| Grand Lake, Louisiana | |
| Settlement Type: | Unincorporated community |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Louisiana |
| Subdivision Type3: | Parish |
| Subdivision Name3: | Cameron |
| Pushpin Map: | Louisiana |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of Grand Lake in Louisiana |
| Coordinates: | 30.0156°N -93.1886°W |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone1: | CST |
| Utc Offset1: | -6 |
| Timezone1 Dst: | CDT |
| Utc Offset1 Dst: | -5 |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP Code |
| Postal Code: | 70607 |
| Area Code: | 337 |
Grand Lake is an unincorporated community in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, United States.
Grand Lake is located along Louisiana Highway 384, south of Lake Charles. It is within a section of the Creole Nature Trail, an All-American Road.
From spring to summer, rice, soybean, rye grass, and sugar cane are commonly found in fields throughout the community. In fall and winter, migrating waterfowl are abundant.
Grand Lake Pontoon Bridge on Hwy 384 (Grand Lake) crosses the Intracoastal Waterway onto the island of Big Lake.The pontoon bridge has no vertical clearance in the closed-to-navigation position. In 2003, the bridge normally opened to pass navigation an average of 1005 times a month. In accordance with 33 CFR 117.5, the bridge opens on signal for the passage of vessels.[1]
Boone's Corner, located at 605 Highway 384, has long been a reference point for visitors passing through Grand Lake.
In June 1896, 45 students were enrolled in school with Martin Hebert, teacher.Considerable cotton was being raised, rice acreage was double that of the previous year, and sweet potatoes were being raised.
From 1905 until 1930 the steamer "Borealis Rex," ran excursions three times a week from Lake Charles to Leesburg (Cameron) for 75 cents, round trip. Grand Lake was a stopping point between the two cities until 1930, when the first road was built through Grand Lake, connecting Calcasieu to Cameron.[2]
Grand Lake School is a primary and secondary public school run by the Cameron Parish School Board with grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12. It is located on Louisiana Highway 384.Sports include Football, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Rodeo, and Track. The mascot is a Hornet. When Hurricane Rita exited Cameron Parish on September 24, 2005, only three of Cameron Parish's six schools - Grand Lake School, Hackberry High School and Johnson Bayou School were still standing. Students from the totally destroyed coastal schools of South Cameron High School, Cameron Elementary School and South Cameron Elementary School relocated and shared space at the Grand Lake School site.
2009 - 2010 school year; Students: 749 Teachers 62[3]
In 2009 the school joined the advisory committee of National FFA Organization's National Quality Program Standards.[4]
In November 2010, the state of Louisiana approved disaster recovery funds for infrastructure improvement projects with $9,054,344 going to Grand Lake High School for an addition to the Career and Technology Center, installation of two new emergency generators, renovations to the gym and cafeteria, construction of a pre-K playground, the addition of a new track facility and enhancements to the softball field.[5]
By 2011 Grand Lake evolved from a rural setting to a more suburban setting.
In a 2011 - 2012 Gap Statement: African American students' ELA (English and Language Arts) performance consistently decreased from 2008-2011 (88.9% - 72.7% — 60% ~ 36.4%). Students with Disabilities ELA performance decreased from 52.5% to 33.4% Cause for Gap: In 2005 and 2008, Grand Lake High School and the community were adversely impacted by Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Ike respectively. In both years, students missed extended periods of instructional time and many students were living in temporary housing.[6]
The Cameron Parish Library system operates the Grand Lake Branch.[7]
Louisiana Cooperative Extension Services 10086 Gulf Hwy. (Grand Lake)