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Please add profiles of those who were born, lived or died in St. James Parish, Louisiana.
Official Website
St. James is one of the state's nineteen original parishes, created by act of the territorial legislature, March 31, 1807.
St. James Parish is part of the Acadian Coast. While it is possible that some Acadians did arrive prior to 1755 or between 1755 and 1764, the first documented group of Acadians [4 families: 20 individuals] arrived in New Orleans in February 1764. The arrival was documented in a letter dated April 6, 1764, from Governor D'Abbadie to his superior in France. They were settled along the Mississippi River in present-day St. James.
St. James is known for its tradition, Bonfires on the Levee, which takes place every Christmas Eve. Residents build large bonfires along the River levee, lighting them all at nightfall. The townsfolk tell the children that the purpose of this tradition is so Papa Noel can easily see his way down the Mississippi as he is delivering gifts.
St. James is the only cultivation site in the world for Perique tobacco, introduced by an Acadian exile, Pierre Chenet, whose nickname was "Perique." It has been produced by his descendants for nearly two centuries (now covering only a 300-acre and is in great demand by large tobacco companies.
Adjacent Parishes
Towns & Communities
- Convent (Parish Seat)
- Gramercy
- Grand Point
- Hester
- Lemannville
- Lutcher
- Moonshine
- North Vacherie
- Paulina
- Romeville
- St. James
- South Vacherine
- Union
- Welcome
Cemeteries
Links
German-Acadian Historical & Genealogical Society
National Register of Historic Places
