In 1781 a group of Cuban immigrants arrived to settle in the area of Charenton, but found the area covered with floodwater from Bayou Teche. They moved upstream and settled in what became New Iberia. Shortly after came French fleeing from the French Revolution, and the Acadians expelled from Nova Scotia.

In 1868 Iberia Parish was carved from St Martin Parish, and New Iberia was chosen as the parish seat.

Paddlewheel steamboats provided transportation back and forth along the Teche until 1880 when the Texas and Louisiana railroad arrived. The railroad opened the door to a new industry, lumber. The Atchafalaya Basin just to the north provided a huge supply of cypress and other woods.

Iberia Parish is home to two salt domes, Jefferson Island home of Rip Van Winkle gardens, and Avery Island, home of Jungle Gardens and world famous Tabasco Sauce. Native Americans discovered salt from the briny water that emanated from the area.

Sugar cane is "king" in Iberia Parish, with several refineries located in the Parish, and the celebration of the Sugar Cane Festival. Those that live here know during sugar cane season, you can't be in a hurry to go places, if you get behind a cane cart.

For more information about Iberia Parish, see http://iberiatravel.com/