Jeanerette, Louisiana
Encyclopedia
Jeanerette is a city in Iberia Parish
, Louisiana
, United States
. Known as "Sugar City", it had a population of 5,997 at the 2000 census. It is part of the New Iberia
Micropolitan Statistical Area.
for 1052 acres (4.3 km²). Under Spanish law, if someone occupied a piece of property for two years they could apply for title to the land under an “order of survey settlement.” Nicholas Provost secured the property from the present day experimental farm to the St. Mary Parish
line. He engaged in sugar cultivation until his death in 1816.
The town derived its name from John W. Jeanerette, a native of South Carolina
who went to the area in the 1820s. First he worked as a tutor for a planter's family, as did numerous educated young adults from northern states, then opened a store and saloon. Having saved some money, about 1830 Jeanerette purchased Pine Grove Plantation, formerly known as Beau Pré (meaning Lovely Meadow/pasture).
Jeanerette offered a portion of his house to be used as a mail depository for the local inhabitants. Later John Jeanerette was appointed the town's first postmaster (he dropped his middle initial.) The name Jeanerette afterward stuck for the post office and town.
, Confederate
forces under General
s Richard Taylor
and Henry Sibley
withdrew from Franklin
and on April 14, 1862, reached Jeanerette, twelve miles (19 km) south of New Iberia
. A soldier, Arthur W. Hyatt, describes the difficult march:
"Thus we had marched about twenty-six miles in fifteen hours and fought a battle in the bargain. But such terrible hard marching I never witnessed before. Our feet are all blistered and swollen, and we have had scarcely anything to eat -- what with hunger, thirst, mud, rain, marching, fighting, dust, etc., etc., we are perfectly worn out." The night after Hyatt's report, the "weather turned unusually cool, and the men got very little sleep."
As Taylor retreated, his army grew smaller. Winters explains that "a number of his men lived in the area through which they now traveled, and many of them slipped away to visit their families. Many of the Louisiana men were conscripts and were serving under duress." Many of the forces deserted with their arms and remained at their homes. Taylor lamented the lack of discipline among the troops. Quite a few from Sibley's Texas brigades also deserted and returned home.
The successful Union general, Nathaniel P. Banks, bivouaced
near Jenerette. Winters reports that some of the Union forces "confiscated a large batch of Louisiana rum . . . and made things lively. . . . After a struggle, the drunk and riotous men were quieted and the weary troops . . . settled down for the night."
lumber and sugar
industries. Its nickname has been "Sugar City". Although its major growth was after the Civil War, it has some surviving antebellum
houses in the city and region.
Sugarcane continues as a key factor in the economy, with three active sugar mills, one of which was located within the city until it was closed, dismantled, and its equipment sold in the first decade of the 21st century. Jeanerette is the home of manufacturers of equipment for the cultivation, harvesting and processing of sugarcane. Today, additional sources of income include oil
and natural gas
, salt
, carbon
black, a garment distribution center, and fishing.
Jeanerette was the home of Paul N. Cyr
, Huey P. Long's lieutenant governor
and political opponent. Cyr had a dental office there.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²), all land.
of 2000, there were 5,997 people, 2,057 households, and 1,513 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,712.0 people per square mile (1,047.7/km²). There were 2,272 housing units at an average density of 1,027.5 per square mile (396.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 38.34% White, 59.70% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.58% from other races
, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.43% of the population.
There were 2,057 households out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples
living together, 26.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.46.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.6% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,888, and the median income for a family was $26,810. Males had a median income of $36,170 versus $15,000 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $11,871. About 31.2% of families and 34.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 46.7% of those under age 18 and 23.3% of those age 65 or over.
serves Jeanerette. Area secondary schools include:
Jeanerette Elementary School is public and K–6. In addition St. Charles Elementary School, K-6, is also in Jeanerette.
The school system previously operated Canal Elementary School (K-2) in Jeanerette.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs
sponsors the Chitimacha Day School southwest of Jeanerette in the Charenton
community of unincorporated St. Mary Parish
.
St. Joseph School
is a private Catholic school, serving K–8.
Iberia Parish, Louisiana
Iberia Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is New Iberia. As of 2000, the population was 73,266.Iberia Parish is part of the New Iberia Micropolitan Statistical Area as well as the Lafayette–Acadiana Combined Statistical Area.Iberia, along with...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Known as "Sugar City", it had a population of 5,997 at the 2000 census. It is part of the New Iberia
New Iberia, Louisiana
New Iberia is a city in and the parish seat of Iberia Parish, Louisiana, United States, 30 miles southeast of Lafayette. In 1900, 6,815 people lived in New Iberia; in 1910, 7,499; and in 1940, 13,747...
Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Early years
In the 18th century, the land on which Jeanerette now lies was originally procured from the Spanish government by Pierre Zerangue. Zerangue received an “order of survey and settlement” from SpainSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
for 1052 acres (4.3 km²). Under Spanish law, if someone occupied a piece of property for two years they could apply for title to the land under an “order of survey settlement.” Nicholas Provost secured the property from the present day experimental farm to the St. Mary Parish
St. Mary Parish, Louisiana
St. Mary Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Franklin. As of 2000, the population was 53,500.The Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of St. Mary Parish.-Geography:...
line. He engaged in sugar cultivation until his death in 1816.
The town derived its name from John W. Jeanerette, a native of South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
who went to the area in the 1820s. First he worked as a tutor for a planter's family, as did numerous educated young adults from northern states, then opened a store and saloon. Having saved some money, about 1830 Jeanerette purchased Pine Grove Plantation, formerly known as Beau Pré (meaning Lovely Meadow/pasture).
Jeanerette offered a portion of his house to be used as a mail depository for the local inhabitants. Later John Jeanerette was appointed the town's first postmaster (he dropped his middle initial.) The name Jeanerette afterward stuck for the post office and town.
Civil War
During the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
forces under General
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
s Richard Taylor
Richard Taylor (general)
Richard Taylor was a Confederate general in the American Civil War. He was the son of United States President Zachary Taylor and First Lady Margaret Taylor.-Early life:...
and Henry Sibley
Henry Sibley
Henry Sibley may refer to:*Henry Hastings Sibley , central figure in the founding of Minnesota, first governor, Union general*Henry Hopkins Sibley , Confederate general...
withdrew from Franklin
Franklin, Louisiana
Franklin is a city in and the parish seat of St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 8,354 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
and on April 14, 1862, reached Jeanerette, twelve miles (19 km) south of New Iberia
New Iberia, Louisiana
New Iberia is a city in and the parish seat of Iberia Parish, Louisiana, United States, 30 miles southeast of Lafayette. In 1900, 6,815 people lived in New Iberia; in 1910, 7,499; and in 1940, 13,747...
. A soldier, Arthur W. Hyatt, describes the difficult march:
"Thus we had marched about twenty-six miles in fifteen hours and fought a battle in the bargain. But such terrible hard marching I never witnessed before. Our feet are all blistered and swollen, and we have had scarcely anything to eat -- what with hunger, thirst, mud, rain, marching, fighting, dust, etc., etc., we are perfectly worn out." The night after Hyatt's report, the "weather turned unusually cool, and the men got very little sleep."
As Taylor retreated, his army grew smaller. Winters explains that "a number of his men lived in the area through which they now traveled, and many of them slipped away to visit their families. Many of the Louisiana men were conscripts and were serving under duress." Many of the forces deserted with their arms and remained at their homes. Taylor lamented the lack of discipline among the troops. Quite a few from Sibley's Texas brigades also deserted and returned home.
The successful Union general, Nathaniel P. Banks, bivouaced
Bivouac shelter
A bivouac traditionally refers to a military encampment made with tents or improvised shelters, usually without shelter or protection from enemy fire or such a site where a camp may be built. It is also commonly used to describe a variety of improvised camp sites such as those used in scouting and...
near Jenerette. Winters reports that some of the Union forces "confiscated a large batch of Louisiana rum . . . and made things lively. . . . After a struggle, the drunk and riotous men were quieted and the weary troops . . . settled down for the night."
Incorporation
Jeanerette was incorporated as a town in 1878 and Joseph E. Provost became the first mayor; its economy was based on the cypressCypress
Cypress is the name applied to many plants in the cypress family Cupressaceae, which is a conifer of northern temperate regions. Most cypress species are trees, while a few are shrubs...
lumber and sugar
Sugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
industries. Its nickname has been "Sugar City". Although its major growth was after the Civil War, it has some surviving antebellum
Antebellum architecture
Antebellum architecture is a term used to describe the characteristic neoclassical architectural style of the Southern United States, especially the Old South, from after the birth of the United States in the American Revolution, to the start of the American Civil War...
houses in the city and region.
Sugarcane continues as a key factor in the economy, with three active sugar mills, one of which was located within the city until it was closed, dismantled, and its equipment sold in the first decade of the 21st century. Jeanerette is the home of manufacturers of equipment for the cultivation, harvesting and processing of sugarcane. Today, additional sources of income include oil
Oil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
and natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
, salt
Salt
In chemistry, salts are ionic compounds that result from the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base. They are composed of cations and anions so that the product is electrically neutral...
