Alma, Louisiana
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Alma was the name of a community located in southeastern Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana. The community was located east of Lakeland, Louisiana. The area is currently home to Pointe Coupee Parish's only operating sugar mill, Alma Plantation. Alma is one of only 12 sugar mills still operating in the state of Louisiana[1]. It produces produces raw sugar and black strap molasses. During the harvesting of sugar cane, known locally as "the grinding season", Alma Plantation becomes one of the area's largest employers. Sugar cane is brought to this mill for processing from a number of surrounding parishes.
[edit] History
The community was located on land once owned by Pointe Coupee's celebrated philanthropist, Julien Poydras. The original Alma Plantation House was constructed in 1789 along the banks of False River[2]. After the death of Poydras, David Barrow, a member of one of Louisiana's most prominent families, purchased the property[3]. In 1938, Alma Plantations's 13-ton locomotive, "Dixie" was sold off to the Mississippi River Sugar Belt Railroad[4]. The Alma Plantation home is no longer open to the public, but the sugar mill and a country store are open to visitors[5].
[edit] References
- ^ Louisiana Sugar Mills
- ^ Alma
- ^ Lockhart, John M. "Roadmap to the Westside", The Riverside Reader, January 21, 2008, p. 5
- ^ The Godchaux Plantation Railroads - Mississippi River Sugar Belt Railroad
- ^ Pointe Coupee Historical Sites
[edit] External Links
Alma Plantation Contact Information
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