Houma, Louisiana

Houma, pronounced “HOME-UH,” Louisiana was founded in 1834 and incorporated in 1848. It is the parish seat of Terrebonne, the fifth largest parish in Louisiana. The city is named after the historic United Nation of Houma, a Native American people belonging to the area. It is now home to a population of about 33,000 people of European, African, Caribbean, and Native-American descent.

Houma is known for its diverse, colorful Cajun culture. Often touted as “The Heart of America's Wetland," the city is famous for its immersive wildlife attractions, Cajun music and food, Mardi Gras celebrations, charter boat fishing, and more! Its close proximity to numerous bayous and bays make it a prime destination for explorers. The survey plat below illustrates a township in Houma, LA in 1855. There are several bayous and swamps scattered throughout the area.

Terrebonne Bay, Timbalier Bay and the open expanses of the Gulf of Mexico are all nearby, making Houma a prime area for fishing. One of the cities main attractions is its swamp tours. Tourists can admire the beauty of the swamp, learn more about its ecosystem and history, and catch some animal friends in their natural habitat.

Louisiana’s first swamp boat business was founded by Annie Miller in 1980. Annie was born west of Houma, on the Bayou Black River and grew up hunting, fishing, and making her living from the land. When Annie was a child, the Bayou maintained its rich ecosystem, but as she got older, she noticed the wildlife she once knew slowly deteriorating. She made it her mission to be an advocate for the preservation of the swamp and its inhabitants. Her swamp tour became a massive success, spearheading the booming tourism industry in Houma.

Many other swamp tours would follow in her footsteps, yet Annie’s appeal reigned supreme. She had perfected the swamp tour with her charismatic personality, extensive knowledge of the land, and her amusing interactions with the inhabitants of the swamp. The alligators would swim to her boat when she called them by name like they were her children. Annie’s success at attracting tourists to Terrebonne led the local government to declare sections of the marsh and bayous as "alligator preserves."

Annie’s legacy lives on through her two sons who have continued the swamp tour in her honor after her passing in 2004. On the tour, starting at Bayou Black, visitors hear legendary stories about "Alligator Annie" and learn about Louisiana vegetation and wildlife on a delightful boat trip along the swamp.