, carbon
Carbon
Carbon is the chemical element with symbol C and atomic number 6. As a member of group 14 on the periodic table, it is nonmetallic and tetravalent—making four electrons available to form covalent chemical bonds...
black, a garment distribution center, and fishing.
Jeanerette was the home of Paul N. Cyr
Paul N. Cyr
Paul Narcisse Cyr was the elected lieutenant governor in the Huey Pierce Long, Jr., gubernatorial administration who quarreled with the self-designated "Kingfish" throughout most of their tenure...
, Huey P. Long's lieutenant governor
Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana
The Office of Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana is the second highest state office in Louisiana. The current Lieutenant Governor is Jay Dardenne, a Republican...
and political opponent. Cyr had a dental office there.
Geography
Jeanerette is located at 29°54′59"N 91°40′21"W (29.916438, -91.672483).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²), all land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 5,997 people, 2,057 households, and 1,513 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,712.0 people per square mile (1,047.7/km²). There were 2,272 housing units at an average density of 1,027.5 per square mile (396.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 38.34% White, 59.70% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.58% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.43% of the population.
There were 2,057 households out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 26.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.46.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.6% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,888, and the median income for a family was $26,810. Males had a median income of $36,170 versus $15,000 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $11,871. About 31.2% of families and 34.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 46.7% of those under age 18 and 23.3% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
- Stuart BishopStuart BishopStuart James Bishop is a businessman in Lafayette, Louisiana, who is an incoming Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. He will assume the District 43 seat in January 2012, when the incumbent, his fellow Republican Page Cortez of Lafayette, instead becomes the District 23...
—Incoming (2012) State representativeLouisiana State LegislatureThe Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
from Lafayette ParishLafayette Parish, LouisianaLafayette Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Lafayette. According to the 2010 Census, its population was recorded as 221,578....
was born in Jeanerette. - Terrel CastleTerrel CastleTerrel Ray Castle is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for AEK Athens...
—AEK Athens Basketball Player - Simone B. ChampagneSimone B. ChampagneSimone Becnel Champagne is a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 49 in south Louisiana. She resides in Jeanerette in Iberia Parish, where in 1971 she graduated from Jeanerette High School...
—State representative from Iberia and VermilionVermilion Parish, LouisianaVermilion Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Abbeville. As of the 2010 census, the population was 57,999....
parishes - Hiram EugeneHiram EugeneHiram Eugene is an American football safety for the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
—NFL Player - Troy HebertTroy HebertTroy Michael Hebert is a politician from Jeanerette, Louisiana, who is the current Commissioner of the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. Hebert was appointed commissioner by Republican Governor Bobby Jindal...
—Commissioner of the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco ControlLouisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco ControlThe Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control is a Louisiana state government agency that regulates the alcoholic beverage and tobacco industries. The Office places emphasis on combating underage purchasing and drinking of alcohol and tobacco....
; former member of both houses of the Louisiana State LegislatureLouisiana State LegislatureThe Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
Education
Iberia Parish School SystemIberia Parish School System
Iberia Parish School System is a school district headquartered in New Iberia, Louisiana, United States.The district serves all of Iberia Parish and all of the city of Delcambre, which has portions located in Vermilion Parish.-School uniforms:...
serves Jeanerette. Area secondary schools include:
- Jeanerette High School (9–12) http://www.iberia.k12.la.us/schools/jsh/index.html (in a nearby unincorporated area)
- Jeanerette Middle School (7–8) (Jeanerette)
Jeanerette Elementary School is public and K–6. In addition St. Charles Elementary School, K-6, is also in Jeanerette.
The school system previously operated Canal Elementary School (K-2) in Jeanerette.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Indian Affairs
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is an agency of the federal government of the United States within the US Department of the Interior. It is responsible for the administration and management of of land held in trust by the United States for Native Americans in the United States, Native American...
sponsors the Chitimacha Day School southwest of Jeanerette in the Charenton
Charenton, Louisiana
Charenton is a census-designated place in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,944 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area. According to legend, the community received its name from one of the earliest settlers of the region,...
community of unincorporated St. Mary Parish
St. Mary Parish, Louisiana
St. Mary Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Franklin. As of 2000, the population was 53,500.The Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of St. Mary Parish.-Geography:...
.
St. Joseph School
St. Joseph School (Jeanerette, Louisiana)
On September 29, 1888, ten years after the founding of Jeanerette, Louisiana, the Catholic Sisters of Mercy arrived in Jeanerette at the invitation of the Pastor, Father Michael Bardy. On October 1, 1888 St. Joseph School was opened with two buildings on Provost Street...
is a private Catholic school, serving K–8.