Second Acadian Coast

Note: The church established in 1772 was named La Iglesia de la Ascension de Nostro Senor Jesu Cristo da Lafourche de los Chetimaches (the Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church of Lafourche of the Chitimaches). The church parish was also referred to as the Parish of Ascension of Valenzuela; the Parishof Valenzuela; and, Ascension de La Fourche

Ascension Parish

Note: The parish seat of the civil parish is Donaldsonville; the church parish is Ascension. Valenzuela was on Bayou Lafourche near the current city of Plattenville

at Quapaw Indians Village of Osotouy, near mouth of Arkansas River at Mississippi River. Moved several times because of flooding. Named Fort Carlos III under Spanish Rule. In 1862, the Confederates constructed a massive earthen fortification at the site known as Fort Hindman. The Union Army destroyed Fort Hindman in January 1863, ensuring control of the Arkansas River.

Assumption Parish Church and Civil Parish

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Assumption of the B.V.M.) was established in 1793. Located at 119 Highway 308. Also known as Parish of Assumption of Lafourche

Founded in 1779 by Galvez to settle a group of Canary Islanders. It never managed to have it's own church and was soon abandoned.

Mugulasha Indian village captured by Bayougoulas. In 1699 Bienville here found Tonti’s letter of 1686 to LaSalle. Father Paul Du Ru built first chapel in Louisiana near village in 1700

Bayougoula Village, 1713. Settled by Canadians and French; later by Germans, Acadians, Spaniards. Here in 1730 Governor Perrier organized expedition against Natchez Indians. Early cattle raising center. French records referred to area as Tabiscana

Audubon Park. This site 1781-1820 Plantation of Jean Etienne Boré (1741-1820) First Mayor of N.O. 1803-1804. Here Boré first granulated sugar in 1795. Purchased for park in 1871. Site of World’s Industrial and Cotton Exposition 1884-1885.

Named for Dr. Walter Brashear who was born in MD abt. 1776‚and died in Louisiana in 1860. Famed as surgeon in Kentucky, 1806. Settled Attakapas, LA, 1809. Became large landowner, sugar planter in St. Mary, serving many years in Louisiana Legislature. Town of Brashear, now Morgan City, incorporated 1860.

Early gateway from the Mississippi to Teche. Site of Tiger Island Plantation of Dr. Walter Brashear, 1860; renamed 1876, for Charles Morgan who made the port a leading steamboat, railroad hub.

Zone between les Chapitoulas & the Demeuves Concession 5 leagues above the New Orleans along the Mississippi River.

Cantrelle Parish [Parish of Cantrelle]

Note: The first church in the current parish of St. James was at the town of St. James on the West side of the Mississippi River. The church was later moved to Covent on the East side of the River.

Laid out by Charles Zimpel in 1833 on site of Macarty Plantation, formerly uppermost part of Bienville’s 1719 land grant. Jefferson Parish seat 1852-1874. Annexed 1874 by New Orleans. 1854 courthouse designed by Henry Howard

Note: Choupitoulas Indians - name meant "river people"

M. and Mme. LeBleu of Bordeaux, France were the first recorded Europeans to settle the area around 1781 [Note There is some confusion re Barthelemy LeBleu and Martin Camersac LeBleu who had natural children with Josette Lamirande who married Barthelemy LeBleu at Pointe Coupee in 1769]. The area they settled is now known as the LeBleu Settlement. Charles Sallier married LeBleu's daughter, Catherine. The Salliers built their home on the shell beach where Lake Charles now stands. Afterwards, the lake became known as "Charlie's lake". By 1860 this area was being called "Charles Town". Many of Charles Sallier's descendants are buied in Sallier Cemetery, near St. Patrick's Hospital.

The Rio Hondo, which flowed through Lake Charles, was later called Quelqueshue, an Indian term meaning "Crying Eagle", and still later, Calcasieu. On March 7, 1861, Lake Charles was incorporated as the town of Charleston, Louisiana. On March 16, 1867, Charleston, Louisiana, was incorporated into the town of Lake Charles

Jeanerette is named for its founder and first postmaster, John Jeanerette, who also operated a local tavern and store.

The Spanish established a fort across the Mississippi River from Natchez in 1768. It was abandoned in 1779 after Galvez captured Natchez. When Gayoso de Lemos was named Commandant of the district of Natchez, he built an elegant residence on his estate across the river and named it Concordia. The name was chosen to recognize the good relations that Gayoso had established with the anglo inhabitants in the Natchez District. In 1798, Jose Vidal, Commandant of Natchez obtained a land grant on the opposite side of the river from Natchez. The new Spanish Post was named Concordia because of the proximity to Gayoso's estate. A few years later, a new parochial parish was named Concordia and the fort was renamed Vidalia.

