Morgan City in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Morgan City
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, December 22, 2017
1. Morgan City Marker
Morgan City began on the site of the Tiger Island Sugar Plantation owned by Dr. Walter Brashear, a prominent surgeon from Kentucky. It was incorporated in 1860 as Brashear City, then renamed Morgan City in February 1876, in honor of Charles Morgan, New York magnate who made Brashear City the center of many of his steamship and railroad activities.
During the Civil War, it became important as the western most supplyline of the Union Army since it was the terminal of the New Orleans, Opelousas and Great Western Railroad. It was from here that the Union Army made its Teche Campaign.
Since World War II, Morgan City has grown rapidly. The present day growth started with the beginning of the offshore oil exploration and drilling in 1947. Kerr McGee's Rig 16 became the first producer of oil in the open Gulf. In 1972, a historical maker was emplaced commemorating this event.
Brownell Carillon Tower - In a beautiful setting by Lake Palourde. The 9.5 acre park shows the many varied plants that grow wild along the ridges of these swamps - palmettos, elephant ears, ferns, etc... The 106 ft. tower contains 61 bronze bells cast in Holland.
this page online
Erected by City of Morgan City.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1876.
Location. 29° 44.209′ N, 91° 10.487′ W. Marker is in Morgan City, Louisiana, in St. Mary Parish. It can be reached from State Highway 70 1½ miles north of Fig Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3559 LA-70, Morgan City LA 70380, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Louisiana’s River Parishes, in Acadiana Cajun Country, and specifically in Bayou Country. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, on the Gulf Coast, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, Acadia, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, December 21, 2017
2. Morgan City Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lake Palourde (approx. 1.4 miles away); Attakapa Militia (approx. 3 miles away); Dr. Walter Brashear (approx. 3 miles away); First Offshore Oil Well (approx. 3.1 miles away); Civil War Years (approx. 3.4 miles away); Fort Star (approx. 3.4 miles away); The Governor Jared Young Sanders Memorial Monument (approx. 3.4 miles away); Sacred Heart Of Jesus Church (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Morgan City.
More about this marker. Located within the Brownell Memorial Park & Carillon Tower.
Also see . . . Details of the 61-bell carillon, with additional links. (Submitted on September 5, 2020, by Carl Scott Zimmerman of Kirkwood, Missouri.)
December 22, 2017
3. Morgan City Marker
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, December 22, 2017
4. Brownell Memorial Carillon Tower
Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2017, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 819 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on September 5, 2020, by Carl Scott Zimmerman of Kirkwood, Missouri. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 25, 2017. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
