Pierre Part, Louisiana

Pierre Part, Louisiana
Pierre Part is a census-designated place (CDP) in Assumption Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 3,169 at the 2010 census, making it the most populous community in Assumption Parish. With 39.3 percent of the population speaking French at home, Pierre Part is the most French town in the United States (by percentage) outside of Maine. Pierre Part is known locally for its prominent French influence and ancestry, which have become significant aspects of its contemporary local culture. Situated near Lake Verret, Pierre Part is a popular local destination for water sports and fishing during the summer.
History
Pierre Part was founded by Acadian French settlers after the Great Upheaval of 1755, during which much of the French population of Acadia was expelled by its British conquerors. The town remained isolated from most of the world, since it was surrounded by water and was inaccessible by land until the mid-twentieth century. Before the Great Depression, the inhabitants of Pierre Part were fishermen; after the Depression, many men of the town were forced to find work in other fields including logging, levee building, and the growing petroleum industry in Louisiana. Fewer people continue the traditional ways of fishing and living off the land with each generation.
Pierre Part experienced flooding when the Morganza Spillway was opened during the 1973 Mississippi River flooding.
The History Channel's reality show, Swamp People, features the Landry family, a Cajun family who lives in Pierre Part; the series debuted on History in 2010.
On August 3, 2012, the Bayou Corne Sinkhole, situated roughly 3 miles from Pierre Part, appeared. In areas of Pierre Part near the sinkhole, residents reported gaseous odors and strange bubbling in local waterways, prompting Governor Bobby Jindal to issue an evacuation order for the nearby community of Bayou Corne. The sinkhole expanded significantly during the months after it first appeared, invoking fear in residents of Pierre Part due to what was perceived to be an imminent threat to the community. Significantly, the sinkhole continued to grow in the direction of Louisiana Highway 70, the main highway on which most residents drove. Public outrage to the events in Bayou Corne was largely directed towards Texas Brine Company, the salt mining company perceived to be chiefly responsible for the disaster; a class-action lawsuit against Texas Brine ensued. However, a 2018 court ruling declared the fault to be shared between three companies: Occidental Chemical was 50% at fault, Texas Brine was 35% at fault, and Vulcan was 15% at fault. As of 2019, the sinkhole continues to expand, albeit slowly, and the community of Bayou Corne remains deserted, with most homes demolished by demolition companies.
Geography
Pierre Part is located at (29.960975, -91.206612). According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , of which is land and , or 0.37%, is water.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,024 people, 1,099 households, and 625 families residing in the CDP.
Education
Pierre Part is part of the Assumption Parish public school system.
Pierre Part Primary School
Pierre Part Middle School
Assumption High School (located in Napoleonville)
Transportation
Louisiana Highway 70 runs through Pierre Part and serves as its main highway. Other highways that serve the community include Louisiana 997, Louisiana 1015-1, Louisiana 1015-2, Louisiana 1016-1, and Louisiana 1016-2.
Notable People
Karen St. Germain, Democratic politician and former member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
Troy Landry, TV personality starring in Swamp People. Nicknamed "King of the Swamp" in the series.
References
Census-designated places in Louisiana
Census-designated places in Assumption Parish, Louisiana
Populated places established in 1755