Bayou Chene, Louisiana facts for kids

Bayou Chene (pronounced "BY-you SHEN") was once a small community in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, in the Atchafalaya Basin. Its name means Oak Bayou in French. Today, this historic place is mostly covered by water and silt.

What Was Bayou Chene Like?

Bayou Chene was settled in the 1830s. It was about 40 miles north of Morgan City. People built a church, a school, a store, and a post office there. These were all located right on the bayou.

Who Lived in Bayou Chene?

By the 1920s, about 500 people lived in Bayou Chene. Many families had lived there for generations. They came from different parts of Louisiana and other states. The residents had many jobs. They were swampers, lumberjacks, trappers, farmers, fishermen, and even moss pickers.

Why Did Bayou Chene Disappear?

Bayou Chene faced challenges, especially from floods. The community was hit hard by the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. This huge flood destroyed much of the town. People worked hard to rebuild.

However, more problems came. New levees (walls to hold back water) were built for the Atchafalaya Spillway. River channels were also dug deeper. These changes caused repeated flooding in Bayou Chene.

Because of the floods, the school had to move to higher ground in 1945. It closed completely in 1953. The post office also closed in 1952. Most residents left Bayou Chene around this time. Today, the original community lies under about 12 feet of silt.

Famous People From Bayou Chene

U.S. Army Medic Eugene Roe was born in Bayou Chene. He was a real person who served in World War II. His story was shown in the 2001 miniseries Band of Brothers. This show was created by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.