Billeaud, Louisiana facts for kids
Billeaud is a small, quiet community located in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, in the United States. It's not a city with its own government, but rather a group of homes and businesses. You can find Billeaud near where two important roads meet: US 90 
and LA Hwy 182 
.
Contents
The History of Billeaud
Who Was Martial Billeaud?
The community of Billeaud is named after a man named Martial Billeaud. He was a very important person in the area's history. In 1889, he changed his business in a big way.
From Horses to Steam: The Sugar Mill
Martial Billeaud first had a syrup mill that used horses to power it. But in 1889, he made a huge upgrade! He built a new, modern sugar factory that ran on steam power. This new factory cost about $50,000, which was a lot of money back then. It could process 400 tons of sugar cane every single day.
This new factory was a big deal for local farmers who grew sugar cane. They now had a nearby place to turn their cane into sugar. The Billeaud Sugar Mill helped bring a lot of wealth and growth to the nearby town of Broussard. This happened during a time when sugar farming was booming all across southern Louisiana.
Exploring Billeaud's Attractions
The Historic Billeaud House
One interesting place in Billeaud is the Billeaud House. This house was once part of the Billeaud Sugar Plantation. It was built a long time ago, even before the American Civil War. Today, the Billeaud House is used as a special place where people can learn about spinning and weaving.
Weaving History: Looms and Cotton
Inside the Billeaud House, you can see old weaving machines called looms. One of these looms is incredibly old, about 150 years old! There's also a newer loom that was built by a local craftsman, Mr. Whitney Breaux. He made it for Louisiana's 200th birthday celebration.
People used these looms to create blankets and clothes. They used two main types of cotton. One was white cotton, which grew naturally in Louisiana. The other was brown cotton, which was brought to the Acadians (early settlers in Louisiana) from Mexico by the Spaniards.
