Beautiful Jeanerette Louisiana

A couple of evenings when Leah and I were left alone, we drove around New Iberia and Jeanerette looking at the scenery. This home in Jeanerette is being restored. I don't know what needs to be done to finish it, but I think these old homes have so much more character than new homes. I think it is beautiful.

Jessica's husband Floyd grew up in Jeanerette and his family still lives there. The town got its name from John W. Jeanerette, a native of South Carolina, who came to the area in 1830. He purchased Pine Grove Plantation, known as Beau Pre, and worked as a tutor on the plantation, opened a store and saloon. He offered a portion of his house to be used as a mail depository for the local inhabitants. Officially the John W. was dropped and John Jeanerette became the first postmaster and the name Jeanerette stuck.

The town of Jeanerette was charted in 1878 and grew from the cypress lumber and sugar industries. Today antebellum homes can be seen in the city and through out the area standing witness to that era.

Sugarcane is a key factor in the community’s economy with 3 active sugar mills, one of which is located within the city. Jeanerette is the home of manufacturers of equipment for the cultivation, harvesting and processing of sugarcane. Today, additional sources of income include oil and gas, salt, carbon black, a garment distribution center, and fishing.

I am fasinated with the old oak trees and the growth of vines, etc. that hang from these majestic trees. We were told that the growth that hangs down is what early settlers used to make their bed mattresses with.

We drove past several planations, but stopped to take a few pictures of this one that didn't have a big fence to block the view. It was getting dark out, so the picture didn't turn out very good. I would have loved to toured some of these old homes, but don't suppose the people living in them would approve!