Plaquemines Parish

Plaquemines Parish is in Louisiana, at the south-east edge of the the Greater New Orleans region. (A Louisiana "Parish" is the equivilent of a "county" in other states.) The parish seat is officially Pointe à la Hache, although since the destruction of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 most of the government has been in Belle Chasse. Stella Plantation House on Highway 39 Plaquemines Parish Tourism website Understand Plaquemines Parish is a peninsula along both sides of the Mississippi River where it flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The area's development started in Louisiana's French and Spanish Colonial eras, taking advantage of the rich agricultural land along the narrow strips near the river, and the rich fishing in the wetlands and Gulf beyond. In 2005 Hurricane Katrina hit the area. Belle Chasse was moderately damaged; in most of the rest of the Parish damage was severe to catastrophic, with storm surge sweeping over the levees, and smashing or sweeping away the majority of the buildings. Note: On 9 January 2013 the ferry across the Mississippi River at Pointe à la Hache / West Pointe à la Hache was closed down indefinitely. There are NO vehicle crossings of the river below the ferry at Belle Chasse/Scarsdale. Orientation Eastbank Plaquemines Parish Courthouse, Pointe à la Hache The East Bank is on the same side of the river as most of New Orleans and as Chalmette. It is less populated than Plaquemines' West Bank. Highway 39 follows the River down the Eastbank; it connects to St. Bernard Highway (46) in St. Bernard Parish. The recovery from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was set back significantly with major flooding and destruction in some parts of Eastbank Plaquemines from Hurricane Isaac in 2012. At the small town of Scarsdale a ferry carries vehicles across the Mississippi River to Belle Chasse, the only operating vehicle crossing in the Parish and the lowest on the Mississippi River. As of late 2012 services can be rare downriver from Scarsdale. A number of small communities line the road. A few old plantation houses dot the route, of more modest size than the grand mansions up river; some are immaculately restored, others in states of ruin. At the town of Phoenix the road splits. Highway 15 runs by the River and 39 continues parallel further back. 15 is the slower more scenic route. Near the end of the road is Pointe à la Hache, still officially the Parish Seat, but as of Spring 2012 little is there other than the ruins of of the old Courthouse and an open convenience store/sandwich shop. Westbank Woodland Plantation House Louisiana Highway 23 follows the bends of the Mississippi River down the Westbank. Running down the river north to south: Belle Chasse is the population and business center of the Parish, just down river from the Algiers section of New Orleans. Also home to a Naval Air Station. The only community in the Parish that might be considered a city. The ferry across the Mississippi River to Scarsdale docks at the end of Avenue G, near the river end of Belle Chasse Highway. Myrtle Grove has a marina and a few restaurants and bars. Woodland Plantation [1] Old plantation house (featured on 19th century engravings and the lables of bottles of "Southern Comfort" liquor) is now a bed & breakfast. Those not staying the night can take a look around the historic grounds and have a drink at "Spirits Hall", an old church building rennovated for secular use. West Pointe à la Hache Port Sulphur has a number of open businesses (full grocery, hardware, bank etc) South Plaquemines High School is located in Port Sulphur. Empire Buras was a "ground zero" for the devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005. A cafe and a couple small businesses in the area are open as of early 2010. Fort Jackson historic brick fort was site of an important battle in the American Civil War. Boothville town has the area's open school and heliport. Venice town at the end of Highway 23; the place furthest down the Mississippi River accessible by land. Get in By car, or helicopter to Boothville Get around See Woodland Planation, listed above Do World Class Fishing Lower Plaquemines Parish features some of the best fishing in the world. There are many freshwater fishing outlets as well as access to deep water Gulf of Mexico. Plaquemines Orange Festival [2] is held early each December celebrating the Parish's favorite citrus fruit with live music, food and events at Fort Jackson. Plaquemines Parish Seafood Festival [3] one weekend each May, music, food and events in Belle Chasse. Buy Fresh citrus. Plaquemines has long been famous in this region for the great oranges, satsumas, and other citrus fruit grown here. There are several stands and shops along the highways. Eat Belle Chasse has Plaquemines' largest selection of restaurants, both national chains and locals. The area around Venice at the end of Highway 23 has a number of restaurants specializing in fresh seafood. DJ's One Stop Pointe à la Hache, on Route 15 a block up from the Ferry landing near the Courthouse ruins. This small combination grocery/restaurant is the only place to buy a meal in Pointe à la Hache, but fortunately it's good. Generous reasonably priced sandwiches (the hot sausage and the turkey are both good), eat in or to go; they also do pizzas, and seafood specials on Fridays. Drink Stay safe Contact Area code is 504, same as in New Orleans. Get out New Orleans Saint Bernard Parish, including Chalmette This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!