City of Gonzales

During the month of April, 1906, exactly 100 years following the beginning of Donaldsonville, Joseph Gonzales subdivided several farms into lots and squares under the name of Village of Gonzales. Lots were sold at $50, $75, and $100. Joseph Gonzales kept working for schools, churches, good roads, and drainage.

The village of Gonzales was incorporated on April 15, 1922, with Joseph Gonzales as the first mayor. Gonzales can appropriately be referred to as the City of East Ascension, for it is the financial, commercial, industrial and political center of activity of the eastern portion of the parish. Its future appears exceptionally bright, and, being intersected by main highways from every direction, it is assured a healthy growth in the years to come.

The citizens are justly proud of the rapid growth and expansion. They call their city the Jambalaya Capital of the World Jambalaya is derived from the Spanish, jamon, meaning ham. Today the recipe has been transformed to include shrimp, crab, and chicken, and all of the spicy seasonings, and is served at the annual Jambalaya Festival and World Championship Jambalaya Cooking Contest, events which attract widespread attention.

Type of Government: Mayor and Bd. of Alderman (5) Lawrason Act
Police: 29 full time officers/12 Reserve/ 14 patrol cars.
Fire Department: 2 full time/20 volunteers/5 trucks
Fire Rating: 4 in city.
Health Care: 2/162 Beds
Hotels/Motels: 7/400 rooms
Recreation: Large Parks and Recreation Program, local rivers for boating, fishing and skiing, Jambalaya Festival, nearby plantation homes, art museum, auditorium, tennis courts, swimming pool, golf course, country club.