Named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, this city is the Parish seat of St. Mary Parish (Louisiana has parishes instead of counties like other states).  Franklin is located along Bayou Teche in the heart of Sugar Cane country.  Sterling Sugar has a sugar processing plant in Franklin which adds an odorous quality to the community in the Fall.  Franklin boasts a number of attractions, including some very nice antebellum homes and is the home of Governor Mike Foster.

The most famous bayou of them all, Bayou Teche.  Teche derives from a Native American word, "tenche" meaning "snake."  It's thought the bayou was given this name because it "snakes" and curves along it's course, although it could also be due to all the cottonmouth snakes that live along its banks.

There may be prettier historic homes in the Franklin area, however, Susie Plantation near Centerville is reputed to be haunted.  Susie Plantation is surrounded  by several secluded acres on the edge of a vast cane field, not far from Bayou Teche.  A former owner is buried on the property.  At the time the picture was taken, the house was for sale.

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An old drawbridge allowing Willow Street to cross Bayou Teche in Franklin.  The operator's shack is in the foreground.  The state employee responsible for turning the bridge when a large boat comes along operates several other bridges as well.  The bridge operator has to commute from one bridge to another to allow a boat passage along the Teche as it sails to or from the New Iberia area.

A beautiful shot of spanish moss-draped oaks in the historic district of Franklin.

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February 11, 2000

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Captions and photos by Jay Barrymore ©2000 all rights reserved
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