St. Mary Parish

St. Mary Parish, established in 1811, was originally part of the Attakapas District and St. Martin Parish. Located in the heart of southern Louisiana, it is bordered by St. Martin, Iberia, Assumption, Terrebonne, and the Gulf of Mexico. The parish is known for its unique Anglo-Protestant roots, standing out within the predominantly French-Catholic Acadiana region, with early settlements in towns like Franklin, Baldwin, and Patterson. St. Mary’s fertile lands proved ideal for sugarcane cultivation, transforming it into one of the state’s key sugar producers by the mid-19th century.

Today, the parish’s economy thrives on sugarcane, petroleum, fishing, and agriculture, while its rich history is reflected in the preserved antebellum homes in Franklin and its charming historic district. St. Mary is also home to the Chitimacha Indian Reservation, Cypremort State Park, and annual events like the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival. Notable attractions include the Wedell-Williams Memorial Aviation Museum and Morgan City, the filming site for classics like Tarzan of the Apes and Thunder Bay.