Côtes Gélees [frozen hills] - see below for reason for this name and also why sites on a prairie were called île, pointe and anse.  Area between present-day Pilette and Broussard.

In 1860, this was the site of several sugar plantations and a post office.  Actual location is not determined, but from an old map it appears to have been on the west side of Bayou LaFourche, in or near the present town of Bellerose, which is six "air" miles southwest of Donaldsonville.

Divisions of Colonial French and Spanish Louisiana

In 1721, French Colonial Louisiana was divided into nine districts: Alibamos, Mobile, Biloxi, New Orleans, Natchez, The Yazoo, Illinois, Arkansas and Natchitoches [which included Ayoyelles].

In 1769, O'Reilly abolished the old organizations and established a new political and military unit which he called the Province of Louisiana. The Province was divided into eleven districts with a Commandant who was usually taken from the army or the militia. The eleven districts [also called Posts] were: Illinois, Natchitoches, first half of the German Coast [parish of St. Charles]; second half of the German Coast [parish of St. John the Baptist], Pointe Coupee [including Avoyelles], Opelousas [included Attakapas], Iberville Coast, the Fourche of Chitimachas, Kabahan [Cabanocey], Rapides [in 1805, Avoyelles was combine with Rapides and became Rapides Country. In December 1807, the Avoyelles District of Rapides became Ayoyelles Parish] and St. Genevieve.

In 1763, The Mississippi Valley east of the river, except for New Orleans, was lost to England at the end of the French and Indian War. Galvez later recaptured Baton Rouge and the West Florida parishes. In 1803, under American Control, Louisiana was divided into the Orleans Territory and the District of Louisiana which later became all the states west of the Mississippi River. In 1805, the Orleans Territory was divided into 12 Counties [see map] and the Counties divided into Parishes in 1807. In 1812, the Orleans Territory became the State of Louisiana.

Dugasville - also see Picouville below

Location of Dugasville shown on a LOUISIANA "BAYOU TECHE GUNBOAT / PLANTATION / OBSTRUCTION" Map - The Bayou Teche of Louisiana was a major means of travel for both the Confederate Forces and Federal Forces during the Civil War. It was also the only means of travel for many Plantation owners.  This map was drawn by Captain E.B. Trinidad of the U.S. Mail Steamer "Warren Bell" in 1867 and identifies all of the gun-boat wrecks obstructing the Bayou Teche from the mouth of the Atchafalaya River to the town of St. Martinsville, LA. Boats such as the C.S. gun-boat "Hart", C.S. gun-boat "Cotton", and the infamous gun-boat "Diana" and many others are identified with their accurate location where they were sunk in the Bayou. Plantation bridges, Live Oak Trees, Steamboat Hulls, Sawmills, and many other features are also identified. This copy of the original map is 23"X36" in size and is invaluable to any researcher or relic hunter. Map is shipped rolled.

http://ancientgold.com/maps.html

Loreauville

Historical Marker - So named because in this bend, 1699, Bienville, coming downstream, met the British who had come up river to choose site for a settlement. Bienville convinced Captain Lewis Banks that the territory was in possession of the French. Early concessions were established in the vicinity

***
From The Second Voyage to the Mississippi, The Journal of the Renommee by Iberville

"...From Cape San Antonio I steered for the Biloxy Bay anchorage, at which I arrived on January 8, 1700, and moored it's two anchors in 21 feet of water.

"The 9th. In the morning M. De Sauvolle came aboard. I learned from him that the garrison was in good health, although four men had died, among them two Canadians, one buccaneer, and one enlisted man for La Rochelle.

"He told me that an English corvette of ten guns, commanded by Captain Louis Bance, had entered the Mississippi and gone 25 leagues upstream, where my brother, De Bienville, with five men in two bark canoes, had come across the corvette at anchor, awaiting favorable winds to go higher upstream. My brother sent two men to tell him to immediately leave the country, which was in the possession of the king, and that, if he did not leave, he would force him to. With this he complied after talking with my brother, whom he knew from having seen him with me at Hudson Bay, where I captured this captain.

