Delacroix, Louisiana

The community was originally established by Canary Islander colonists during the late 18th century. The area was named La Isla (The Island) and continues to be known as such by many Isleños, particularly those who know Spanish as a first language. On July 3, 1894, the community was renamed to L'île de la Croix after its landowner the Countess Pauline Stéphanie de Livaudais du Suan de la Croix. This name was adjusted later into the English name for the community Delacroix or Delacroix Island. In St. Bernard Parish, the community often is referred to informally as "the Island". ==History==

Beginning in 1779, the Spanish government began settling Canary Islanders along Bayou Terre-aux-Boeufs and throughout the state of Louisiana to defend New Orleans and the territory against Great Britain. This original settlement was known as the Población de San Bernardo (St. Bernard Population) and was composed of smaller establecimientos (establishments) or puestos (posts). During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the seafood from Delacroix and other Isleño fishing communities supplied many restaurants in New Orleans. Two years later, over one thousand people, mostly Isleños, perished from the Spanish flu pandemic and were buried at a mass burial site in the St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery. The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and dynamiting of the Mississippi River levee at Caernarvon left the community completely flooded. trappers from Delacroix drinking after the sale of animal pelts. Due in large measure to the isolation of Delacroix, many Isleño customs and traditions were preserved by community members into the later half of the twentieth century. Also of note, the former Prime Minister of Spain Adolfo Suárez visited the community. In 1965, Hurricane Betsy leveled much of the community once again. Following this, the visibility and practice of Isleño culture diminished substantially. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina completely devastated the region and reshaped the community entirely. Only a small number of the original inhabitants of Delacroix returned to the community. == Geography ==

Delacroix is located in southeastern Louisiana on the Mississippi River Delta. The community lies on top of a thin strip of sandy meander belt deposits from the Plaquemines and Balize delta lobes which formed over the last 1,500 years. These deposits are built upon alluvium from the St. Bernard delta lobe which dates to between 4,000 and 2,000 years ago. This material contains clay, mud, sand, peat, and silt. Although the community is popularly referred to as "Delacroix Island", or simply "the Island", the community is not an island at all. Delacroix is located southeast of Lake Lery and along Bayou Terre-aux-Boeufs which is divided between St. Bernard Parish and Plaquemines Parish. Bayou Lery also bisects Delacroix and joins Bayou Terre-aux-Boeufs from the northwest. construction. The buildings and residences of Delacroix are situated on the eastern bank of Bayou Terre-aux-Boeufs which is backed by a levee. ==Demographics==

Delacroix first appeared as a census designated place in the 2020 U.S. census. In 2020, the CDP had a population of 48, and 62.50% were non-Hispanic white, 2.08% multiracial, and 35.42% Hispanic or Latino of any race. == Economy ==

The local economy is largely dependent upon recreational fishermen and hunters as well as ecotourism. This being said, some measure of professional fishing still remains in Delacroix. == Culture and contemporary life ==

Today, only a small handful of the original inhabitants of Delacroix reside in the community. Large processions of highly decorated boats can be seen traveling along Bayou Terre-aux-Boeufs during the event. ==In popular culture==

• Musician Bob Dylan refers to the community in the song "Tangled Up in Blue". • The television series Supernatural refers to Delacroix and its fishing culture in the episode "Two Minutes to Midnight". • Delacroix was featured in the documentary film Rodents of Unusual Size in 2017. • The 2021 television miniseries The Falcon and the Winter Soldier sets Delacroix as the home of Sam Wilson and his sister Sarah. == Notable people ==

• Irván "Puco" Pérez • Joseph "Chelito" Campo • Manuel Molero • Mabel Isabel (Molero) Quatroy ==References==