The Atchafalaya River and Bayou Teche have been main factors in the development, setlement, and growth of St. Mary Parish. Two dominant cities grew because ojf theseaccesses - Franklin and Morgan City. Franklin became known for its sugarcane plantations while Morgan City became known for its shrimping, fur trade, and marine industries. These two cities and their surrounding areas flourished due to the innovations of the steamboat industry as well as the introduction of the railroad. These historical introductions are still very much an intricate part of the parish's accessibility and capability for commerce and trade in today's market.