Alma, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alma, Louisiana
Alma
|
|
|---|---|
|
Town
|
|
 Alma, Louisiana
Location in Louisiana
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
Alma was once a small community in southeastern Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, United States. It was located just east of Lakeland. Today, this area is home to the Alma Plantation, which has the only working sugar mill in Pointe Coupee Parish.
A sugar mill is a factory that processes sugar cane into sugar. Alma is one of only 11 sugar mills still running in Louisiana. It makes raw sugar and a thick syrup called blackstrap molasses. When sugar cane is harvested, which locals call "the grinding season," Alma Plantation becomes a major employer in the area. Sugar cane from many nearby parishes is brought here to be processed.
History of Alma
The land where the Alma community was located once belonged to Julien de Lallande Poydras. He was a famous person from Pointe Coupee who gave a lot of money to good causes. This type of person is called a philanthropist.
Alma Plantation House
The first Alma Plantation House was built in 1789. It stood right next to the False River. After Julien Poydras passed away, David Barrow bought the property. His family was very well-known in Louisiana.
In 1938, a special train engine from Alma Plantation was sold. This 13-ton locomotive was named "Dixie." It was sold to the Mississippi River Sugar Belt Railroad.
Visiting Alma Plantation
The original Alma Plantation home is not open to visitors anymore. However, you can still visit the sugar mill and a country store there. It's a great way to see how sugar is made!
