect today.

The Chitimacha operate a museum, fish processing plant and school on the reservation. In addition, what began as a bingo operation grew into a lucrative casino that operates on the tribe's land in Charenton. Revenue from the Cypress Bayou casino has provided the Chitimacha with funds used to recover land historically part of the reservation. Consequently, land that had dwindled to just 260 acre has now swelled to over a thousand acres (4 km$2$). The Chitimacha are an important part of Charenton's history as well as a major part of the current community.

Geography
Charenton is located at 29.88374°N, -91.52716°W (29.88436373442272,-91.5274459771368).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 13.5 km2, of which 12.9 km2 is land and 0.6 km2, or 4.79%, is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,699 people, 665 households, and 414 families residing in the CDP.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,944 people, 677 households, and 492 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 334.3 PD/sqmi. There were 738 housing units at an average density of 126.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 45.68% White, 36.21% African American, 16.36% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.18% of the population.

There were 677 households, out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.42.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 30.7% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $27,837, and the median income for a family was $32,426. Males had a median income of $33,235 versus $20,517 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $12,828. About 26.8% of families and 27.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.1% of those under age 18 and 22.6% of those age 65 or o

Education
The Chitimacha Tribal School, a K-8 school, is affiliated with the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). It is in Charenton.

In 1937 a two classroom public school building condemned by the St. Mary Parish School Board was moved to Charenton, and began serving the community as a 1-8 school; the student population went over 60. In 1968 the kindergarten was established. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) built a new school, which began operations in 1978, to replace the former facility. It had 38 in the 1978-1979 school year, but this went down to 29 in 1980-1981 and 22 in 1981-1982. In 1982 it got a funding cut due to Reaganomics, which led to fears that the school could close.

St. Mary Parish School Board operates local public schools.

title: Charenton, Louisiana


text:
Franklin, Louisiana

Franklin is a small city in and the parish seat of St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 7,660 at the 2010 census. The city is located on Bayou Teche, southeast of the cities of Lafayette, 47 mi and New Iberia, 28 mi, and 22 mi northwest of Morgan City. It is part of the Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area and the larger Lafayette-Acadiana combined statistical area.

History
Franklin, named for Benjamin Franklin, was founded in 1808 as the "Carlin's Settlement" by French-born pioneer Joseph Carlin and his family. It became the parish seat in 1811 and the town was incorporated in 1820. Though early settlers included French, Acadian, German, Danish and Irish, the town's culture and architecture is heavily influenced by the unusually large numbers of English that chose to settle there after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

Numerous large sugar plantations arose in the area, and with the development of steam-boating, Franklin became an interior sugar port. With the later advent of the railroad, it became a sawmill town.

Franklin's First United Methodist Church was established in 1806, making it the first Protestant church established in the state of Louisiana.

Sugar plantations
By the 1830s, Bayou Teche was the main street of Acadiana, with one plantation after another. The area's sugar cane planters were among the South's wealthiest agriculturists. This is reflected in the grand plantation homes and mansions they built in Franklin and the surrounding countryside. Most of these magnificent structures are still standing and well preserved, giving Franklin its unique architectural flavor.

Franklin's Historic District is listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and encompasses over 420 notable structures. Some of the historic plantations in Franklin listed in the NRHP include the Alice C. Plantation House, Arlington Plantation House, and the Dixie Plantation House.

Civil War
During the Civil War, the Battle of Irish Bend, also known as Nerson's Woods, was fought near Franklin on April 14, 1863. Though eventually forced to retreat, the badly outnumbered Confederate forces commanded by General Richard Taylor cost the Union troops, under General Cuvier Grover, significant losses. Four hundred men were killed or wounded in the confrontation, including Confederate Colonel James Reily, a factor in halting the Union drive to invade Texas.

Geography
Franklin is located at 29.79167°N, -91.50833°W (29.791759, -91.508253) and has an elevation of 10 ft.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 27.2 km2, of which 25.7 km2 is land and 1.5 km2, or 5.44%, is water.

