PLAQUEMINE LOCK STATE HISTORIC SITE

By creating a navigable junction with the impetuous Mississippi, this historic lock of impressive dimensions played an extremely important role from the 19th century onwards in the development of the city, but also of the Louisiana interior. Completed in 1909 by Colonel George W. Goethals (later commissioned to design the Panama Canal), the lock, which for a time was considered the world's largest lock at 20 meters high, made Plaquemine the northern terminus of the intracostal shipping lanes. The increased demand for freight during World War II exceeded its capacity and Port Allen (bordering Baton Rouge) took over. Operating by steam and using gravity as its primary force, the lock was designated a historic site in 1972. The architecture of its control tower is itself relatively atypical with its huge symmetrical windows (the turbines). It is here that you will come to see the small video relating the history of the city (duration of approximately 15 minutes), to visit the museum where objects of time as well as a mechanical model of the lock are exposed, and to know more about the surroundings (the site also acts as a tourist information office). The surroundings are pleasant and green, and there is an open-air pavilion displaying various boats from the time when the lock was still operational. A nice visit and completely free!