Bayou Latenache, Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bayou Latenache, Louisiana
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Ghost town
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 Bayou Latenache, Louisiana
Location in Louisiana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
Bayou Latenache was once a small community in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, in the United States. Today, it is known as a ghost town, meaning it no longer has people living there.
Contents
What's in a Name? The Story of Latenache
Have you ever wondered how places get their names? For Bayou Latenache, there are two interesting ideas.
French or Native American Roots?
One idea is that the name comes from the French word Latanier. This word means fan palm, which is a type of tree that grows in the area. So, maybe the first settlers saw these palms and named the place after them.
Another idea is that the name comes from the Choctaw language. The Choctaw people are a Native American tribe. In their language, the phrase Latimo-hacha means Boggy river. A "boggy river" is one that is very muddy or swampy. This also makes sense because Louisiana has many swampy areas.
A Flood, a Hero, and Land Claims
The history of Bayou Latenache includes a big flood and a famous hero from the American War of Independence.
The Great Flood of 1779
Around the year 1779, a huge flood hit the village of Bayou Latenache. This flood was so powerful that it destroyed the community. Most of the people who lived there had to leave. They moved to other nearby towns to find new homes.
Land for a War Hero
Years later, in 1810, the young American Government wanted to thank a French hero named Marquis de Lafayette. He had helped the United States win its independence during the American War of Independence. To show their gratitude, the government gave him a lot of land in the Bayou Latenache area. These land grants were officially signed by President James Madison.
Old Settlers and New Claims
However, there was a problem. Many of the people who had lived in Bayou Latenache before the flood still believed the land was theirs. They had owned it before Lafayette was given the grants. So, these old settlers filed official complaints against Lafayette and the government. The U.S. government listened to their claims. They agreed that the previous landowners had a right to the land. Because of this, the original settlers were given new land grants, making sure they had a place to live.
