# Breaux Bridge, Louisiana

Breaux Bridge (/ˈbroʊˈbrɪdʒ/; French: Pont-Breaux; Cajun French: Pont-(de)-Breaux pronounced) is a city situated in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is part of the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area. The population was 7,513 at the 2020 census.
Known for its vibrant Cajun culture, Breaux Bridge carries the designation La Capitale Mondiale de l’Écrevisse ("Crawfish Capital of the World"). The title was formally bestowed by the Louisiana Legislature, recognizing the city's prominence in crawfish production and celebration.
The city hosts an annual Crawfish Festival that attracts visitors from across the region. Breaux Bridge is regionally noted for its practice of listing people by nicknames in the town's telephone directory.

## History
### Early History and Indigenous Presence

The narrative of Breaux Bridge begins long before its official founding, intertwined with the natural environment and the indigenous people who first inhabited the area. The city owes its existence to the Bayou Teche, a 125-mile-long waterway that winds through the heart of Cajun country. Once the primary course of the Mississippi River, the Teche's significance is reflected in its name, derived from the Chitimacha word for "snake."
The Chitimacha people were the original inhabitants of the Bayou Teche region. They are said to be the original inhabitants of Bayou Teche. The arrival of the French and Spanish colonists in the 18th century resulted in a drastic decline of their population due to wars with the colonists and exposure to infectious diseases. While European colonization brought hardship to the Chitimacha, their legacy remains etched in the land and its stories. The tribal leadership sold what was left of the Chitmacha land to the US government in 1917. By 1930, the Chitimacha population had dropped to just 51 people; however, since then, the population has grown. The 2000 census reported a resident population of 409 persons living on the Chitimacha Indian Reservation in Charenton, near Baldwin, Louisiana. Of these, 285 were of solely Native American ancestry. They listed their languages as English, Chitimacha, French, and Cajun. The legend of Bayou Teche comes from the Chitimacha: "Many years ago... there was a huge and venomous snake. This snake was so large, and so long, that its size was not measured in feet, but in miles. This enormous snake had been an enemy of the Chitimacha for many years, because of its destruction to many of their ways of life. One day, the Chitimacha chief called together his warriors, and had them prepare themselves for a battle with their enemy. In those days, there were no guns that could be used to kill this snake. All they had were clubs and bows and arrows, with arrowheads made of large bones from the garfish.... The warriors fought courageously to kill the enemy, but the snake fought just as hard to survive. As the beast turned and twisted in the last few days of a slow death, it broadened, curved and deepened the place wherein his huge body lay. The Bayou Teche is proof of the exact position into which this enemy placed himself when overcome by the Chitimacha warriors." In celebration of the Chitimacha legend, Breaux Bridge commissioned a 20 foot-long snake sculpture, which shows all of the towns along Bayou Teche, and a commemorative marker to remind visitors of the legend. The snake sculpture, located in Pare des Ponts de Pont Breaux, highlights the significance of the bayou to the Acadians, as the bayou once served as the primary highway for the region. The snake is constructed from a solid piece of violetta granite from Saudi Arabia, which was cut into five pieces and re-jointed. The snake is mounted onto a 25-foot piece of absolute black granite from Zimbabwe. Carved into a kiosk-shaped piece of granite located near the sculpture is the legend of Bayou Teche. (Courtesy City of Breaux Bridge.)

