Avoca Island facts for kids
Avoca Island is a special island located near Morgan City, Louisiana, in the United States. It's found right off the Intracoastal Waterway in the Morgan City Bayous. This island is a home for many different wildlife species.
Over time, parts of Avoca Island have become more developed as the nearby city has grown. You might be surprised to learn that more than 400 cattle live on the island! Even the famous frontiersman Jim Bowie once herded cattle here way back in the 1800s.
A Look Back in Time
Avoca Island has an interesting history. In 1870, a man named John Thompson received Avoca Island as a "land bounty." This was a special gift of land given by the government, often to people who had served their country. For example, soldiers who fought in the Civil War were sometimes given land rights.
John Thompson and his family lived on the island, working as fishers, hunters, and trappers. They made their living from the land until John passed away in 1915. After his death, his wife found it hard to pay the taxes on the land, and sadly, the family lost ownership of it.
The island is also home to the Avoca Duck Club, which was started in 1937. This club is likely a place for people who enjoy duck hunting.
Oil and Modern Times
Later, something big happened on Avoca Island: oil was discovered! After this discovery, some of the people who lived on the island, especially African American residents, were asked to leave, and their homes were taken down. Oil companies then began to drill for oil on the island.
Today, Avoca Island has only one permanent resident. A special ferry helps people get on and off the island. Besides the oil companies, a few private hunting clubs also have interests on the island.
See also
In Spanish: Isla Avoca para niños
