Ancienne usine centrale

Ruins of the old factory

Founded in 1865 by Emile Bougenot, this factory was the economic lifeblood of the city during its 100 years of operation. In 1900, a major strike broke out. The strike was initiated by workers from the Sainte-Marie plantations before spreading to other towns in the south. The workers, mostly sugarcane cutters, demanded a wage of 2 francs—a request that was denied. Tensions rose, and the situation escalated when military troops intervened. A shootout broke out, resulting in the deaths of 10 workers on February 8, 1900. This tragic event left a deep mark on the social history of Martinique, illustrating the harsh reality of labor struggles and the repression suffered by colonized workers at that time. The steam mills are the last remaining vestiges of the factory.

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