Island History

 

 

One of the most unique factors in the designing and planning of The Island lies in the land itself which has been owned by the Wilbert family for generations. The family business dates back to 1848, when a poor young cabinet maker and coffin maker named Anton Wilbert came from Germany and settled in Plaquemine. He bought land for timber to support his trade, which happened to have seven oil fields on it. Over the next century-and-a-half, they bought more land and diversified so that today they own a total of 121,000 acres in 10 parishes in Louisiana and 4 counties in Mississippi. The Wilbert commitment to quality and good business sense has given them credibility and respect from the town of Plaquemine. The Wilbert family name stands behind The Island not only in design, but through a long history of living off the land and knowing the local population.

 

The land that The Island sits on originally produced sugar cane and is one of the two highest elevations in Iberville parish - ideal for residential use. The area falls within the city limits of Plaquemine so all the amenities (police and fire protection, city services, etc.) of the town are provided. The Island has excellent underground drainage and sewerage, eliminating flood problems and shifting ground. At 27 feet above sea level, builders minimum foundations are required, and roads, gutters and sidewalks are concrete so that property value will maintain 50 to 60 years down the road. Even the golf cart paths are concrete.

 

"The roads at The Island are thick interstate-grade concrete, and won't deteriorate like a blacktop road. The land is being preserved. Everywhere you look today, standards are going down in every aspect of our lives, but we have maintained our standards here, and we have awesome weather, water, trees and fertile soil as well," states John Higdon, Board Member of A. Wilbert's Sons, LLC.

 

The Wilberts' dedication, and commitment to excellence and quality continues to make The Island one of the most desirable residential golf communities in the South!