Plaquemine, Louisiana

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The city of Plaquemine is the parish seat of Iberville Parish, in the US state of Louisiana. The population was 7,064 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 National Guard
5 External links

[edit] Geography

Plaquemine is located at 30°17′3″N, 91°14′26″W (30.284044, -91.240485)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.6 km² (2.9 mi²). 7.4 km² (2.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (1.71%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 7,064 people, 2,593 households, and 1,846 families residing in the city. The population density was 953.6/km² (2,467.0/mi²). There were 2,828 housing units at an average density of 381.8/km² (987.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 49.26% White, 49.60% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.15% of the population.

There were 2,593 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% were married couples living together, 22.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,364, and the median income for a family was $32,971. Males had a median income of $34,868 versus $21,016 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,066. About 23.6% of families and 24.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.8% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

Plaquemine was noted to be settled as early as 1775. Due to its location at the juncture of Bayou Plaquemine with the Mississippi River, the village soon began to prosper and grow. By 1838, the town was incorporated, electing Zenon LaBauve as its first mayor. Plaquemine continued to grow in the antebellum era. Massive plantations were constructed in nearby regions, including Nottowayand Belle Grove. The town has been the seat of Iberville Parish government since its incorporation. The former Parish Courthouse (c.1906)on Railroad Avenue has been serving as City Hall since 1985.

Location of an old building in Plaquemine, currently the site of Miranda's Restaurant and Barker's Pharmacy.

The lumber industry boomed in the mid-18th century and did not close until available supplies of massive virgin bald cypress trees were exhausted around 1930. Plaquemine produced over 1.5 million board feet (3500 m³) per year in her sawmills. The Plaquemine Lock, constructed from 1895-1909, was a vitally important link between the Mississippi River and the Intracoastal Canal, of which Bayou Plaquemine served as its northern terminus. Its design served as the proto-type for the upcoming Panama Canal locks. The locks were shut in 1961. Today, it is operated as a state park.

Plaquemine has been a Louisiana-designated Main Street City since 1993.
Plaquemine was the birthplace of Motocross Champion Yancy Guerin.
Plaquemine was the birthplace of early jazz pianist and composer Clarence Williams.
Plaquemine was the birth place of WWII medic Eugene Roe.

[edit] National Guard

Plaquemine is the home of the 1088th Special Troops Battalion, formerly known as the 1088^th Engineer Battalion, a unit made up of combat engineer, military intelligence, and other supporting units. The 1088th Battalion is part of the 256th Infantry Brigade of the Louisiana Army National Guard that served in Iraq in 2004-5.