Patterson Louisiana Travel Guide
Patterson is a small town in extreme southern Louisiana. Nestled on the banks of the Lower Atchafalaya River, Patterson lies twenty miles north of the Gulf of Mexico, amid cypress swamps and lazy bayous.
Location of Patterson
Patterson is located in St. Mary Parish on U.S. Highway 90, west of Morgan City, and east of Franklin. The population is about 6,000 residents.
Other area communities include Baldwin, Berwick, Bayou Vista, Charenton and Jeanerette.
Patterson Area Attractions
Wedell-Williams Aviation & Cypress Sawmill Museum is located in Patterson, and operated by the Louisiana State Museum system. Named after Jimmie Wedell and Harry Williams, two of Louisiana's aviation pioneers, the museum showcases numerous aircraft, 1930s air race trophies and memorabilia.
Included in the same building is the Cypress Sawmill Museum which exhibits a variety of artifacts, photographs and films of this early regional industry. Cypress lumber harvested and milled in Louisiana was shipped in mass quantities across the United States.
 Cypress swamp near Patterson, Louisiana (Staff Photo) |
The town of Patterson was once home to the largest cypress sawmill in the world, owned by Frank B. Williams, and in 1997 the Louisiana State Legislature designated Patterson as the Cypress Capitol of Louisiana.
The Bayou Teche Scenic Highway is a must-see for area visitors and those on road-trips, as well as the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. The Patterson Cypress Sawmill Festival is an annual event held in early April at Kemper Williams Park in Patterson. Attendance is normally about 35,000 for a three-day event. The festival is a family oriented and community event. It consists of a midway with amusement rides and games, arts and crafts show, car show, poker run, fun walk, gumbo cook-off, softball tournament, fishing tournament, golf tournament, petting zoo, old engine display, RV camping, lumber jack show, musical entertainment, and lots more!
A variety of RV parks, the Atchafalaya Golf Course, and other attractions make Patterson a popular destination for visitors to South Louisiana.
Swamp Tours in the Patterson Area
One of the most popular things to do in Louisiana is touring the swamps!
Swamp tours are available starting at a number of area communities such as Houma, Thibodaux, Gibson, Kraemer, Patterson, Napoleonville and Theriot.
Learn more about Swamp Tours Near Patterson, Houma, Morgan City & Thibodaux
History of Patterson
Hans Knight, a Pennsylvanian Dutchman, settled his family in what is now Patterson during the early 19th century. The community was originally called Dutch Settlement, Dutch Prairie, and Dutch Town.
In 1832, Captain John Patterson, a trader from Indiana, settled there, built a store and became a prominent citizen.
The town was renamed Pattersonville after the captain successfully moved the post office to Dutch Settlement.
Pattersonville was incorporated in 1907 as the Town of Patterson.
Map of Patterson Louisiana (courtesy of Google Maps)
More Patterson Area ResourcesPatterson at LouisianaTravel.com Patterson Cypress Sawmill Festival |
Photographs of Patterson Louisiana
Louisiana State Museum Wedell-Williams Aviation Museum Cypress Sawmill Musuem Patterson, Louisiana |
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F-4 Phamtom II from the USS Coral Sea, Wedell-Williams Aviation Museum, Patterson, Louisiana |
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Cajun Jack's Swamp Tours, Patterson, Louisiana |
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The boat landing at Cajun Jack's Swamp Tours, Patterson, Louisiana |
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