Plaquemine, Louisiana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Plaquemine, Louisiana
City
Old Square
Nickname(s):  "City of Hospitality"
Location of Plaquemine in Iberville Parish, Louisiana
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Country	United States
State	Louisiana
Parish	Iberville
Settled	1775
Incorporated	1838
Area
• Total	3.01 sq mi (7.78 km2)
• Land	2.92 sq mi (7.57 km2)
• Water	0.08 sq mi (0.21 km2)
Elevation	23 ft (7 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	6,269
• Density	2,144.71/sq mi (828.08/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	70764
Area code(s)	225
FIPS code	22-60880

Plaquemine is a city in Louisiana, United States. It's the main town, or "parish seat," of Iberville Parish. It is also part of the larger Baton Rouge area. In 2020, about 6,269 people lived there.

History of Plaquemine

Long ago, the Chitimacha people lived in this area. In 1699, Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville claimed all of Louisiana for the King of France. Plaquemine was settled by 1775. Its name comes from the French word plaquemine, which means persimmon.

Because it was located where the Bayou Plaquemine met the Mississippi River, the village quickly grew. By 1838, it officially became a town. Zénon Labauve was elected as its first mayor.

Plaquemine kept growing before the American Civil War. Huge plantations were built nearby, like St. Louis, Nottoway, and Belle Grove. The town has been the center of government for Iberville Parish since it became a town. The old courthouse, built around 1906, has been the City Hall since 1985.

Plaquemine has been a special "Main Street City" in Louisiana since 1993. Ten of its buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites.

Geography and Location

Plaquemine is located at 30°17′3″N 91°14′26″W / 30.28417°N 91.24056°W / 30.28417; -91.24056. It is about 23 feet (7 meters) above sea level. The city is found where the Bayou Plaquemine meets the Mississippi River.

The city is surrounded by farmland. West of the farmland, there is mostly uninhabited swampland. According to the United States Census Bureau, Plaquemine covers about 3.01 square miles (7.78 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Population and People

The population of Plaquemine has changed over the years. In 2020, the city had 6,269 residents. This was a decrease from 7,119 people in 2010.

Diversity in Plaquemine

Plaquemine is home to people from many different backgrounds. In 2020, about 45.84% of the people were White. About 47.09% were Black or African American.

There were also smaller groups of Native Americans, Asians, and Pacific Islanders. About 2.71% of people identified as two or more races. Around 3.33% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

In 2019, the average household in Plaquemine had about 2.54 people. The median household income was $44,457. This means that half of the households earned more than this amount, and half earned less.

Culture and Fun

Annual Events

Plaquemine hosts an annual International Acadian Festival. This event brings visitors from all over the world. Local Mardi Gras celebrations are also popular and attract many tourists.

Places to Visit

Plaquemine is known for its old buildings, called "antebellum structures." Many of these homes are still standing within the city and along Bayou Road. One famous home is St. Basil's, a large house built in the 1850s. It used to be a fancy school for girls.

The Iberville Museum was built in 1949. It first served as the Iberville Parish Courthouse and then as Plaquemine's first City Hall. Now, it's a museum for the parish. It is also on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Plaquemine Lock was built between 1895 and 1909. It was a very important connection between the Mississippi River and the Intracoastal Canal. The design of this lock helped inspire the Panama Canal locks. The Plaquemine Lock stopped operating in 1961. Today, the area is a state park and the lock is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Education in Plaquemine

Public schools in Plaquemine are managed by the Iberville Parish School Board.

Plaquemine High School is located just outside the city limits. The Mathematics, Science, and Arts Academy - West is also in an area close to the city.

Transportation and Infrastructure

Plaquemine can be reached by several highways. These include LA 3066, LA 75, LA 77, and the scenic LA 1. LA 75 connects to Saint Gabriel across the Mississippi River by a toll ferry. LA 1 goes north towards Interstate 10 and Baton Rouge, and south to Donaldsonville. Plaquemine does not have public transportation, so people usually use cars to get around.

National Guard Presence

Plaquemine is home to the 256th Brigade Special Troops Battalion. This unit is part of the 256th Infantry Brigade of the Louisiana Army National Guard. It includes different types of soldiers, like combat engineers and military police. This unit served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005.

Notable People from Plaquemine

Many interesting people have come from Plaquemine, including:

• Chad M. Brown – A politician who served in the Louisiana House of Representatives.
• Percy Butler – An NFL defensive back for the Washington Commanders.
• Kevin Dotson – An NFL offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
• Robert "Bobby" Freeman – A lawyer from Plaquemine who was the lieutenant governor of Louisiana from 1980 to 1988.
• Davon Godchaux – An American football player.
• Lee Meitzen Grue – A poet and educator.
• Bill Lee – A former Major League Baseball pitcher.
• Brian Mitchell – A former Washington Redskins football player who played at Plaquemine High School.
• Karen St. Germain – A politician who served in the Louisiana House of Representatives.
• Clarence Williams – An early jazz pianist and composer.

Images for kids

• 

  An abandoned house in Plaquemine

See also

In Spanish: Plaquemine para niños