Last Island, Louisiana

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Last Island (also called Isle Derniere) is a barrier island and was a pleasure resort southwest of New Orleans on the south shore of Louisiana, USA. It was utterly destroyed by the Last Island Hurricane of August 11, 1856. The highest points were under 5 ft (1.5 m) of water. The resort hotel and surrounding gambling establishments were destroyed, over 200 people perished, and the island was left void of vegetation and split in half.

Last Island was south of Dulac, Louisiana, between Lake Pelto, Caillou Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Last Island was a popular resort for people seeking to escape the humidity, illness, and insects of southern Louisiana. A resort hotel, several gambling establishments, and approximately one hundred houses had been constructed there, despite the fact it was a barrier island and the highest point was no more than 5 ft (1.5 m) above sea level. This island, as well as the hurricane were described by Lafcadio Hearn in his novella, Chita, A Memory of Last Island.

Last Island is now a haven for pelicans and other seabirds.