Holly Beach, Louisiana


Holly Beach, also known as the "Cajun Riviera", is a coastal community in unincorporated community Cameron Parish, Louisiana, United States.
Known for crabbing and a drive on the beach, this small Southwest Louisiana community mainly consisted of beach-front cabins called "camps" which, due to the threat of hurricanes, were "built-to-be-rebuilt" by its residents. It is part of the Lake Charles metropolitan area, which has a population of 194,138.

History

In September 2005 Hurricane Rita completely leveled the small beach town. Almost nothing was left but ruins and the water tower. This was the second time Holly Beach was devastated by a hurricane; in 1957 Hurricane Audrey smashed ashore with a 12 foot storm surge.
Current residents must sign a waiver which allows them to dwell there, despite the lack of a functioning sewer system which is a concern to the state’s department of health. It became common to see portable toilets on the community’s road sides. For new structures in Cameron Parish, the new building codes apply. In nearby Cameron, according to the parish officials, the coastal buildings built before the late 1980s that had less than fifty percent damage may retain the same pre-Rita elevation.
It was feared that these strict building codes, along with the high insurance costs, would keep many of the original locals from returning and rebuilding, and that the southern part of the parish would end up with temporary trailer type housing indefinitely. Within Holly Beach, there are several permanent structures being built, with pier elevations complying with building codes.
In September 2008, Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike reflooded the area.
Population prior to Rita: Approximately 300

Geography

Holly Beach is located 10 miles west of Cameron and 12 miles east of Johnson Bayou.

Climate

Holly Beach has a humid subtropical climate.

Culture

In 1991, the town was the subject of the swamp pop song " Under the Boardwalk" by Kenny Tibbs and The Jokers, released on Jin Records. In a parody of the 1960s hit "Under the Boardwalk" by The Drifters, the lyrics explain that cajun vacationers "ain't got no boardwalk, just got seaweed, but we always pass a real good time at Holly Beach."
The cultural importance of Holly Beach—at one time a social and musical hub for vacationing Cajuns—is documented in at least two classic Cajun French songs, "La Valse de Holly Beach" by Nathan Abshire, and "Laisse les Bons Temps Rouler" by Lawrence Walker. The latter song includes the lyric, "Je t'ai trouvé dans les grandes meches /
Et j't'ai ramené à Holly Beach /
Les maringouins sont après manger /
Mais laisse les bons temps rouler".