"The Pelican State"

Welcome to Louisiana

Louisiana/Mississippi border on I-55
October 12, 2006

It's impossible to think of Louisiana these days without conjuring up some image of hurricane-damaged New Orleans. While the Big Easy received the bulk of the media attention, the entire coast of Louisiana, as well as Mississippi, also felt Katrina's wrath. I actually made a quick sidetrip down to New Orleans, and there were still parts of the city that were in need of repairs. Although the French Quarter seemed to be almost back to normal, you have to drive through neighborhoods that still have windows boarded up and debris in the front yards. But the people I met didn't seem to dwell on the past, but rather look to the future and point to the "New Orleans revival." Even in mid October, I was shocked at how humid it was and couldn't imagine the weather in the summer. Driving along I-10, it was amazing to see the stretches of swamp as far as the eye could see, and the various bayous were a unique experience.

Mon Dieu, this is a boring sign. I really like the English and French translations on the sign, but that's about where my interest ends. The fleur-de-lis seems like an obvious choice, again paying homage to the state's French/Cajun heritage. I feel it needs something more, perhaps an outline of the state between the two phrases or a pelican for the state's nickname. I should say this sign was right off the highway which made for an easy stop, although it is very high off the ground for some reason. I was also a little nervous I might step on a crocodile in the bottom of the ditch in which I'm standing.

Welcome to Baton Rouge

October 12, 2006

For the time being, Baton Rouge is both the capital and the largest city in the state of New Orleans. Due to the high number of displaces people, Baton Rouge passed New Orleans in population in 2005, and probably will remain as such for some time. The city is in a great location right along the Mississippi River, yet isn't exactly located in the heart of the state as capitals tend to be. The city has a vibe of being a lot smaller than a 225,000-person town should, but it probably is more spread out than most cities. Baton Rouge is also obsessed with LSU football, and it nearly grinds to a halt on gamedays.

Needless to say, this capitol is unconventional. Conceived by Huey Long back in the 1930s, the Louisiana capitol is a 34 story office building that is the tallest capitol building in the country. Long campaigned on replacing the existing capitol, which resembled a medieval European palace, with something more practical. Since I didn't take the tour, I was curious to know where the house and senate chambers are located. I would guess they are located in the base, but they could very well be in the tower. (UPDATE: Emailer Branson informed me they are located in the wings of the building.) The capitol is located on a huge plot of land along the Mississippi, which includes various plant species and a small lake north of the building. I must say that choosing a design that doesn't mimic the U.S. Capitol makes a more memorable impression and helps the state stand out among the others.

Miscellaneous Louisiana Symbols

State Route Sign

License Plate

Seal

Quarter