Morrisonville, Louisiana facts for kids

Morrisonville was a small town in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, United States. It faced a big problem: pollution from a nearby factory. This factory, owned by the Dow Chemical Company, made a chemical called vinyl chloride. Most of the people living in Morrisonville were African American. In 1990, Dow Chemical moved them to new places. These new areas were called Morrisonville Estates and Morrisonville Acres.

History of Morrisonville

Morrisonville was founded in the 1870s. It was started by people who had been slaves. They were freed from a large farm, called a plantation, near Plaquemine.

Factory Next Door

In 1958, the Dow Chemical Company built a factory. It was right next to Morrisonville. This factory made vinyl chloride. At first, there was a green space between the factory and the town. But in 1959, the factory bought land from the town. It then grew very large, covering about 1,400 acres (5.7 km²). The factory became so close that its announcements could be heard inside people's homes.

Pollution and Moving Away

In the 1980s and 1990s, a serious issue arose. Harmful chemicals were found in the town's water wells. To avoid legal problems, Dow Chemical decided to buy the town. They wanted to move everyone away. This would create a safe space around the factory.

The Relocation Plan

In 1989, Dow announced their plan. They would buy all homes and land in Morrisonville. This happened just before a government report came out. The report was about harmful releases from the factory. Dow told residents that if they refused to sell, their property would lose all its value.

About twenty families did not want to move at first. But by 1993, the town was completely empty. Today, only a few things remain. There is the graveyard of the old Nazarene Baptist Church. There is also a simple wooden prayer site. Dow provided this site for families. They can visit the graves of their loved ones.

Life After Moving

The people of Morrisonville moved to new homes. Many went to a place called Morrison Acres. Sadly, some people passed away before they could get settled in their new homes.

The area around Morrisonville has many chemical factories. These factories make materials like PVC. This 80-mile (130 km) stretch, between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, is famous. It was first called the 'Chemical Corridor'. Later, it became known as Cancer Alley. Many other towns in this area have also been affected. They have faced problems like polluted underground water and other harmful releases.