### The Acadian Exodus and Arrival

Breaux Bridge's historical trajectory shifted dramatically with the arrival of Acadian refugees in the mid-18th century. The Acadian people came to Louisiana because the main spoken language was French and the predominant religion was Catholicism.
These French-speaking settlers, uprooted from their homes in Nova Scotia during the Great Expulsion of 1755, sought refuge in the welcoming lands of Louisiana. The Acadians were a culture known as Cajun and although several different cultures throghout Southwest Louisiana Spanish, Croole, African American, and Native American, that the Cajuns have everted the greatest influence on the must, cuisine, relat, and enditions of Louisiana. These refugees, seeking a haven from religious and cultural persecution, found solace among the existing French communities in Louisiana, establishing settlements that would shape the region's identity.
Documents from 1755 reveal that French inhabitants of Nova Scotia were deported and dispersed among the English colonies in America for two reasons: the British wanted their rich farmland, and they wanted to dispel the rebellious French Acadians from Canada, who they viewed as someone they could coerce. The Acadians of Chignecto were dispersed to the southern colonies of South Carolina and Georgia, which was now a part of the British Empire. They were exiled with the clothes they wore and in groups not exceeding ten, to Vincinda, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Those from Annapolis Royal and Minas were sent.
Some historians argue that the Acadians arrived many years after the Apalachicola Courier, to Charleston. Others believe that they arrived from Saint-Domingue (Haiti). Among the Haitians Acadians who sailed from Saint-Domingue by schooner were Joseph Broussard and Alexandre Broussard, including even some lone relatives, as well as the families of many of their associates. The Broussards did not remain at Saint-Domingue, but soon hired another vessel and, with 193 other Acadians, continued on to New Orleans. The Broussard group to La Pointe (Breaux Bridge) and Parks, Louisiana, marks the first Acadian settlements in the United States. They were joined a few weeks later by another large group. By the end of 1765, documents show that nearly 500 Acadians were living in settlements in the Attakapas District.
By the end of the decade, the area was home to a growing population of Acadians, three-quarters of whom had originated at Chigneeto or Chipoudy Bay.
Among the early arrivals was Firmin Breaux, who followed Joseph Broussard to Louisiana after initially being exiled to Boston. In 1766, Firmin Breaux was listed as a resident at Bayou Tortue. From there, he traveled to St. Jacques de Cabannocé (present-day St. James Parish), where documents show that he married Marguerite Braud. Firmin, was a pioneer from Acadia, who settled here after expulsion by the British in what is now eastern Canada, and arrived in the area during early 1765 (after the British defeat of the French in 1763). By 1774, his branding iron was registered. By 1786 he was one of the largest property owners in the Bayou Têche country. He is listed in the 1769 census of the area. The Spanish census of April 25, 1766, reflects that some of these Acadians were found living at La Pointe (Breaux Bridge).

### Establishing a Community: Firmin Breaux and the First Bridge

One of the pivotal figures in the early development of Breaux Bridge was Firmin Breaux. After obtaining land along the Bayou Teche, he constructed a footbridge across the waterway in 1799. The bridge made access to Firmin's cotton gin accessible, as his sons, Joseph and Agricole, lived on the eust bank, facilitating passage for family members and neighbors. This humble footbridge, likely a suspension structure of rope and planks, became a local landmark. This prompted people to say to go to "Breaux's bridge," eventually leading to the city's official name. When Firmin Breaux died on Oetober I, 1808, he was living at the west end of the bridge, where there was a cotton gin and ferry.

### Scholastique Breaux and the Formal Founding of Breaux Bridge (1829)

On August 25, 1829, Scholastique Picou Breaux formalized the town's establishment. After the death of her husband, Agricole Breaux, Scholastique, born Scholastique Melanie Picou on July 25, 1796, she developed the Plan de la Ville du Pont des Breaux, was a decisive move, laying the groundwork for the community's future development. She was a woman who married Agricole Breaux at a young age and had five children with him. In 1817, the couple replaced the Bayou Têche suspension footbridge built by Agricole's father Fermin with a vehicular bridge that allowed wagon passage and made way for the area's increasing commerce. At the age of 32, her husband died and Breaux was widowed.
A determined Acadian woman, Scholastique drew up Plan de la Ville du Pont des Breaux (“Plan for the City of Breaux Bridge”), which included a detailed map of the area and a diagram of streets. She developed the area by selling land lots to other Acadian settlers. A statue has been created and commissioned by Scolastique, created by great-great-granddaughter Celia Guilheau Soper. Celia enlisted her 35 year old daughter, Rebecca, to model for the statue, as there were no known photographs of Scholastique. In 1847, a church parish was created. Twelve years later, the area was officially incorporated. After founding the town, Scholastique remarried. She had two more children with her second husband. After Agricole's death, Scholastique married Jean-Francois Domengeaux and had two children with him, Linvale and Teresite Domengeaux. Many of her descendants are residents of Breaux Bridge and Lafayette. She died on September 21, 1848. The bronze statue honoring Scholastique Picou Breaux was unveiled on August 12, 1998. Scholastique and Agricole's children included the following: Emile, Arthemise, Caliste (wife of Alexandre Hebert, then of Charles Rees), Elmire (wife of Jean-Baptiste David), Erasie (wife of Alexis C. Guidry), and Azelia (wife of Alexandre C. Guidry). She was born Scholastique Melanie Picou on July 25, 1796.