Upper end of Fause Riviere, old Mississippi River bed. Resulted when the river followed the narrow stream over a neck of land (Pointe Coupee). Used in 1699 by Iberville and party to shorten their route up river. Nearby Fort St. Joseph established. c. 1718; St. Francis church, 1738.

Narrow stream over portage widened by Iberville and Bienville, 1699. Shortly after 1700 Mississippi River had formed point cut off, a crescent shaped land, Pointe Coupee.

Named for O.J. Flagg, 1870. Now a part of Hahnville. Letter left here by Tonti, 1686 with Quinipissa Chief for LaSalle. Taensa Village, 1713. De Meuve, French Concession, 1718. Site included grant to Joseph Roi de Villere, 1765.

Also known as Fort Iberville and Fort du Mississippi, this fort was located on the west bank of the Mississippi River.  It was built in 1700 as a 28' square blockhouse with a half dozen cannons.  Its strategic location helped the French hold this part of the river and thus the state.  In 1704 or so, it was abandoned.

near Myrtle Grove, LA

This old American military post was located on SH 23, and the west bank of the Mississippi River, 2.5 miles southeast of Triumph, about 70 miles southeast of New Orleans.  It was built in 1822-1832, and occupied in 1861 by the Confederate Army.  It is a large, star-shaped brick fort with a surrounding moat.  It was built to protect New Orleans, but on April 18, 1862, Admiral Farragut and his fleet of 43 boats, battled the fort for over a week.  New Orleans fell, the fort surrendered, and his forces occupied them.  Since 1961, Fort Jackson has been a National Historic Monument.

Name given to Baton Rouge by the British when gained control in 1763. The Spanish renamed it Fort San Carlos [St. Charles]  and it was the capital of the province of Western Florida.

Note: Baton Rouge [Red Stick] was the original name given by Lasalle

Port City on the Mississippi River about 60 miles S.W. of Vicksburg, and about 250 miles upriver from the mouth of the Mississippi River. It was settled by Bienville in 1716.

Located on the St. Joseph River; Est. 1691 by the French; after 1761, held by the British; captured by Native Americans in Pontiac's Rebellion in 1763, but was recaptured by the British; captured by the Spanish during the American Revolution; some moved to LA

See Fort New Richmond above

Fort St. Pierre

Fort St. Pierre Site is an archaeological site in Warren Co. MS, that was the location of a French fort during 1719-1729, center of a community named Yazoo Post. The site has additional importance for its use in dating other archaeological sites due to its integrity and brief period of use.

It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2000.

A quite extensive history of the site is available.

Other names for the site include: Fort St. Peter; Fort St. Claude des Yasous; Yazoo Post

Source: Wikipedia

See Location on Map of Colonial French Louisiana

Named in honor of Admiral Louis Alexandre de Bourbon, the Count of Toulouse who was the dominant member of the Council of Marine which performed the function of secretary or minister of the navy and of colonies from 1715 to 1718. He was the legitimized son of King Louis XIV and Madame de Montespan. Toulouse was one of the known provinces in southern France.

The fort was established to defend French Louisiana against the incursions of Georgians and Carolinians and their Indian allies. It was referred to as Fort or Post des Alibamons or simply as aux Alibamons.  It was later named Fort Jackson in honor of President Andrew Jackson.

The site of Fort Toulouse, established by the French in 1717, was near the junction of the Coosa River and the Tallapousa about 4 miles south of current-day Wetumpka, Alabama and 10 miles north of Montgomery, Alabama. In 1751, the site of the Fort was moved about 100 south of the original Fort Toulouse I. This site is known as Fort Toulouse II and it was designed by Francois Saucier in 1750. Fort Toulouse II was occupied by the French until 1763 when the territory east of the Mississippi River went to England. The soldiers and settlers from Fort Toulouse went to Mobile and then to Louisiana [most ended up in the Opelousas Post]

Old Spanish town at junction of Amite River and Bayou Manchac [aka Iberville River]. Settled by Anglo-Americans, 1776-78, seeking Spanish refuge during the American Revolution, and by Canary Islanders (Islenos). Named for Spanish Governor Bernardo de Galvez.

On August 19, 1779, Galvez officially recognized America's independence from England and decided to help the Americans. Between August 28 and September 10, men from Galveztown captured 7 British Ships and 110 prisoners on Bayou Manchac. Galvez went on to take Fort Bute on Bayou Manchac, the Fort at Baton Rouge, and finally the Fort at Mobile. This brought West Florida back under Spanish rule. He continued battling the British until he ultimately recaptured all of Florida.

