Grande-Plaine (English: Great Plains), also known as Grande-Plaine de Cul-de-sac, is a census designated place in the Western Department of Haiti. It comprises the first and second communal sections of Thomazeau.
Grande-Plaine, near Boucambrou Canal
Grande-Plaine 1[]
History[]
Grand-Plaine originally consisted of the 6th, 7th, and 8th sections of Croix-des-Bouquets. These areas were primarily characterized by agricultural activities, particularly sugarcane and cotton plantations. The eighth section was designated to the commune of Thomazeau upon its establishment in 1889. The State has earthen tiles on the Béon habitation, occupied by farmers. Of note is the Rendezveous habitation. The Fond-des-Chènes military post was situated in the 7th section, while the Gauthier post was located in the eighth, with the commune of Thomazeau positioned in the sixth section.
• The Lamardelle plantation, which was owned by the descendants of Normil Sambou, was the site of a reconnaissance operation in December 1802. A group of French soldiers, having left Croix-des-Bouquets, advanced to the Lamardelle barrier, where they encountered the independent forces commanded by Pétion. Following this engagement, the French troops retreated to the Jonc plantation.
• The Lassere plantation was a sugar plantation which belonged to O. Cutts, General Louis Tannis, who passed away there, Sambour, and Candelon Rigaud.
• The Péra plantation was supplied by the General Distribution Basin canal. In 1803, when Dessalines set fire to the Cul de Sac plain, groups of independents led by Gabart, carrying torches, passed through the area. A humorous remark about Mr. Plaisance, the owner of this property and Minister of Finance under President Geffrard, was that he pronounced the name of the settlement "Il paiera, il paiera!" (English:He will pay, he will pay!) to the State's creditors. After the massacre of the French in 1804, many farmers from the Péra plantation left the country and went to join their former master abroad.
On June 4, 1803, Pétion took control of it from the Marquis de Lavalette. A French blockhouse was present, and Dessalines instructed his soldiers to conduct a war of extermination against the whites while sparing the natives who supported them, stating, "They are our brothers; eventually, they will recognize their mistake."
• The Pierrot (or Pierroux) plantation was supplied with water from the General Distribution Basin canal. The property was offered for sale under the law enacted on March 10, 1814, aimed at enhancing agricultural practices and increasing land ownership.
In December, 1802, Pétion, leading the independents, established his position at Pierrot to confront the French forces at Croix des Bouquets. At 8 a.m. on the 9th, French troops from Croix des Bouquets, commanded by Gilbert Néraud, launched an attack on Pétion. The local forces successfully repelled the assault. Geffrard, Marini, and Jn. Louis François pursued the retreating French. General Gressinet, who was in command at Port Républicain, dispatched reinforcements to Néraud, who then renewed his assault on the natives with increased intensity. Under fire from grapeshot, the natives sought refuge in the large hut of Pierreux. Gilbert Nérand positioned four cannons against them, compelling them to vacate the hut. The cavalry then charged, scattering the natives, who managed to escape into the fields behind the Pierroux estate.
The French forces, hindered by the dense and perilous thorns, ceased their pursuit. Pétion made his way to Jonc, where he faced another attack. He navigated through the hills, reached la Coupe (Pétion-ville), and continued towards the Grenier settlement, ultimately heading for Léogane.
In 1803, when Dessalines set fire to the Cul de Sac plain to eliminate any refuge for the French, groups of independents, led by Gabart, emerged from Frère, traversing the settlement while armed with torches.
• On Monday, February 3rd, 1890, the Dominican President, General Ulysses Heureaux, made a stop at the Durand habitation to await the arrival of the President of Haiti, General Hippolyte, at Thomazeau, where an interview took place between the two Heads of State.
• On July 29, 1869, the Cacos de Mirebalais seized Fond des Chenes. Their column had departed by the road to Neybe.
• On January 8, 1870, President Salnave and five generals in his entourage were taken prisoner. They were handed over by Dominican General Cabral to the Haitian authorities at Fond-Ravet, a place that served as an outpost to that of Fond-des-Chenes. Salnave was taken to Port-au-Prince, where he was executed on January 15, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, on the still smoking ruins of the National Palace. The five generals of his retinue were killed the morning of the same day at Croix-des-Bouquets.
• On June 15, 1889, the Northerners were driven back to Fond Ravet; they were commanded by general Albert Salnave, the son of the president.
Locations[]
| GPD |
|---|
| Bois d'Orme, Chambrun, Dallemand, Dalman, Dumornay, Durand, Dutil, Fond-Cede, Fond-Pita, Fond-Ravet, Glore, Hatte-Cadet, Jacasse, Jondry, La Fosse, Laro, L'Etang, Matelas, Nan Lagon, Nan Tête Source, Permigot, Terre St-Louis, Trou-Caïman. |
Geography[]
Neighboring sections
| Northwest 4e Crochus |
North  N3e Grand Boucan 4e Crète Brulée, MIR, CE Central Dept. |
Northeast 3e Trou-d'Eau 1re Plaine-Céleste, CON |
|---|---|---|
| West S 2e Varreux, CDB |
1re Grande-Plaine Thomazeau |
East Jimani, D.R.   |
| Southwest 5e Petit-Bois, CDB |
South
2e Grande-Plaine |
Southeast 2e Balan, GAN |
Grande Plaine 2[]
Locations[]
| GPL |
|---|
| Bois Nicolas, Brene, Cotin, Cottard, Coutard, Despuzeau, Dimulseau, Drouillard, Jouanau, La Perrière, Mergeron, Nan Raquette, Pont Janvier. |
Geography[]
Neighboring sections
1re Grande-Plaine Ville de Thomazeau |
||
|---|---|---|
West 
5e Petit-Bois, CDB |
2e Grande-Plaine Thomazeau |
East
2e Balan, GAN |
| Southwest
4e Petit Bois, CDB |
South
1re Galette-Chambon, CDB |
Sectional map of Grande-Plaine, the second section of Thomazeau, Haiti
History[]
• In 1872, General Brice had established sugar factories there on the Merceron habitation.
• On July 4, 1909, a Sunday, President Antoine Simon was almost the victim of an accident on the PCS while he went to Ganthier to attend the Saint-Pierre Celebration. There were 10 dead 18 injured.
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