### Growth and Modernization: Infrastructure and Commerce

Agricole Breaux built the first vehicular bridge in 1817, allowing for the passage of wagons, it increased commerce in the area. To allow for the lifting of the bridge as that boats could pass through. the 1817 span was modified around 1845. As the 19th century progressed, Breaux Bridge experienced growth and modernization, fueled by agriculture and trade. The arrival of steamboats and the construction of the Southern Pacific Railroad in the late 19th century expanded the town's connections to regional and national markets.
According to company records, construction on the main line of the Southern Pacific Railroad began at Algiers, across the Mississippi River from New Orleans, in 1852. The line from Cade to St. Martinsville was completed in 1882, and to Breaux Bridge in 1895.
Life in Breaux Bridge and the surrounding areas was often documented at that time. According to historian Kenneth P. Delcambre, the camera was not introduced to Breaux Bridge until 1879. It was noted that there was snowfall that year.
A temporary pontoon bridge was built to facilitate pedestrian traffic while the railroad bridge was utilized by vehicles.

### 20th Century and Beyond

In 1890, the census recorded the population of Breaux Bridge as 654. In 1958, district judge A. Wilmot Dalferes of Lafayette discovered the 1859 Act of Incorporation of Breaux Bridge. This lead to civic, religious, and fraternal group leaders organized and began planning an observance of the centennial of the incorporation.
The first Breaux Bridge High School opened in 1905 at 348 West Bridge Street. The Red Building was constructed in 1913 at the corner of Main and Martin Streets, facing City Park, at a cost of $20,000. The White Building was constructed in 1922 for $85,000. The flood of 1927 washed away the bridge across the Atchafalaya, and service was discontinued. Later, service from Breaux Bridge to St. Martinville and Port Barre was discontinued.
In 1958, district judge A. Wilmot Dalferes of Lafayette discovered the 1859 Act of Incorporation of Breaux Bridge. Upon discovery of these papers, civic, religious, and fraternal group leaders organized and began planning an observance of the centennial of the incorporation. The people of Breaux Bridge gathered on April 10, 11, and 12, 1959, to celebrate. Most of the city's population of 5,000 participated in the festivities. Crowds of over 75,000 were estimated to have attended the three days, with former residents and descendants of the original settlers coming from various parts of Louisiana and Texas.
In its earlier years, Breaux Bridge would play host to tens of thousands of people on the streets of downtown. Many say the crowds neared 100,000 and traffic would be backed up for hours in every direction leading into Breaux Bridge. The street celebration spilled over onto nearby lawns, business parking lots, and all places in-between. Due to the huge crowds, the city purchased land and moved the festival to Parc Hardy in 1993. The Acadians developed new house styles. The homes they occupied in Canada were designed to withstand extreme cold, not Louisiana's wet, subtropical climate. Acadians adapted the Creole house style, which called for heavy timber construction with mud-and-moss nogging between the posts. Other basic features were a wide porch across the front, a steep roof extending over the porch, and the structure being raised above the ground on pilings to protect against flooding. This construction, with some modifications, is now considered the traditional Acadian-style house.
As Breaux Bridge's population grew to 1,239 in 1910, many residents built Acadian-style houses.
By the turn of the century, sugarcane, cotton, corn, and rice were the main coup. Jesuit priests brought the first sugarcane to South Louisiana in 1751. Etienne de Boré produced the first successful sugar crop. Established in 1938, the Breaux Bridge Sugar Cooperative was the world's first high-speed sugar mill. In 1993, the firm merged with the St. Martin Sugar Cooperative to form the Louisiana Sugar Cane Cooperation, located in St. Martinville, Louisiana. The Acadians made the decision to come to Louisiana because the main spoken language was French and the predominant religion was Catholicism. The first settlers along Bayou Teche had to do without ministrations of their church except on those rare occasions when a french missionary from Natchitoches or Point Coupee would venture into the area. After the church in St. Martinville was established in 1765, Fr. Alexander Viel ministered to the entire region.