On a side note, shortly after these battles on Bayou Manchac, Galveztown was abandoned and the settlers moved to Baton Rouge. The area they settled there became known as "Spanish Town" and is where the Pentagon Barracks now stand. Many moved back to the Galvez Town area after the West Florida Revolution of 1810 and were assimilated into the French culture.

Note: The current community of Galvez is not at the same location as Galveztown.  It is to the west of the original Galveztown

On Germantown Road, seven miles northeast of Minden.  This old German socialist-utopian colony was founded in 1835 and lasted for 37 years.  Three original buildings remain, and other buildings have been re-created.   According to the historical marker the community was active until 1971.

First and Second Acadian Coasts: St. James and Ascension Parishes along the Mississippi River.

Church: Ste-Famille
registers: marriages:1735-1839; burials:1784-1794; census:1735,1752,1787

Church: St. Anne
registers: 1720-1765 [births, marriages, deaths]

It was the main settlement in the Illinois Region during the French and Spanish Colonial Periods.

Church: Notre-Dame de la Conception
registers: 1695-1834 [births, marriages, deaths] 
census records: 1726, 1752, 1787

Fort Massac [Massiac]

Fort Massac (1757-1764, 1794-1817, 1850-1864) - First established by the French in 1757 as Fort Ascension. Renamed Fort Massiac in 1759 after the French minister of marine, the Marquis de Massac. Renamed again by the Americans in 1794 as Fort Massac. Finally abandoned in 1864.

Church:St-François-Xavier
registers: 1749-1786 [births, marriages, deaths]

Church: St-Joseph
Registers:1761-1799 [births, marriages, deaths]

[Note: Charenton was also the original site for New Iberia. The site was moved when the spring rains flooded the area]

Note: Piquant is French for "pricky" or "prickly". The Spanish word "picante" means sharp.  Apparently there were prickly plants growing in the area.

Originally a part of Jefferson Parish, this area was incorporated as Jefferson City in 1850. By 1860 its population was 5,107, including 131 free black citizens, It was annexed by the City of New Orleans in 1870

Named for founder Pierre Laclede Liguest.  In 1764, settlers from the east bank villages of Cahokia and St. Philippe moved to the west bank in 1764 because the territory to the east was given to England at the end of the French and Indian War.  The settlement became known as Laclede's Village, but the official name of St. Louis was given to the village by Pierre in honor of the Crusader King, Louis IX of France.

Founded in 1843 by Father Antoine Desire Megret, a native of Abbeville, France, on land purchased from Joseph LeBlanc.

Mentioned in a 1791 letter by Galvez as one of 5 places established. The exact location is undetermined but it was in the region known as Terre aux Boeufs. It was also known as San Bernardo de Galvez and Nueva Galvez

La Cote Francaise Settled in 1800 via Amite River by French, German,and Italian emigres. Jovial Creole culture was unique. Cypress sawmills, trapping, shingle making, farms and steamboat service once thrived here

La Fausse Pointe [aka Prairie au Large & Le Grand Bois] - see Picouville

Note: There are numerous references to La Fausse Pointe, but the entry for the death of Joseph Broussard refers to Le Grand Bois at La Fausse Pointes.

BROUSSARD, Joseph - inhabitant at le grand bois at la fausse pointe (dec. Rene & Anne GODIN) died 18 Oct. 1815 at age 38 years at his home; buried 19 Oct. 1815 in the parish cemetery. Fr. Gabriel ISABEY (SM Ch.: v.4, #998)

Loreauville - Originally, La Fausse Pointe was the section on both sides of the Bayou Teche as it made a bend from present-day Loreauville to the current-day Community of Belle Place. 

Note: Initial settlement at current-day Donaldsonville and was part of Second Acadian Coast

Upper Lafourche covered Ascension and Assumption Parishes along the Lafourche Bayou.  Lower Lafourche [Lafourche Interior] covered the present-day parishes of Lafourche and Terrebonne.

l'Église de La Nouvelle-Acadie aux Attakapas [The Church of New Acadia at Attakapas] - name given by the priest who accompanied the Acadians to Attakapas in 1765

Note: The original name for the church in Attakapas was St. Joseph and records begin with 1756. It was later called St. Bernard and then St. Martin de Tours

A couple of records that shows St. Joseph's Of Attakapas is:

