Welcome to Plaquemine!

Tucked between the swamps of the Atchafalaya and the bustling state capitol of Baton Rouge is a parish rich with legend and mystery, where tales of survival and triumph are central to its core. It is Iberville, a parish of awe-inspiring beauty – of magnificent antebellum homes and massive live oaks, of meandering bayous and waterways teeming with life.

It is a parish embracing restoration revival with historic buildings glistening throughout downtown Plaquemine. It is a parish of a people  strong and resilient from life’s challenges, yet, oh so friendly. It is a parish proud of the role it has played in helping south Louisiana thrive for over 200 years. There is in Iberville a sense of history, a sense of grace and beauty, a sense of purpose and place, and most of all, a joie de vivre that we’re glad to share.

Iberville attractions

Plaquemine is an architectural lover’s dream, with its tremendous variety of architectural styles and antebellum gems. The community is older than the United States, and National Geographic has documented Indian settlements in Plaquemine from well over 1,000 years ago. In fact, peaceful Bayou Plaquemine got its name from the Illonis Indian tribe word “Piakemine,” which means persimmon, because of the abundance of persimmon trees growing along the bayou.
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH
The magnificent St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church was built in the late 1920s. The huge Roman Basilica style building is 70 feet wide by 250 feet long and is considered the purest example of Italian Romanesque architecture in the South. It features massive exterior columns matched by huge oak doors. Inside, the long walkway to the altar is marked by more columns and intricate stained glass windows made in Germany after World War II. The balastrino altar, handsome campanile and portico, plus the use of marble for the altar and communion rail, add to the elegance of this great cathedral.
Located next to it is the St. John Parish Life Center, which was originally built as a Catholic school. It has been renovated to now accommodate meetings, gatherings and office space. Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., weekend hours vary depending on services.
PLAQUEMINE LOCK STATE HISTORIC SITE
Bayou Plaquemine served as a vital waterway from the Mississippi River to the interior of Louisiana during the1800s and into the mid 1900s. Because of its importance both as a major transportation route and a force for economic prosperity, Congress authorized the construction of a lock here in the late 1800s. Construction began in 1895 and was completed in 1909.
It is historically significant for a number of reasons:
  • It was designed by Col. George W. Goethals, who was later the chief engineer of the design and construction of the Panama Canal.
  • When it was completed, it had the highest freshwater lift of any lock in the world at 51 feet; and featured a unique engineering design that utilized a gravity flow principle.
  • The lockhouse is quite a unique structure in itself, with a Dutch-influenced style that features gleaming white tile and massive circular windows.
  • The lockhouse has been re-named the Gary J. Hebert Memorial Lockhouse in honor of the late Plaquemine publisher and editor who fought a four-year battle in the 1970s to save the structure and a portion of Bayou Plaquemine. At that time, city and state officials wanted to demolish the building and fill in the bayou to make way for a four-lane highway. He was responsible for having the area put on the National Register of Historic Places, protecting it from demolition.
  • Now a state historic site, it includes a museum, visitors’ center, and an open air pavilion with a display of various water craft used when the lock was operational.
  • Located at 57730 Main Street. Hours: Open daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission: Children to age 12 – free, age 13 to 61 - $2; and senior citizens – free. Phone: (225) 687-7158 or 1-877-987-7158.
BAYOU PLAQUEMINE WATERFRONT PARK
Even the prolific writer Longfellow recognized the beauty of Bayou Plaquemine. The moving poem Evangeline depicts the heroine making her way down Bayou Plaquemine in her quest to find her beloved Gabriel. While access to the Mississippi River was cut off when the lock was closed in 1961, the Bayou Plaquemine Waterfront Park now features an extensive boardwalk system for fishing and picnicking, a
pavilion, floating piers from the pavilion, which allows the docking of boats; a breathtaking park area complete with scenic views, picnic pavilions, fish cleaning area and lighting. A freshwater pump system has been installed to bring freshwater into the bayou from the Mississippi River, which greatly enhances the fish environment and the water quality of the bayou.
WALKING TOUR OF DOWNTOWN PLAQUEMINE
The best way to enjoy the beauty of downtown Plaquemine’s architectural gems is to take a walking tour of the area. Starting from St. John Church heading south, you’ll see:
  • St. John Rectory – an 1880s building, it is home to the pastor of St. John Church. The rectory was completely restored in 1995.
  • Just a block down on the left is St. Basil’s Academy at 32515 Church Street. It was originally built as a mansion in 1850, but is most well remembered as both the Catholic school and residence of the Sisters Marianites of the Holy Cross from 1859 until 1976. It is now the home of former Lt. Gov. and Mrs. Robert L. Freeman.
  • Just across from St. Basil’s is the Fremin Home at 23520 Church Street. Typical of a mid 1800s Louisiana colonial raised cottage, it has been restored to its grandeur.
  • A few steps away at 57725 Court Street is an eloquent three-story Queen Anne home featuring elaborate millwork trim. This 1895 beauty features encircling two-story galleries, multiple dormers and a slate roof topped by a “Widow’s Walk.”
  • Further down Church Street are First United Methodist Church, with its beautiful stained glass windows; the 1904 building now housing the Iberville Chamber of Commerce; and the massive Joseph Wilbert home, with architecture reminiscent of the steamboat days.
  • Heading up Meriam Street and over to Eden Street is another prominent residence, the Schwing/Middleton home, which was built on a Spanish land grant prior to 1842. It was damaged by cannon fire during the Civil War.•And, in the final block of Eden Street are several buildings which have been restored. At the corner of Eden and Plaquemine Streets is the Roth Building, a two-story brick building featuring retail space. Next to it is Barker’s Pharmacy, the oldest pharmacy in the state; and the People’s Bank Building, which dates back to 1899. The large building next to it was originally built as a post office in 1935. And finally, at 23410 Eden Street is the handsome Brusle Building, built in 1889. It is now a law office and private residence.
PLAQUEMINE CITY HALL
Originally named the “Great Temple of Justice,” the massive three story brick building surrounded by oak trees on Railroad Avenue now serves as Plaquemine’s City Hall. It was built in 1907 as the seat of parish government and served in that capacity until 1985 when a new parish courthouse was completed. The building now houses city government, utilities and court offices.
THE ISLAND COUNTRY CLUB
Sweet. How else can you describe a championship golf course carved out of a sugar plantation? As a matter of fact, sugarcane still grows in the field next to The Island. This par 72-course is one of only six courses named initial members of Louisiana’s famed Audubon Golf Trail. This challenging course features 54
as well as Bayou Plaquemine and Bayou Jacob. Of the 18 holes, only one doesn’t bring water into play. But, astute golfers (and the locals) know to watch the swaying of the sugarcane in adjacent fields to determine wind direction. It’s a sweet course in a tranquil setting.

Located on Hwy. 77 one mile south of La. Hwy. 1. Pro shop and course hours: Tuesday-Friday 8 a.m. -  6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Closed on Monday. Phone: 225-685-0808.

Visit the Island Country Club web site: www.theislandgolf.com