Louisiana Highways 182, which runs through downtown, and 87, which is located on the outskirts of Franklin, both head north passing through the communities of Baldwin, 8 mi, Jeanerette, 14 mi, and New Iberia, 25 mi, both located in Iberia Parish. Both LA-182 and U.S. Highway 90 both head to northwest to Lafayette, 47 mi, and southeast to Morgan City, 26 mi.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 6,728 people, 2,743 households, and 1,466 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,354 people, 3,026 households, and 2,181 families residing in the city. The population density was 806.5 PD/sqmi. There were 3,352 housing units at an average density of 323.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 47.47% White, 50.00% African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.30% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.79% of the population.

There were 3,026 households, out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 22.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.4% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years, more than a year older than the statewide median age of 34.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,844, and the median income for a family was $30,625. Males had a median income of $32,188 versus $16,935 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,943. About 24.5% of families and 27.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.6% of those under age 18 and 15.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education
St. Mary Parish School Board operates public schools:

Elementary schools:
 * W. P. Foster Elementary School
 * LaGrange Elementary School

Secondary schools:
 * Franklin Junior High School
 * Franklin Senior High School

Not Operated by St. Mary Parish School Board:

Private schools:
 * St. John Elementary School
 * Hanson Memorial High School

Actors

 * Ned Romero, actor
 * Jerome Bonaparte "Black Jack" Ward, actor who appeared in over 140 cowboy movies from 1927 to 1946.

Politicians and civil service

 * C. C. Aycock, the only three-term Lieutenant governor in modern Louisiana history; former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives
 * Joshua Baker, Governor of Louisiana 1868
 * Carl W. Bauer, Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1967 to 1972 and of the Louisiana State Senate from 1972 to 1976
 * Ralph Norman Bauer, Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1940 to 1948; leader of the impeachment forces in 1929 against Governor Huey Pierce Long, Jr.
 * Donelson Caffery, Louisiana State Senator, United States Senator, lieutenant in the Confederate Army
 * Patrick T. Caffery, Louisiana State Representative and United States Representative grandson of Donelson Caffery
 * Murphy J. Foster, Governor of Louisiana from 1892 to 1900, also a U.S. Senator
 * Murphy J. Foster, Jr., Governor of Louisiana from 1996 to 2004; former member of the Louisiana State Senate
 * Henry Johnson, Governor of Louisiana from 1824 to 1828, also District Judge for St. Mary Parish 1811
 * Alexander Porter (June 24, 1785 – January 13, 1844) was an attorney, politician, and planter in St. Mary Parish who served as U.S. Senator from 1833 to 1837. He had served a term in the Louisiana House from 1816 to 1818, and on the Louisiana Supreme Court from 1821 to 1833. He built Oaklawn Manor.
 * Gaston J. Sigur, Jr., Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs under the Reagan Administration

Sports

 * Wallace Francis, football player, wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills and the Atlanta Falcons
 * Ernie Ladd, football player for Grambling University under Eddie Robinson, professional career San Diego Chargers, Houston Oilers and Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs (1970); professional wrestler known as "The Big Cat"
 * Leonard Marshall, football player for the New York Giants
 * Warren Wells, Pro football player for the Detroit Lions and Oakland Raiders
 * John Porche, athletic trainer for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, inducted into the UL Athletics Hall of Fame for Administration in 2017

Filmography
Movies filmed in Franklin, Louisiana include:
 * Easy Rider (1969)
 * The Drowning Pool (1975)
 * All the King's Men (2006)

title: Franklin, Louisiana


text:
Morgan City, Louisiana

Morgan City is a small city in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States, located in the Acadiana region. The population was 11,472 at the 2020 census. Known for being "right in the middle of everywhere", Morgan City is located 68 mi southeast of Lafayette, 64 mi south of Baton Rouge, and 86 mi west of New Orleans.

Morgan City sits on the banks of the Atchafalaya River. The town was originally named "Tiger Island" by surveyors appointed by U.S. Secretary of War John Calhoun, because of a particular type of wild cat seen in the area. It was later changed for a time to "Brashear City", named after Walter Brashear, a prominent Kentucky physician who had purchased large tracts of land and acquired numerous sugar mills in the area. It was incorporated in 1860.