ALEXANDRE - esclave of Mr. GREVABERT (Rose - esclave of Mr. GEVABERT) bt. 1 Dec. 1776 Spons: Louis GREVABER & Genevieve ROBICHO. Fr. Louis MARIE, Capucin of Opelousas during the absence of a priest in St. Joseph's of Attapakas Post. (SM Ch.: Folio B-1)

BARRA, Hipolite (Vincent & Marie Francoise LABEE) b. 15 March 1776, bt. 24 Nov. 1776 Spons: Jean LABBE & Marie LABBE. Fr. Louis MARIE, Capucin of Opelousas, during the absence of a priest in St. Joseph's of Attapakas Post. (SM Ch.: Folio B-1)

One record that shows St. Bernard Parish is:

BROUSSARD, Vallery (Glode [Claude] & Louisse (sic) EBER [HEBERT]) b. 15 May 1776, bt. 27 Aug. 1777 at St. Bernard Parish of Attakapas Post Spons: Jean Batiste EBER & Elisabelle BROSSAR. (SM Ch.: Folio B-1)

La Jonction [The Junction][Also La Murière]

Arnaudville

Arnaudville was initially called La Murière. Later it was known as La Jonction because it is on the Bayou Teche where it crosses from St. Landry into St. Martin parish

La Manque [see also Le Petit Paris & Pinaudville]

La Pointe de Bon Repos, La Pointe de Repos, Le Pointe au Repos, Quartier de La Pointe du Repos, l'ance du Bon repos, L'ance (anse) a (au) Michaud, La Prairie a Michaud and Prairie Michaud

Note: One of the Inhabitants was Pierre Michaud who was a Sacristan, an officer who was charged with the care of the sacristy, the church, and its contents - see Wikipedia for additional information.

Bayou Teche just above present-day Parks.

According to Dr. Shane K. Bernard in his Bayou Teche Dispatches Blog at http://bayoutechedispatches.blogspot.com/, a 1771 map drawn by Surveyor Francois Gonsoulin has the names of the settlers at "Quartier de La Pointe du Repos" (Area of La Pointe du Repos). The names of the settlers shown on Gonsoulin's map are (from left to right) Aman Thibodeau, Paul Thibodeau, François Guilbeau, Michel Bernard, Simon LeBlanc, Charles Guilbeau, Mary Guilbeau veuve (widow) Babineau, Sylvain Broussard, and the Widow Ducrest (née Wils [Wiltz]).

A detail from Gertrude Taylor's 1979 reconstruction titled "Land Grants along the Teche" shows the same setters (with one exception) that appear on Gonsoulin’s map and that she places them near a bend in Bayou Teche just above present-day Parks, Louisiana. The settlers are, from north to south, Aman Thibodeau, Paul Thibodeaux, François Guilbeau, Michael (Michel) Bernard, Simon Leblanc, Francois Guilbeau, Charles Babineau, and Armand Ducrest.  Only Sylvain Broussard is missing.

Note: Sylvain Broussard may be missing from the the 1979 list because he got "incorporated" into the Guilbeau grants. All the names mentioned are descendant of Joseph Guilbeau dit L'Officier and his wife Magdeleine Michel. Joseph died August 31, 1765. Below are the marriages for the children of Joseph and Magdeleine Michel:

Anne m. Louis-Charles Babineaux; Charles m. Marguerite Bourg; Marguerite's sister, Gertrude Bourg; Marie M. Michel Bernard; Marguerite m. Simon-Joseph LeBlanc [my 5th great-granduncle] - she was his 2nd wife, his first wife was Catherine Louise Thibodeaux; Rosalie m. Paul Thibodeaux who was a first cousin, once-removed of Catherine Louise Thibodeaux; Felicite m. Sylvain Broussard; Francois m. Magdeleine Broussard who was a first cousin once-removed of Sylvain; Jean m. Marie-Jeanne Arceneaux, daughter of Pierre Arceneaux and Anne Bergeron [Note: Pierre and Anne Bergeron were initially on The Acadian Coast and Pierre is considered by some to be the "Gabriel" of the poem Evangeline!]; and, Armand Ducrest is a grandson of Louis Armand Ducrest and Catherine Wiltz. His parents were Laurent Ducrest and Marthe Castille, daughter of Joseph Castille and Osite Landry. Osite's first husband was Joseph Broussard, son of Claude and Anne Babin, who was Sylvain's first cousin.

Independent City established in 1832. Not the same as the current City of Lafayette [see Vermilionville below]

Note: Flamand was a dit name for Grevemberg

Famous for its 19th century homes and gardens, this area was originally part of the Livaudais Plantation. Became part of City of Lafayette, 1833. Annexed by City of New Orleans, 1852. Designated National Historic Landmark, 1974.

