Ascension Parish Tourist Commission

African-American, English, and more. Our food, our festivals, our architecture, our history, and our way of life reflect this rich mixture, which we are proud to share with our visitors.

Ascension Parish, with a population of 73,500 and growing, covers approximately 300 square miles that span the Mississippi River. Twenty percent lies on the historic west bank, encompassing Donaldsonville, Bayou LaFourche, and Louisiana Highway 1, sometimes called "the longest main street." The remaining eighty percent on the east bank includes Gonzales and Sorrento. Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 61 serves as its major thoroughfares. Visitors find museums, plantation homes, gardens, a boat tour, shopping, and dining from casual to exquisite within our boundaries, and over 700 hotel rooms. And you'll never find friendlier, more hospitable folks than those you meet when you visit us.

Ascension Parish History

THE EARLY DAYS

Over 500 years define the history of the site of Ascension Parish; a site historicallyidentified by the important junction of the Mississippi River and Bayou Lafourche.

About the year 1200, these waterways were one, then the river changed course, leaving behind a small stream the Native Tribes called ‘bayuk’; today's Bayou Lafourche.

The Houma, Bayougoula, and Tchitimacha tribes occupied this site for years before Europeans. While primitive, they lived in organized communities with disciplined beliefs.

They were hunters and farmers who built mounds and temples. They knew pottery, basketry, and ceramics. They named the Great River, ‘Michi Sipi,’ and are to be credited for helping the early settlers.

The first Europeans (Spanish explorers) arrived here before 1520. In 1541, the conquistador, Hernando de Soto, was the first to write of the Great River, and his lieutenant, Luis de Moscoso, was likely the first to travel the length of Bayou Lafourche on his escape to Mexico.

In this period the Tribes spoke openly of ‘the fork’ (Bayou Lafourche) in the river as another route to the Gulf, but this openness faded, and la fourche was thought mere fable. In 1680, however, the French missionary, Louis Hennepin, wrote of the strategic fork in the river. Afterwards, the search for la fourche became an obsession for the French.

In 1682, Rene Robert Cavalier, Sieur de La Salle, descended the Mississippi. In April, he found the Gulf, and claimed ‘La Louisiane’ for France.

Due to seasonal high waters la fourche was not found. Because he did not document the river's mouth, for near twenty years Louisiana was mostly undisturbed, other than ‘coureurs-des-bois’ (French trappers) roaming the territory.

By 1698, France and Spain were competing for Louisiana. Serving France, in 1699, Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur d’Iberville rediscovered the Mississippi, and began colonization. With help from the Natives he found Bayou Manchaq, which today is one of Ascension’s northern boundaries. La fourche, however, remained elusive.

In 1700, d’Iberville's brother, Jean-Baptiste le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville, with Louis Juchereau de St. Denis, and Henri de Tonti, found la fourche, and named it ‘Les Riviere de Tchitimacha.’ In this period, Iberville founded Mobile in 1702; St. Denis founded Natchitoches in 1714,

Bienville founded New Orleans in 1718, and the French became firmly established from Canada to the Gulf.

It is thought that a tiny village existed on the Mississippi at Bayou Lafourche at this time. The village was called ‘La Fourche des Tchitimacha,’ and later ‘La Fourche.’ In time, French, Canadians, Germans, Spanish, English, African and Native Slaves populated it.

During this time the area’s economy was agricultural; food crops, tobacco, and indigo. Sugar Cane was planted in 1700, but not formally established until 1795. Because adequate labor was needed, by 1717 some 3,000 African Slaves were cultivating the land, and their number grew until Slavery was outlawed. Like the Natives, Africans are to be credited for the growth of the Colony.

By 1721, Louisiana was divided into nine districts with the New Orleans District representing today’s Ascension Parish. That year saw the arrival of German settlers (L’Allemands) on the river and in the Bayou Lafourche area. They suffered deprivation and great loss coming to Louisiana, but their hardiness was later credited with saving New Orleans.

In 1762, France ceded Louisiana west of the Mississippi, and the ‘Isle of Orleans’ to Spain. The Isle was the area east of the river bounded by Bayou Manchaq, the Amite River, Lakes Maurepas, Ponchartrain, and Borgne. All of today’s East Ascension was part of the Isle of Orleans.

In 1755, an event critical to Ascension occurred in Canada; England’s exile of the French from Acadia (England’s Nova Scotia). Acadian families were scattered and torn apart. Misery followed, but disciplined beliefs sustained them. In 1765, many arrived at New Orleans, and were settled in today’s Ascension, an area quickly called the ‘Acadian Coast,’ later Acadia District (1769), and Acadia County (1804). The Cajuns are due much credit for the growth of Ascension and Louisiana.

