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Morgan City is known worldwide for fresh and salt water fishing, hunting and fine Cajun cuisine. It is the gateway to the Gulf of Mexico for the shrimping and oilfield industries. Its economy is diverse, including large onshore and offshore drilling, production and support services for the oil and gas industry.
Situated in St. Martin Parish and St. Mary Parish, the City of Morgan City is at an elevation only 7' above sea level. Morgan City is located on U.S. 90 about half-way between New Orleans and Lafayette, and near Patterson, Houma, Franklin, Raceland, Thibodaux, and Jeanerette. See Morgan City map below.
Morgan City is located about 150 miles south-southeast of Alexandria, on the banks of the Atchafalaya River and near the Gulf of Mexico.
We remember our visits to Morgan City in the 1960s, and attending the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival, and the blessing of the shrimp boat fleet.
Morgan City was originally named Tiger Island, and later renamed Brashear City in honor of Dr. Walter Brashear who had purchased large amounts of land holdings in the area. Incorporated in 1860 as Brashear City, the community's name was changed in 1876 to Morgan City after Charles Morgan, the man who dredged the Atchafalaya Bay to accommodate ocean-going vessels.
Shown below are a few images of the past from Morgan City from the Alexandria Historic Postcard Collection.
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