It is claimed by some historians that the explorer De Soto died in June, 1542, at the mouth of Red river in the upper portion of what would become the parish of Pointe Coupee. In 1708 a number of wandering Canadians or trappers, either from Illinois or Canada, settled in Pointe Coupee, along the river between where the St. Francis church stood and the upper mouth of False River. In 1712 additional settlers from Vincennes and Illinois located at Pointe Coupee and a number of them took Indian wives of the tribe of Oquelousas.

At this time, 1712, New Orleans was not yet in existence. The seat of government was at Biloxi, and the total population of the French colony in Louisiana amounted to 279, as follows: 122 soldiers, including military and civil officers; twenty-four colonists without grants allowed by the government; twenty-eight women, twenty-five children, eighty slaves -- Indians captured in warfare. Beside these were six men sick in the hospital and about sixty wandering Canadian fugitives or deserters. The headquarters of the colony was too weak to send out settlers for other localities. It needed every able man to protect it against the hostilities of the Indians. It is not strange therefore, that these deserters should join the early settlers of Pointe Coupee.

Governor Bienville heard of the little settlement at Pointe Coupee and on an expedition against the Tunica Indians he stopped there and established a military post about one mile above the present town of Waterloo.

It is not until 1733 that history mentions the existence of the settlement of Pointe Coupee. The prosperity of the colony increased rapidly, and as early as 1745 a number of the colonists were quite wealthy.

Attempts to introduce the cultivation of cotton in Pointe Coupee were made as early as 1785. It was finally adopted, and toward the latter part of the century became a staple; tobacco and indigo were partially abandoned.

By an act of the legislature of the territory of Orleans, approved 1812, Pointe Coupee was incorporated as the twelfth parish, comprehending the parish of St. Francis. The seat of government was near St. Francis church, and the building occupied as the courthouse had previously served as the seat of authority under the different commands of the French and Spanish. It burned down in 1846, having been occupied for more than a century.

In 1848, by a vote of the people, the parish seat was removed to New Road, on False river, wehre a courthouse was erected, which is still occupied.

The parish has a total area of 590 square miles, of which 557 square miles is land and 33 square miles (5.64%) is water. The population recorded in the 1810 Federal Census was 3,187. The 2010 census recorded 22,802 residents in the Parish.

Neigboring parishes are Concordia Parish (north), West Feliciana Parish (northeast), West Baton Rouge Parish (east), Iberville Parish (south), St. Martin Parish (southwest), St. Landry Parish (west), and Avoyelles Parish (northwest). Communities in the parish include Fordoche, Livonia, Morganza, Waterloo, Dupont, False River, Pointe Coupee, and New Roads.

Birth Records - The Louisiana State office maintains records for 100 years after the date of birth. Birth records are considered confidential for the first 100 years. For current information on who may obtain a birth record as well as how to submit a request visit the Office of Public Health, Vital Records Registry website or write to them at PO Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160.

Birth records older than 100 years are available through the Louisiana State Archives, 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. (225) 922-1000.

Death Records - The Louisiana State office maintains records for 100 years after the date of death. Death records are considered confidential for the first 100 years. For current information on who may obtain a death record as well as how to submit a request visit the Office of Public Health, Vital Records Registry website or write to them at PO Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160.

Death records older than 100 years are available through the Louisiana State Archives, 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. (225) 922-1000.

Marriage Records - For current information on how to submit a request for a certified copy of an Orleans Parish marriage record less than 50 years old, see the Louisiana Office of Public Health Director, Vital Records and Statistics website or write to PO Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160.

Certified copies for the parish are issued by Clerk of Court. For the address of the parish Clerk of Court visit the Pointe Coupee Parish Important Addresses page.

Marriage records over 50 years are stored by the Louisiana State Archives, 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. (225) 922-1000.

Divorce Records - To obtain current information on how to submit a request for a certified copy of divorce records contact the Clerk of Court. For the address of the parish Clerk of Court visit the Pointe Coupee Parish Important Addresses page.