At a cost of $233,728, the current bridge was built in 1950 by J.P. Ewin, Inc., of Mobile, Alabama. The steel bridge has a vertical lift span and concrete approaches. The first person to drive over the bridge was Ana Belle Dupuis Hoffman Krewitz in her Model A Ford.
St. Bernard Parish was established on the corner lot now occupied by the Farmen & Merchants Bank. Fr. J. Zeller, Francophone native of the Alsace-Lorraine region, was assigned to St. Bernard. He remained at the church until 1848. On Ash Wednesday, in March 1848, Fr. ). LeGrand assumed the duties as pastor of St. Bernard Church until 1851. Several pastors served the church from 1851 until 1857, when Fr. Jean Honore Duhernard, a young French priest, was installed as pastor. His fust act was to erect a suitable, spacious, and permanent church, the St. Bernard Catholic Church and Rectory. In later years, the church established a school and a convent by the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. In addition to St. Bernard's, Breaux Bridge has another Catholic church, St. Francis of Assist, which serves the African Americans of the community. It was established in 1923 by Fr. James Albert.
The old Breaux Bridge High School was destroyed by fire in 1975. Located three miles out in the country, the new school was constructed in 1972 and was dedicated on April 21, 1974.

### Modern Breaux Bridge

In its carlier years, Breaux Bridge would play host to tens of thousands of people on the streets of downtown. Many say the crowds neared 100,000 and traffic would be backed up for hours in every direction leading into Breaux Bridge. The street celebration spilled over onto nearby lawns, business parking lots, and all places in-between. Due to the huge crowds, the city purchased land and moved the festival to Parc Hardy in 1993.

## Battle of Breaux Bridge

During the American Civil War, Breaux Bridge was the site of an engagement known as the "Battle of Breaux Bridge." According to Andrew B. Booth’s 1920 "Index to Battles, Campaigns, Engagements, Etc., Fought Within the Limits of the State of Louisiana, 1861–1865," military actions took place at Breaux Bridge on April 17 and April 21, 1863. Local historical accounts indicate that several soldiers armed with muskets clashed across the bridge—a critical crossing point in the area. Although detailed records of this battle remain limited, its occurrence highlights the strategic importance of the bridge during the war and its enduring role in local history.

## Culture

What evolved from these first settlements was a culture known as Cajun. While there are svenldifeent culures throghout Southwest Louisiana Spanish, Croole, African American, Native American, etc: 1 believe that the Cajuns have everted the greatest influence on the must, cuisine, relat, and enditions of Louisiana. (Friedley, Renae; Irwin, Sam (2014). Breaux Bridge. Charleston, South Carolina: The History Press.)

### Crawfish Capital of the World

The formal designation of Breaux Bridge as the "Crawfish Capital of the World" reflects the city's significance in crawfish aquaculture and culinary traditions. The annual Crawfish Festival began in 1960, drawing large crowds and boosting the local economy. (Friedley, Renae; Irwin, Sam (2014). Breaux Bridge. Charleston, South Carolina: The History Press.)
The people of Breaux Bridge gathered on April 10, 11, and 12, 1959, to celebrate. Most of the city's population of 5,000 participated in the festivities. Crowds of over 75,000 were estimated to have attended the three days, with former residents and descendants of the original settlers coming from various parts of Louisiana and Texas. This float was in honor of the veterans of World War II. This is the current Crawfish Festival.