Curious to the diverse people of Ascension at this time was the ‘Creole.’ Writers called them a ‘created people.’ They were first defined as the newborn French in the Louisiana Colony. In time, this was applied to the Germans, Spanish, and Africans. Indeed, so popular was being Creole, even their produce held that important notoriety, and was constantly sought-out by visitors.

In 1772, at the village of La Fourche, the Ascension Church Parish, ‘La Iglesia de la Ascension de Nuestro Senor Jesus Christo de La Fourche de Los Tchitimacha’ was officially founded by Father Angelus de Reuillagodos. Because of this, La Fourche became known as ‘L'Ascension.’

In 1778, Spain recruited settlers from the Canary Islands to help defend against the advancing English (L’Anglais). Called ‘Islenos,’ they founded two settlements near L'Ascension, ‘Villa de Galvez’ and ‘Villa de Valanzuela.’ English economic penetration was feared, and despite attempts to prevent it, at L'Ascension, Baton Rouge and New Orleans they became established.

In 1779, the American Revolution visited Louisiana. Successfully defending the region were the Spanish and local troops of French, Canadian, Cajun, Isleno, German, African (Slave and Free), and Tribal Natives. Victories at Baton Rouge and Mobile were fervently hailed by the United States.

In 1800, Spain returned Louisiana to Napoleon’s France. Realizing the difficulty of defending Louisiana from the English, in 1803, he sold it to the United States. When news of ‘The Purchase’ reached L'Ascension, English settlers were jubilant, while the French were dismayed.

In 1804, The Purchase was divided, with Louisiana as the ‘Orleans Territory.’ This was divided into 12 counties, with the L’Ascension area as ‘Acadia’; population 5,000. Due to its prosperity, Acadia became the ‘Gold Coast.’ In 1807, the Territory was divided into 19 parishes. ‘Ascension Parish’ was created from Acadia. In 1812, the Territory became ‘Louisiana,’ the 18th State.

Today, Ascension Parish is a true American treasure. It is the ‘Gateway’ to a glorious and sublime portrait of time and people spanning more than five centuries. Ascension Parish is an immense collection of diverse histories deserving simply of recognition, celebration, and protection.

About 1803, the Englishman, William Donaldson, settled at New Orleans. In 1805, he bought land near Bayou Lafourche from the Acadian, Marguerite Allain, and planned an English town. In 1806, ‘Donaldson’ was dedicated, but the largely French population called it ‘La Ville de Donaldson’. In 1823, it was reincorporated as ‘Ville de Donaldson,’ but due to a growing English presence, it became ‘Donaldsonville’; population 200. In 1808, Donaldson Town Post Office was established. In 1809, due to a public protest it was renamed ‘La Fourche.’ Later, it was once again renamed Donaldsonville. In 1816, the town published its first newspaper, ‘The Creole.’

Until 1815, the buccaneer-pirate, Jean Lafitte, used Viala Plantation (Riverdale Golf Club) on the Mississippi as his headquarters. From there he traded goods amongst the settlers that were seized mostly from English ships. He gained hero status at the 1815 Battle of New Orleans fighting the English. In these times, Ascension was served by mail stage. After 1835, the Parish was accessible by steamboat.

As early as 1808, William Donaldson began working toward having the capitol of the Territory moved from New Orleans to his town. This became a yearly contest between Baton Rouge and Donaldsonville. After years of wrangling, from 1829-1831, the town was the capitol of Louisiana.

The earliest mention of a Donaldsonville census is 1830 with 492 residents, 32% in Slavery, and 15% Free Persons of Color. By 1850, there were 10,752 in Ascension, 68% bound by Slavery. Up to the Civil War, the Ascension region prospered. Large plantations were started, great fortunes made, and fine homes built, first by the ‘Creole Aristocracy,’ and then by the invading English.

Situated at Donaldsonville during the Civil War was the Union stronghold, Fort Butler. Slaves of the region helped in the fort’s construction and defense. Here, in 1863, a crucial battle helped decide the Union’s fate, while showcasing the African Slave’s need for freedom. Despite the Civil War, Ascension’s population continued to grow in the years that followed.

Contributing to Ascension’s growth after the Civil War was daily train service, a steam ferry on the Mississippi, school improvements, daily mail, Reconstruction’s end, the introduction of the telegraph and telephone, improvements in streets, roads, and bridges, and the growth of business.

In 1903, a two-century-old debate ended with the damming of Bayou Lafourche in favor of locks to prevent seasonal flooding in the bayou’s lower reaches. Once the debate ended, so did the talk of locks, and for two decades Donaldsonville declined. With the advent of the automobile, by 1930, this was reversed, and the town once again resumed it onward development.

