Editing Breaux Bridge, Louisiana (section)

==History==
[[Firmin Breaux]] was a pioneer from [[Acadia]], who settled here after expulsion by the British in what is now eastern Canada. He is known to have arrived in the area during early 1765 (after the British defeat of the French in 1763). By 1774, his branding iron was registered. By 1786 he was one of the largest property owners in the [[Bayou Têche]] country.

In 1799, Breaux built a footbridge across the Bayou Têche to help his family and neighbors make the passage. This first bridge was a suspension footbridge, likely made of rope and small planks. It was stabilized by being tied to small pilings located at each end of the bridge as well as to a pair of huge [[southern live oak|live oak]] trees on both sides of the bayou. When traveling directions were given, residents would often instruct people to ''"go to Breaux's bridge . . ."''  This was later adopted as the city's name.<ref name="History_of_Breaux_Bridge">[http://gov.breauxbridgelive.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=52&Itemid=107 gov.breauxbridgelive.com "History of Breaux Bridge"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204512/http://gov.breauxbridgelive.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=52&Itemid=107|date=January 4, 2014}}</ref>

On August 25, 1829, the widow Scholastique (Picou) Breaux founded Breaux Bridge, Louisiana at the age of 33. She was born Scholastique Melanie Picou on July 25, 1796. At a young age, she had married Agricole Breaux. Together, they had five children. In 1817, the couple replaced the [[Bayou Têche]] suspension footbridge built by Agricole's father Fermin with a vehicular bridge that allowed wagon passage and made way for the area's increasing commerce. At the age of 32, her husband died and Breaux was widowed.

A determined Acadian woman, Scholastique drew up ''Plan de la Ville du Pont des Breaux'' (“Plan for the City of Breaux Bridge”), which included a detailed map of the area and a diagram of streets. She developed the area by selling land lots to other [[Acadian]] settlers. In 1847, a church parish was created. Twelve years later, the area was officially incorporated. After founding the town, Scholastique remarried. She had two more children with her second husband.

During the American Civil War, Breaux Bridge was the site of an engagement known as the "Battle of Breaux Bridge." According to Andrew B. Booth’s 1920 "Index to Battles, Campaigns, Engagements, Etc., Fought Within the Limits of the State of Louisiana, 1861–1865," military actions took place at Breaux Bridge on April 17 and April 21, 1863.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://genealogytrails.com/lou/mil_cwdates.html |title=Civil War Dates in Louisiana |publisher=Genealogy Trails |access-date=February 18, 2025}}</ref> Local historical accounts indicate that several soldiers armed with muskets clashed across the bridge—a critical crossing point in the area.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battle-units-detail.htm?battleUnitCode=ULA0001RC |title=Civil War Battle Units – 1st Regiment, Louisiana Cavalry |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=February 18, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.carolana.com/NC/Civil_War/civil_war_battles_skirmishes_louisiana.htm |title=Civil War Battles and Skirmishes in Louisiana |publisher=Carolana.com |access-date=February 18, 2025}}</ref> Although detailed records of this battle remain limited, its occurrence highlights the strategic importance of the bridge during the war and its enduring role in local history.