### Cattle Industry

Joseph "Beausoleil" Broussard helped begin the cattle industry in Louisiana. The Acadians found the lush vegetation of the unfenced, wide vistas of the Gulf Coast prairies ideal for raising cattle and horses. Alphé A. Broussard brought a herd of full-blooded Charolais cattle from Mexico to Louisiana, and this became the foundation herd of Charolais cattle in North America. The census of 1766 records that the district had five cattle ranches with 15,000 head of cattle. In 1773, Amant and Pierre Broussard, assisted by eight or nine drovers, began moving small herds of cattle to New Orleans. By 1774, Firmin Breaux's branding iron was registered, and by 1786, he was one of the largest property owners in Teche country. A wagon representing the cattle-herding of the early settlers was part of the parade in 1959.

### Acadian Architecture

Traditional Acadian homes were designed to withstand Louisiana's wet, subtropical climate. These homes often featured heavy timber construction, wide porches, steep roofs, and elevation on pilings to protect against flooding. (Friedley, Renae; Irwin, Sam (2014). Breaux Bridge. Charleston, South Carolina: The History Press.) The Acadians developed new house styles. The homes they occupied in Canada were designed to withstand extreme cold, not Louisiana's wet, subtropical climate. Acadians adapted the Creole house style, which called for heavy timber construction with mud-and-moss nogging between the posts. Other basic features were a wide porch across the front, a steep roof extending over the porch, and the structure being raised above the ground on pilings to protect against flooding. This construction, with some modifications, is now considered the traditional Acadian-style house.

### Crops

By the turn of the century, sugarcane, cotton, corn, and rice were the main coup. Cane a planted ight up to the edge of the road in many areas, growing lush, green, and hugh is lane summe ! s still one of the main crops in the area. Farmers supplemented their incuses tr growing se selling vegetables such as cahbage, onions, snap beans, cita, red peppers and potan (Courte Library of Congress.)
Jesuit priests brought the first sugarcane to South Louisiana in 1751. Etienne de Boré produced the first successful sugar crop. Established in 1938, the Breaux Bridge Sugar Cooperative was the world's first high-speed sugar mill. In 1993, the firm merged with the St. Martin Sugar Cooperative to form the Louisiana Sugar Cane Cooperation, located in St. Martinville, Louisiana. (Courtesy Kenneth Delcambre.)

### Music

As it is today, music was an integral part of the Acadian community at the turn of the century. Music was associated with the dance halls that were popular with families on Saturday nights. There was very little recreation available for farm families. After a week of hard work, they looked forward to the Saturday night dances.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.7 square miles (17 km$^2$), of which 6.6 square miles (17 km$^2$) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km$^2$) is water.

## Demographics

Breaux Bridge racial composition as of 2020 :
| Race | Number | Percentage |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 3,629 | 48.3% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 3,331 | 44.34% |
| Native American | 29 | 0.39% |
| Asian | 68 | 0.91% |
| Pacific Islander | 1 | 0.01% |
| Other/Mixed | 263 | 3.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 192 | 2.56% |
According to the 2020 United States census, there were 7,513 people, 2,944 households, and 2,171 families residing in the city. As of the 2010 United States census, there were 8,139 people living in the city; 50.0% were White, 47.3% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.4% from some other race and 1.3% from two or more races. 1.3% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,281 people, 2,512 households, and 1,821 families living in the city. The population density was 1,111.7 inhabitants per square mile (429.2/km$^2$). There were 2,740 housing units at an average density of 418.3 per square mile (161.5/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 49.84% White, 48.66% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.27% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.65% of the population. Of the population over the age of five, 68.3% spoke English at home, 28.3% spoke French, 1.7% spoke Spanish, and 1.6% spoke Louisiana Creole French.
There were 2,512 households, out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 24.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.1% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,102, and the median income for a family was $31,570. Males had a median income of $30,880 versus $17,819 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,536. About 26.8% of families and 30.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.0% of those under age 18 and 25.8% of those age 65 or over.

