Plaquemine is a river city known for its welcoming attitude
Plaquemine, a city on the Mississippi River, is known as the “City of Hospitality.” Though the town only has around 6,000 residents, they are more than willing to share its hot spots with newcomers. Towering live oak trees and winding bayous surround the community, and within it lies a historic district with buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s. “It’s green and tropical and filled with people who have good hearts,” says Julie Simoneaux, the adult services coordinator at the Iberville Parish Library, headquartered in Plaquemine, for more than 20 years. “They’re always helping others find what they’re looking for or recommending good restaurants and things to go see.” Fishing is a favorite pastime of the community, and others like to support the arts and events scene.
New Traditional and French-influenced homes for below-median prices
The city has a mix of cottage-style homes, New Traditional houses, and French-influenced, ranch-style properties. The median sale price is around $200,000, well below the national median. Yards can feature trees of all sizes and small bushes, though many are sparse and predominantly grass.
Residential streets are mostly in a grid-like pattern. Though their width can vary, many roads are wide, and parking along the curb is a common practice in certain neighborhoods. Several crisscrossing power lines hang above the streets. While some highly trafficked thoroughfares like Meriam Street have sidewalks, most do not.
Cajun, Chinese and barbecue restaurants, and easy access to essentials
Most city restaurants sit near Eden and Church streets. Fat Daddy’s Bar-B-Q & Po-Boy Shack has served the community sandwiches and Cajun favorites for more than 30 years. Its sister restaurant, Lil Daddy’s, uses the same menu in a sports bar atmosphere and hosts live music on Thursdays. Tom’s SeaFood Poboy offers a mix of Chinese entrees and fried seafood. Uncle Johnny’s is known for its specialty pizzas. The community has Walmart, Dollar General and Family Dollar locations for essentials. Residents can pick up clothes and home goods at Bealls.
Iberville Parish School District and a school choice program
Students are zoned for Iberville Parish School District. Those in prekindergarten through sixth grade can attend Iberville Elementary School, which receives a B Niche score. Plaquemine Senior High School, for grades 7-12, offers dual enrollment classes through local colleges. It earns a B rating.
Louisiana’s LA GATOR Scholarship Program gives education scholarship accounts to eligible families. The state then awards those families funds to use on private school tuition and other expenses. St. John High School, a private 7-12 academy, holds a B grade.
Fish and boat on Bayou Plaquemine or bike on a waterfront trail
The Mark A. "Tony" Gulotta Bayou Plaquemine Waterfront Park has a fishing pier and boat dock. It is also the home of the Plaquemine Community Center, which has a large kitchen and hosts events. A walkway connects the park with the Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site, which offers free tours of its museum and grounds. Joggers and cyclists use the Plaquemine Riverfront Recreational Trail for exercise, and Plaquemine City Park has basketball courts, baseball and softball diamonds, a skate park and playground equipment. Several other parks with athletic facilities are spread throughout the region.
The Island Golf Course offers public tee times as well as golf and social memberships. The club has tennis courts, a pool and a fitness facility. The Iberville Museum, housed in a Greek Revival building once used as a city hall, tells the story of the region. Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, known as the “Cathedral on the Bayou,” is an Italian Romanesque building constructed in the 1920s.
Watch a musical or play carnival games at the All Is Bright event
The Geaux Market Vendor Pop Up brings food, arts and retail sellers together on the first Saturday of each month. The Iberville Community Theatre puts on several performances of popular plays and musicals each year, including “Mary Poppins” and “Annie.” Each holiday season, the All Is Bright celebration combines carnival attractions with vendors and appearances from Santa Claus and the Grinch.
A risk of hurricanes and flooding, but Downtown Baton Rouge is close
Though there are several chemical plants in the Baton Rouge region, including on Bayou Plaquemine, the state tracks each plant’s emissions of gases like ozone to ensure safe air quality. Simoneaux says the community can be severely affected by hurricanes and flooding. “We’re often directly in the path, so we’ve been through it,” Simoneaux says. “We’re pretty good at prepping, and we have great officials who watch things closely and get us out of here if need be, which isn’t often.”
Louisiana State Highway 1 cuts through town, splitting into Eden and Church streets locally. A railroad also runs north and south next to the highway. Downtown Baton Rouge is around 15 miles away. Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport is close to a 20-mile drive, as is Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, one of three Level I trauma centers in the state.