[Note: Charenton was also the original site for New Iberia. The site was moved when the spring rains flooded the area]

This Spanish mission, fort (presidio) and village was established in 1717 as the mission San Miguel de los Adaes.  It was the only Spanish mission established in Louisiana, and was destroyed by the French in 1721.  The Spaniards rebuilt the mission, protecting it with a fortified presidio next to the old site.  A small village grew up beside it, and Los Adaes became the capital of the Texas frontier until 1773. 

Just off SH 6, two miles northeast of Robeline. Only rubble remains, but the site is a state historic park.  See map of El Camino Real which ran over 1600 miles from Los Adaes to Mexico City

The modern community of Lydia is named for the old Lydia Plantation, which was begun about the turn of the century by Hypolite Patout and named for a daughter who died young. The original settlement centered around what is now the Olivier Plantation Store on the Weeks Island Road (Hwy. 83). Note: The Olivier Plantation Store is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1898, Jules Olivier went into partnership with Willie Patout to open the store, originally serving primarily as a plantation commissary. Olivier bought Patout out of the store in 1902. There was a race track across the road from the store.

The Franklin and Abbeville Railroad ran nearby, and a narrow gauge tram was used to haul sugar cane from Lydia Plantation to Patoutville.

Early family names in the area included Boutte, Broussard, Winters, Romero, Landry, Duplantis, Bonin, Labiche, Hebert, Dorsey, Boudreaux, Lancon, Charpentier, and others.

The current community of Lydia developed primarily in the 1970s, when the Diamond Crystal Salt Co. abandoned the company town there and gave workers the opportunity to buy their company-owned houses and move them.

Note: St. Nicholas Catholic Church was founded in Patoutville in 1868 and moved to Lydia in the 1960's.

Marais Carlin [Carlin Pond], Grand Marais [Big Pond]

Delcambre, LA

The Post Office serving Delcambre was previously called Peigneur & Gregg.

First White Settlement in current-day Missouri - established by the Jesuits in 1700 [had been a gathering/trading point for Indians since 1682]. It was abandoned in 1703 because of the unhealthy swamps nearby.

Note: St. Louis, MO was settled in 1764

Moliasonville named for Jacque Moliason

Jacque Moliason was the father of Sophie Moliason who married Pierre Broussard, son of Charles Broussard - see San Miguel below.

First sited as Indian portage to Lake Pontchartrain and Gulf in 1699 by Bienville and Iberville. Founded by Bienville in 1718; named by him in honor of the Duke of Orleans, Regent of France. Called the Crescent City because of location in bend of the Mississippi

Name given to Baton Rouge when the territory East of the Mississippi River [except for New Orleans] was given to the British in 1763.  The area was captured in 1779 by General Galvez.

Nueva Iberia [named by the Spanish Settlers from Malaga (and a few from the Canary Islands) for the Iberian penisula] [also called petite fausse pointe]

Note: The original settlement reached on Feb. 11, 1779 was at current-day Charenton, LA. Flooding caused by the Spring rains forced the relocation to the current site.  Land was bought from Joseph Prevost dit Collet and the settlers were in temporary housing by April 21, 1779.

New Iberia

Note: New Iberia is a twin city with Alhaurin de la Torre, a metropolitan are near Malaga, Spain - see http://bayoutechemuseum.org/ and http://www.thecajuns.com/malaguenos.htm

Traveled on by Iberville, 1699 and named for the French minister of Marine. Indians called it Okwa-ta, wide water. First port of embarkation was at the site where bayou St. John flows from this lake. It was the first water route to the city of New Orleans.

Short trail from Lake Pontchartrain to river shown by Indians to Iberville and Bienville, 1699. Winding trail used by early travelers to city. From Bayou St. John it lead to N. Broad, Bayou Road, Vieux CarrÈ to Mississippi River at site between Dumaine and Gov. Nicholls Streets.

Current parishes of St. Landry, Evangeline, Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis and portions of Vernon, Lafayette & Vermilion

South boundary of Tangipahoa Parish. Part of line dividing Isle of Orleans from Florida Parishes. Boundary between British West Florida and Spanish Louisiana, 1763-1783; Spanish West Florida and French Louisiana, 1803; U.S. and Spanish West Florida, 1803-1810.