Morgan City, and all of St. Mary Parish, is included in the Lafayette-Opelousas-Morgan City CSA.

Capture of Brashear City
During the American Civil War, the Star Fort of Fort Brashear was the larger of two works erected by the Union Army occupying the city to defend a Federal military depot and the town. During the Bayou Teche Campaign, on the night of June 22, 1863, 325 Confederates of Gen. A. A. Mouton's command, led by Major Sherod Hunter, landed their skiffs and flats in the rear of the town. Attacking the next day, they surprised and captured the city, taking 1,300 Union prisoners, 11 heavy siege guns, 2,500 stands of rifles, immense quantities of quartermaster, commissary and ordnance stores. They also captured 2,000 African Americans, between 200 and 300 wagons and tents, all while suffering losses of only 3 killed, 18 wounded.

Morgan City
In 1876, the community's name was changed to Morgan City in tribute to Charles Morgan, a rail and steamship magnate who first dredged the Atchafalaya Bay Ship Channel to accommodate ocean-going vessels.

On September 11, 1961, an F2 tornado struck the city, causing heavy damage to the city and injuring 16 people.

On October 28, 1985, Hurricane Juan (not to be confused with the 2003 storm of the same name) made landfall near Morgan City, flooding many parts of the city. The storm then looped offshore and came onshore again in Alabama.

On August 26, 1992, Hurricane Andrew came ashore 20 mi to the southwest of Morgan City. Andrew was the second most destructive hurricane in U.S. history, crossing Florida and then regaining strength in the Gulf of Mexico before it struck Louisiana.

In 2019, Morgan City and the surrounding area were selected as a setting for the paranormal-themed reality TV show Ghosts of Morgan City, broadcast on the Travel Channel. On July 13, 2019 Hurricane Barry made landfall west of Morgan City as a Category 1 Hurricane on the Saffir Simpson Scale.

Agricultural
A type of Blackberry deemed the Youngberry was developed by B.M. Young in 1905 in Morgan City, as a hybrid between a variety of blackberries. The Youngberry is a cross between Luther Burbank's Phenomenal Berry and the Austin-Mayes Dewberry, a trailing Blackberry. The Youngberry was introduced commercially in 1926 and quickly came to rival the Loganberry. The Youngberry had excellent qualities, such as taste and high yields and it soon replaced the Loganberry of California.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.1 km2, of which 15.5 km2 is land and 0.7 km2, or 4.03%, is water.

The northeastern border of Morgan City is at the lower St. Martin Parish line via Louisiana Highway 70.

U.S. Highway 90 (future Interstate 49) and Louisiana Highway 182 both pass through the city, both heading west 70 mi to Lafayette. U.S. 90 also heads east approximately 90 mi to New Orleans, while passing in between the cities of Houma, which is located approximately 40 mi southeast, and Thibodaux, which is located 32 mi northeast of Morgan City. U.S. 90 is a freeway between Morgan City and the Houma area with the route planned to become a section of future Interstate 49.

Morgan City is served by the Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport, a general aviation airfield located near the U.S. 90 four lane highway in nearby Patterson, Louisiana.

If the Mississippi River were to experience a major course change in the vicinity of the Old River Control Structure or Morganza Spillway, the main channel of the river would likely then enter the Gulf of Mexico near Morgan City instead of New Orleans.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 11,472 people, 4,732 households, and 2,492 families residing in the city. As of the census of 2000, there were 12,703 people, 5,037 households, and 3,394 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,166.5 PD/sqmi. There were 5,627 housing units at an average density of 959.7 /sqmi.

