Port Eads, Louisiana

Port Eads, Louisiana, is located at the southern tip of the Mississippi River, also known as South Pass in Plaquemines Parish.

History

James Buchanan Eads

The Mississippi River in the 100-mile-plus stretch between the port of New Orleans, Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico frequently suffered from silting up of its outlets, stranding ships or making parts of the river unnavigable for a period of time. Starting in 1876, James Buchanan Eads (1820–1887) solved the problem with a wooden jetty system that narrowed the main outlet of the river. This caused the river to speed up and cut its channel deeper, so allowing year-round navigation and safe access to the river for large steamers. In the twenty years following the completion of the jetties, trade at New Orleans doubled. Eads was thus honored by having the port at South Pass named after him.

Hurricane Katrina

The port was completely devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Very little remained except the lighthouse and a few very lucky fishing camps. Two persons attempted to ride out the storm there, but they were not heard from again.