One of the most southern of all Louisiana parishes, Terrebonne Parish was established March 22, 1822. The words bon terre are French for “good earth” — a testament to the fertility of the soil and marshes which the early French settlers of this area soon discovered.

The cultivation of sugar cane was the principal agricultural industry in the parish for many years. The first plantation was established in 1828, and by 1851 Terrebonne had 110 plantations with 80 sugar houses.

The parish has always depended on Mother Nature for its livelihood. Oysters, shrimp, crabs and fish contribute their share of wealth to the parish. The oysters from Terrebonne have become internationally known as among the finest in the world.

The official seal of Terrebonne Parish reflects the aforementioned history of the area, depicting an oil rig, a seafood trawl boat, a worker harvesting sugar cane and the date that the “good earth” parish was founded.  The official Terrebonne Parish flag uses this seal as its main feature.