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  There are many stories regarding the origin of the name Mamou. One was the legendary Indian, Chief Mamou.[citation needed] It is certain that this vast prairie was known as Mamou Prairie as far back as the 18th century and that Anglo-Americans first called it 'Mammouth Prairie' because of its immense size. When the French came, they called it 'Mamou' for mammoth. The name "Mamou", contrary to folklore, is a family name found in France.
Within this vast stretch of prairie, the town site of Mamou was platted in 1907 by Curley C. Duson of Eunice. He was president of the Mamou Town Site Company which opened an office on the corner of Seventh and Chestnut. Lot auctions were held weekly and lots were sold for $50. The original village covered one square mile. On January 11, 1911 Mamou was incorporated.
Cotton was the major crop for many years on the prairie. By 1915, the village boasted four cotton gins producing thousands of bales of cotton; however, the decline in the demand for cotton led local farmers toward the growing of rice that is now the major crop of the area.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamou,_Louisiana