The Oleander Hotel—a two-story landmark that has weathered nearly a century of storms on Louisiana’s only inhabited barrier island—has officially been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

This designation marks a major milestone in the campaign to preserve and restore one of Grand Isle’s last historic hotels.

A Rare Piece of Louisiana’s Coastal Heritage

On July 25, the Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation confirmed the Oleander’s listing, recognizing it as a rare example of Louisiana Coastal Vernacular architecture—a style that has nearly vanished from the island due to repeated hurricanes and modern development.

“This is a huge step forward in our effort to restore the Oleander Hotel as a visitor and cultural center,” said Mayor David Camardelle. “We’re so grateful to everyone who has supported this project—from community members to major donors—and especially thankful to Allyson Hinz, who worked closely with Restore Grand Isle to prepare the nomination.”

History of the Oleander Hotel

• Opened in April 1929 by Grand Isle resident John Ludwig.
• Local legend says Governor Huey P. Long promised Ludwig: “If you build a hotel, I will build a road.”
• Just two years later, Louisiana Highway 1 connected Grand Isle to the mainland.
• Operated for decades before closing in the 1990s.
• Today, it stands as the sole surviving historic hotel from Grand Isle’s early resort era.
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The Restoration Effort

Restore Grand Isle, the nonprofit leading the project, plans to transform the Oleander into a:



✔️ Visitor center

✔️ Museum

✔️ Community space celebrating Grand Isle’s culture and resilience

So far, $293,000 has been raised toward the $400,000 goal—leaving just $107,000 to go before renovations can begin.

“Being listed on the National Register brings national recognition and opens doors for state and federal support,” said Ronnie Sampey, executive director of Restore Grand Isle. “This project will be a major boost for the island and help us preserve a symbol of Louisiana history, architecture, and coastal resilience for future generations.”

September

September 6 – Hargrove Foundation Rodeo, Grand Isle Marina

September 8-10 – ABC Fishing Rodeo – Grand Isle Marina

September 20 – Movie night, Grand Isle State Park

September 26-28 – Caminada Redfish Rodeo, Grand Isle Marina

October

October 10-11 – GI Ladies Rodeo, Bridge Side Marina (Sponsored by the GI Community Development Team) https://grandisleevents.org/

October 14-16 – Bayou Coast Falling Tide Kayak Tournament, Bridge Side Marina

October 25 – Pumpkin Patch, G.I. State Park, (time TBA)

TBA – FOGI Gumbo Cookout, Grand Isle Multiplex

🔗 More info: Grand Isle Events

EVENT SPOTLIGHT: GRAND ISLE LADIES RODEO

A great party for a great cause! The 17th Annual Grand Isle Ladies Fishing Rodeo will be held Columbus Day Weekend, October 10–11, 2025.

This event has raised over $250,000 to support four local agencies providing services to people with breast cancer, including Terrebonne General, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Thibodaux Regional Health Center, and Lady of the Sea General Hospital. Great event for an even greater cause! More info at: Ladies Fishing Rodeo

The Grand Isle Garden Club is raising funds to purchase a bush hog—a much-needed tool that will help us clean and maintain the Iris Bog for years to come.

Your support will go a long way in preserving this special natural space on the island.

A Blooming Success 🌱

This project has already been an enormous success thanks to partnerships with:

• Louisiana Iris Conservation Initiative
• The Nature Conservancy

Together, we’ve made major strides in bringing the Louisiana iris back to Grand Isle!

💚 Donate Today! Click on the link or call Ronnie at

Help us continue this important work and keep the Iris Bog thriving for future generations.

👉 Make Your Gift Here

A new brand campaign, Grand Isle Jewel Off-Bottom Oysters, is putting the island’s boutique oysters on the map. The initiative unites local farmers, JEDCO, LED, Louisiana Sea Grant, and the Grand Isle Port Commission to celebrate and market a sustainable aquaculture practice born in Grand Isle and now used across the U.S. and beyond. With strong community partnerships, this effort is reviving oyster farming, boosting resilience, and showcasing Grand Isle’s unique seafood heritage.

👉 Read the full story here