LeBeau

LEBEAU, SSJ, Rev. Pierre Oscar (1870-1915). Fr. Pierre Oscar LEBEAU was born on 24 Feb. 1870 in Pointe Coupee Parish. His parents were A.O. LEBEAU and E. BERGERON. He made his preparatory studies for the priesthood at St. Mary's College, Kansas. He entered St. Joseph's Seminary in 1890 and was ordained a priest at St. Joseph's Seminary by Bishop CURTIS in May, 1895, His first assignment was at St. Peter Claver in Baltimore. In 1896, he was transferred to St. Francis Xavier's Church in the same city. In September, 1897, he was appointed the founding pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Palmetto, Louisiana. This was the first Josephite mission in Louisiana. Palmetto was also called Petite Bayou. In 1902, a convent was built by the people and Fr. LEBEAU. Finally, in March, 1909, he was sent to be pastor of St. Dominic's Church in New Orleans, Louisiana, which position he held at the time of his death. He was buried near Immaculate Conception Church. He died in New Orleans on 27 Dec. 1915, During his twenty years of ministry Fr. LEBEAU labored unceasingly for the cause to which he gave his life. He was always faithful to his duty, zealous for souls, and loved by his people--which is the best that can be said for any priest. According to the tombstone inscription: "First Josephite Missionary in Louisiana." The name of the town of Palmetto was changed to LEBEAU, Louisiana in his honor.

Simeon Patout Sr., a native of Ussy, France, arrived in Louisiana in 1825. With his wife Appoline Fournier he started Enterprise Plantation which has remained in family hands every since. Simeon came from a family of grape growers and had hoped to establish a winery at Enterprise. Conditions were not correct and the attempt was unsuccessful. Simeon was born 18 Feb 1791 in Ussy and died in 1847. His wife ran the plantation until their son Hippolyte took over the plantation operation. The family continues to run Enterprise Plantation, Patoutville, Louisiana. It is a National Landmark and the oldest continually operating family owned sugar plantation in the United States

Note: St. Nicholas Catholic Church was founded in Patoutville in 1868 and moved to Lydia in the 1960's.

Initially called Dugasville for the Dugas family [Charles Dugas m. Marguerite Broussard and their descendants] who opened a trading post at the site.  The name was changed to Picouville when a Picou family member donated land to build a chapel.

On  April 15, 1871, the name was changed from Picouville to Loreauville for Joseph Ozer [Ozaire] Loreau who was married to Erasie Dugas, a great-granddaughter of Charles Dugas and Marguerite Broussard. He was the son of Joseph Loreau from France and Marie Irma Boutte, widow of Eloy Broussard. The chapel had burned and Joseph Ozer Loreau contributed the land on which St. Joseph Church now sits and the cemetery. He had also aided in the agricultural, industrial and political growth of the village. Loreau was also shown as Laneau on some records.

Note: Eloy Broussard was a son of Amand Broussard and Anne Benoit. Amand, born about 1752 in Acadia, was the son of Joseph Broussard dit Beausoleil and Agnes Thibodeaux. Several years ago, the site of the Amand Broussard Home was exacavated near the Community of Belle Place.

Pinaudville is the old name for the part of St. Martinville that is located across the bayou from the church and the rest of town

Thanks to Dr. Shane K. Bernard for providing this information. See Books Page for books by Dr. Bernard.

Pont du Breaux

In 1765 Charles Barre bought 8800 arpents from Jacque Guillaume Courtableau, 1st Commandant, Opelousas Post. Here Bayou Courtableau gives birth to Bayou Teche

Named for the merchant Jules Pouppeville and dating back to the 1850s. Pouppeville was once a stagecoach stop. The town was disassembled, carried north by oxen one mile to meet the railroad, & rebuilt at Rayne Station in 1881

State Capital. Named by Iberville 1699 from Indian name Iti Humma, Red Pole. Village settled 1721. British, 1763 - 1779; Spanish 1779-1810. Republic of West Florida, 1810

San Miguel [St. Michel]

The plantation of Michael Mahier was named San Miguel for which the town of St. Michel was named. St. Michel later became Port Allen.

Note: The land next to the San Miguel Plantation was owned by Charles Broussard [1743-1791] and it later became the site of the ferry landing.