In 2000, the racial makeup of the city was 71.28% White, 23.90% African American, 0.91% American Indian, 1.02% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.18% from other races, and 1.69% from two or more races. Hispanic of any race were 3.37% of the population. By 2020, its racial and ethnic makeup was 57.88% non-Hispanic white, 21.88% African American, 0.91% Native American, 1.63% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 4.18% other or multiracial, and 13.51% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In 2000, there were 5,037 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 28.0% 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 2.48 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 23.3% 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 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,324, and the median income for a family was $36,196. Males had a median income of $31,712 versus $19,550 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,577. About 17.7% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.3% of those under age 18 and 17.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education
St. Mary Parish School Board operates public schools: Elementary schools:
 * Morgan City High School
 * Morgan City Junior High School
 * J. B. Maitland Elementary School
 * M. E. Norman Elementary School
 * M. D. Shannon Elementary School
 * Wyandotte Elementary School

There is a private Catholic Pre-k through grade 12 school, Central Catholic High School.

Notable people

 * Bill Burgo (1919–1988), baseball player
 * Carla Blanchard Dartez, former state representative
 * Mo B. Dick (Born Raymond E Poole, 1965), music producer
 * Eddie Dyer (1899–1964), Major League Baseball player, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher
 * Sid Gautreaux (1912–1980), baseball player
 * Anthony Guarisco, Jr. (born 1938), state senator from 1976 to 1988; lawyer and real estate businessman, now in Baton Rouge
 * Mark Hall (born 1965), football player
 * René Hall (1912–1988), session guitarist
 * Burt Lancon, figure skater in the 1984 Winter Olympics
 * Geronimo Pratt (1947–2011), Black Panther
 * Sam Seamans (born 1967), Reformed Episcopal Church Bishop, former Southern Baptist

title: Morgan City, Louisiana


text:
Patterson, Louisiana

Patterson is a city in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 6,112 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
During the early 19th century, a group of Pennsylvania Dutchmen boarded a sailing vessel in New Orleans and ventured into the Bayou Teche. One of them, Hans Knight, decided to settle his family in what is now Patterson. The community was originally called Dutch Settlement, Dutch Prairie, and Dutch Town.

In 1832, Captain John Patterson, a trader from Indiana, settled there. He built a store and became a prominent citizen. The town was renamed Pattersonville after the captain successfully moved the post office to Dutch Settlement.

In 1885, the All Saints Episcopal Church was completed. It was later moved to DeQuincy, Louisiana in the 1940s.

Pattersonville was incorporated in 1907 as the Town of Patterson.

Geography
Patterson is located at 29.6925°N, -91.30667°W (29.692466, -91.306569).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.5 sqkm, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,931 people, 2,217 households, and 1,235 families residing in the city.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 6,112 people residing in 2,291 households within the city of which 1,581 households were family units. 65.5% of all households were owner-occupied. The racial makeup of the city was 51.9% White, 44.3% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.6% Asian and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.0% of the population.

There were 2,291 households, out of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% were married couples living together, 18.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals living alone, and 7.7% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.16. In the city 27.0% of people were under the age of 18 and 11.5% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $48,706, and the median income for a family was $54,066. The median personal income was $27,417. Males had a median income of $47,687 versus $14,118 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,756. About 15.9% of families and 21.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.1% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over. In the city, 74.1% had graduated from high school, 10.5% had attained bachelor's degree or higher and 3.5% had attained a graduate or professional degree.

Government
Patterson uses a city council consisting of five council members. As of February 2020, the current mayor of Patterson is Rodney A. Grogan.

Education
It is served by the St. Mary Parish School Board. Schools in Patterson include Hattie A. Watts Elementary School, Patterson Junior High School, and Patterson High School.

Sports
Patterson has always been a dominant football team in the state of Louisiana, producing a couple of NFL players and many Division I college players. Though Patterson has only been to the championship twice, it is a traditional playoff team. Currently led by Head Coach Tommy Minton, the team has been more dominant recently. Patterson is also the home of LSU and New Orleans Saints running back Dalton Hilliard (in Saints Hall of Fame) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Ike Hilliard.

On January 15, 2009, Kenny Hilliard was named ESPN RISE Sophomore Player of the Year.

Notable people

 * Ralph Norman Bauer, Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1940 to 1948, was born in Patterson in 1899
 * Dalton Hilliard, running back for the New Orleans Saints
 * Ike Hilliard, wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
 * Gillis Wilson, defensive end for the Carolina Panthers

title: Patterson, Louisiana