Historically, Ascension Parish was always an agricultural economy. In the 1950’s and 60’s this changed with the addition of major industries, the Sunshine Bridge over the Mississippi, and the opening of Interstate 10. Ascension had now entered the world scene. Compared to 1990, in 2000 Ascension had grown 32% to 76,627 residents, while population in Donaldsonville was 7,605.

Donaldsonville is known today as the "Gateway to Cajun and Plantation Country" because of its rich heritage and the numerous plantations along the Mississippi River and Bayou Lafourche. It is also home to Chef John Folse and his Four Star fine dining establishment Lafitte's Landing at Bittersweet Plantation. Through his depiction of life along the Mississippi, self-taught primitive artist Alvin Batiste has gained international recognition. Visitors may watch Batiste at work at Rossie's Custom Framing. Bed and Breakfast and hotel accommodations are available as well as many family style restaurants.

Early inhabitants of the Gonzales area were, for the most part, of Spanish and French ancestry who settled amidst the Houma Indians. The area was an agricultural community with homesteading granted to early settlers in the mid 1800's. They were linked to other settlements by footpaths and waterways. By 1851, the confines of this new settlement had about ten residents. Adlard Gautreaux established a small school in 1855 to educate the children.

In 1886, "Big" Joseph Gonzales was elected as sheriff of the growing settlement. Joseph's son, "Tee-Joe" opened a general store and post office in the small community the following year.

Because of the arrival of the Louisiana Railway and Navigation Company, the once isolated community began to grow. The Village was subdivided by "Tee-Joe" Gonzales in 1906, and was officially incorporated and declared a village by proclamation of Governor John M. Parker on April 12, 1922. Joseph Gonzales served, as the first mayor of Gonzales and on May 4, 1952 the village became known as the "Town" of Gonzales by proclamation of Governor Earl K. Long.

The leap to a thriving town was made possible with the construction of Airline Highway through the city limits by Huey Long. During the 1950's a major transition occurred as industrial plants began to locate along the Mississippi River, creating a revolutionary growth. These industrial corporations brought hundreds of new residents and the population began to soar rapidly. Commerce quickly developed, keeping pace with the industrial developments.

On the 17th day of August, 1977 Governor Edwin Edwards officially proclaimed and designated the newly established "City of Gonzales". Gonzales is now the commercial hub of Ascension Parish as well as the largest municipality in the parish with a population of approximately 8,700.

Rich in history and tradition, diverse in its ethnic background, Gonzales also holds the distinction of the title of "Jambalaya Capital of the World". The Jambalaya Festival

Association holds one of the largest state festivals every year in May. The lifestyle, food, and music combined with the endless commercial venues such as Tanger Outlet and the many accommodations available make Gonzales a great place to visit and to live.

The first three settlers of Sorrento were Desire LeBlanc, Sr., Jerome Lee, Sr., and Jules Trabeau who each homesteaded 160 acres of land. At this time Sorrento was known as Conway and the main settlement was near Bayou Conway. The first postmaster of Conway was Edmond Landry and the first mail carrier was Wallace Trabeau. Trabeau carried the mail from Burnside to Conway, and at that time there were no roads, only a trail through the woods from Bayou Conway to the plantation fronts along the Mississippi River.

In 1902, the first railroad right-of-way was established. Jerome Lee and Telesphore LeBlanc donated the land. In 1908, the Louisiana Railroad and Navigation Company were established. William Edenborn, a German immigrant, built the railroad. Queen Wilhelkminia of Holland financed the venture and the railroad ran in conjunction with the Dutch Steamship Line.

Edenborn, in 1909, named the town Sorrento after Sorrento, Italy where it is claimed he took his young bride for their honeymoon. The first postmaster of the town of Sorrento was Willie Everrett, folowed by Joe Gravois in 1915 and Sidney Chauvin in 1925.

The Odenweyder-Fisher Company built the first sawmill in 1909. This partnership was dissolved in 1914 and Odenweyder-Alcus became the owner. Cypress and tupelo gum were marketed with the mill having a capacity of 60,000 board feet per day. This capacity was exceeded many times as a record of 93,000 board feet was reported. The mill closed in 1921 and a veneer mill began in 1925. It was known as the DeHass Eby and Alcus Company.

In 1928, when oil was discovered in McElroy Swamps, a subdivision was laid out and streets and lots were surveyed. Sorrento was incorporated as a village in 1956, and on August 20, 1962 was reclassified as a town.

Sorrento's population today is 1,350. It is home to River Parish Community College and a growing number of other commercial developments along Highway 22 near Interstate 10.