Originally a Spanish settlement and early port on Amite River route from Mississippi River via Bayou Manchac. First called Scivicque’s Ferry for Vincent Scivicque, native of Italy. Site of parish courthouse 1872-1881

St. Gabriel of Iberville aka St. Gabriel of Manchac

Note: Acadians who arrived in 1767 from Maryland were sent to St. Gabriel

St. James Parish: Origin of Place Names [Source: Cabanocey...p 73-75]

Paulina was La Longue Vue for the long view of the Mississippi River. The story for the name is that a nun named Paulina dropped her prayer book with her name in it and the place where it was found was named Paulina.

The Welham Plantation was named for someone of that name. The railway station became Oneida, and the post office Hester. A subsequent owner of Welham, Mr. Leon Keller named his son Leon Desire Welham Keller.

Belmont is the location of a large Indian mound. The French said "Qu'elle belle moule!" In time belle moule became Belmont.

Burton & Lutcher wewre named after the owners of saw mills.

Gramercy was named after the Gramercy Park in New York by Mr. Spellman who was connected with the Colonial Sugars.

College Point is deduced from the college built on the point - a big bend in the river.

Convent was simply St. Michel for a long time but later became Convent because of the Sacred Heart Convent built there.

Timberton was a saw mill and village built away from the river near the swamp - a town in the timber or Timberton.

St. James was first called Cabahannocer - later Cantrelle - but it finally held on to the name of the St. James Church.

White Hall was first the domain of the Brinigier family and was named after their big white house or White Hall.

Romeville was once the site of the Webre plantation. The Webres intermarried with the Romes and because of the many Rome families, the village became Romeville. The Romes are descendants of Johann Rommel who with his wife and two children were among the forty Germans who arrived on the ship Deux Frères on March 1, 1721 [213 persons had sailed for Louisiana ont he ship!]

Union was first called Pointville because the land there spreads fan-like from centric point sisty-six far back in the woods to the river. Later Pointeville became known as Pape Vert because of a famous gambling place of that name. Afterwards, it took the name Sté Marie du Fleuve. The first post office in that section was on Union Plantation. Later the postoffice was moved nearer the church and the village became known officially as Union.

Located on the Mississippi River about 65 miles downstream from St. Louis. It was the easiest access to the Mississippi River from the lead mines. Philip Francois Renault, the director-general of the mining operation who was a wealthy Paris banker, arrived in 1723. Among the many famous persons of Ste. Genevieve are Moses Austin and his son, Stephen. Also John James Audubon who was born in Louisiana in 1780. He went to Ste. Genevieve as a businessman and left as a birdwatcher! 

Ste. Genevieve, Missouri

Site of early Houmas & Tunica Indian villages. French St. Reyne Concession, 1717; later abandoned. British & Spanish Colonial Eras, 1763-1810; Independent state of West Florida; annexed by United States 1810

Est. in 1795 in the territory of the Chickasaw Indians across from El Diamante Island and near the Carondelet and Las Casas Rivers.

Created 1897 and closed 1917, New Orleans’ famous legalized redlight district was in this area. Among the many great jazz musicians on the scene here were King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Tony Jackson and Jimmie Noone.

Line established by Pinckney Treaty, Oct. 27, 1795, dividing southern United States and Spanish West Florida. Recognized U.S. claim dating back to American Revolution, 1783.

Fort St. Louis de la Louisiane - Old Mobile, the capital of French Louisiana from 1702 - 1711.  In 1711, the capital was relocated to the head of Mobile Bay, the site of the present-day Mobile.

From 1699 to 1702, the French capital was first at Fort La Boulaye on the lower Mississippi River and then at Fort Maurepas on Biloxi Bay. In 1718, New Orleans was established. In 1720, the French Capital was moved from Mobile to Biloxi and in 1722, it was moved from Biloxi to New Orleans.

Valenzuela dans la Fourche  was located on the banks of Bayou Lafourche 80 miles west of New Orleans.

Founded under Spanish rule c. 1778 by Canary Islanders, later joined by Acadians and others. Post believed to have been on site of Belle Alliance Plantation, 841 acre grant to Don Juan Vives, early Spanish physician, officer in the Galvez Expedition.

Near this site on April 9, 1682, LaSalle claimed Louisiana for France. Father Zenobius Membre, a member of the expedition, sang the Te Deum. On March 3, 1699, Father Anastase Douay, a member of Iberville’s expedition, celebrated the first mass of record in French Louisiana

John Wharton Collins donated land and founded Wharton in 1813. Town was named for his grandfather, John Wharton. Legislature granted charter March 11, 1816, and changed name to Covington, in honor of General Leonard A. Covington, war hero of 1812. See history of Covington.