## Education

Public schools in St. Martin Parish are operated by the St. Martin Parish School Board. The city of Breaux Bridge is zoned to Breaux Bridge Primary School (Grades PK-2), Breaux Bridge Elementary (Grades 3-5), Breaux Bridge Junior High School (Grades 6-8), and Breaux Bridge High School (Grades 9-12).
Private schools include St. Bernard Elementary (Grades PreK-8) and Louisiana Christian School (Grades PreK-12).

## Traveling

In the early 1800s, traveling from New Orleans to the Attakapas country was usually done by barge, up the Mississippi River to Bayou Plaquemine, down Bayou Plaquemine to the Atchafalaya River, and then to the various landings, such as Fausse Pointe, Cypremort, Sauvage, and Guidry, not far from Bayou Teche. Travelers brought tents and provisions for the voyage, as they had to provide whatever was necessary for their comfort. Since no traveling was done at night, the barge would he tied up toward sunset, tents pitched along the banks of the stream, and the trip resumed the following morning.

## Community

The downtown area of Breaux Bridge had residences interspersed among the commercial buildings. A.E. Broussard's store occupied a large two-story building on East Bridge Street in 1905. It was a general mercantile store that sold everything from clothing to furniture, produce to farm equipment.
Such businesses were among the various stores located in downtown Breaux Bridge that were the equivalent of the large box stores of today. The Champagne family posed for a photograph in 1904. Denis Champagne and his wife, Modeste Patin Champagne, were farmers. The entire Champagne family lived in adjoining farms. Denis was the son of Leo Pierre Champagne, who served in the Civil War in Company E, Consolidated 18th Regiment & Yellow Jackets Battalion.
It was mentioned that a group of people, descendants of the first settlers, formed the Breaux Bridge "Euchre Club" shown above.
Boating and family picnics have long been a favorite pastime of readents of the Teche.
The Enterprise Ice & Light Company and the home of A. E. Broussard, is located on East Bridee Street. Broussard owned the local country store that served as both a hardware and grocery store for the residents, selling everything from rice and coffee to horse harnesses and chicken feed. 22
Though buggies had been surpassed by motor cars by 1910, they continued to be used in areas like Breaux Bridge. Buggies were easier to maneuver along the dirt roads that meandered through the rural prairies of southwestern Louisiana.
According to company records, construction on the main line of the Southern Pacific Railroad began at Algiers, across the Mississippi River from New Orleans, in 1852. The line from Cade to St. Martinsville was completed in 1882, and to Breaux Bridge in 1895.

## Notable people

* Scott Angelle, former interim Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana (2010) and member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission from District 2, son of J. Burton Angelle
* Ryan Broussard, actor known for Alert: Missing Persons Unit
* Lottie Beebe, superintendent of St. Martin Parish public schools; member of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, resides in Breaux Bridge
* Paula Davis, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for District 69 in East Baton Rouge Parish; native of Breaux Bridge
* Jake Delhomme, former quarterback for the NFL's Houston Texans, Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints
* Sonny Landreth, blues guitarist
* Hunter Hayes, singer-songwriter, record producer
* Mike "Pete" Huval, state representative; former member of the St. Martin Parish Council, insurance agent
* Jules Jeanmard, Roman Catholic bishop
* Ali Landry, Miss Louisiana Teen USA 1990, Miss Louisiana USA 1996, Miss USA 1996, and actress and model
* Branford Marsalis, jazz musician and former band leader for The Tonight Show
* Fred H. Mills, Jr., state senator and president of Farmers-Merchants Bank and Trust Co. in Breaux Bridge
* Domanick Williams, former running back for the Houston Texans, 2003 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year