Originally named Côte Gelée (Frozen Hills) because of its hilly ridge area and the severe winter of 1784, Broussard, La., was founded in 1884. It was named after Valsin Broussard, a prominent local merchant, who formed the first vigilante committee when his own store was robbed. He was also a direct descendant of Joseph Gaurhept Broussard de Beau Soleil, one of the first 200 Acadians to arrive in Louisiana on February 27, 1765, aboard the Santo Domingo.

Primary agricultural resources include sugarcane, soybean, and hay production as well as horse and cattle farming. Principal industries consist of oil and gas service companies, food distributors, real estate developments, and manufacturing.

Broussard has gone from a horse-and-buggy community, with large sugarcane plantation homes, to a present-day industrial community with more than 300 businesses. It was designated a city in November 2002; yet, one still experiences its charm though the atmosphere of elegant Creole home cooking and Cajun food at local restaurants.

For more information about the history of Broussard read "A Brief History" by J. Harold Hollier.

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