Landmarks of Louisiana

Famous landmarks of Louisiana

Louisiana is famous because of its unique history and heritage.  The State is known internationally for its ties to colonial Spain and France, as well as its influence as an economic trading port via New Orleans.  Like any other place, Louisiana has several famous landmarks that have become synonymous with its brand.  I came up with this list based off of a few factors.  First, the landmarks popularity in the state.  Second, the connection that people make between the landmark and the state.  You may notice that the last landmark is not a physical building.  This is because I felt that the scene was just an unmistakable part of Louisiana culture.  Here is a list of 12 landmarks in Louisiana.

1.) St. John’s Cathedral – Situated in the heart of downtown Lafayette, St. John’s Cathedral was built in the early part of the 20th century.  St. John’s Cathedral is a famous landmark for locals, but it has also gained statewide recognition and it has been placed in the National Registry of Historic buildings.

2.) St. Louis Cathedral – The Cathedral of New Orleans is probably one of the most famous pictures that you will find of New Orleans.  I think because it captures the essence of New Orleans.  New Orleans is a timeless mixture of lasting European traditions and architecture.  Rich with history, the French Quarter tells the tales of many a generation.New Orleans cathedral

3.) Evangeline Girl/Evangeline Oak – The Evangeline girl is not a widely known landmark outside of the State, but it is well-known locally.  The statue of Evangeline is located in St. Martinville just south of Lafayette.  Evangeline was a character in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem A Tale of Acadie.  It is set during the mid-19th century during the upheaval and exodus of the Acadian people.  It discusses topics of migration of the Cajun people from Nova Scotia to Louisiana, which makes it a special piece of their cultural heritage.

4.) Oak Alley – Oak Alley is by far the most well-known plantation in Louisiana. It is one of the larger Plantations and it is well-maintained.  There is a beautifully planned row of live oak trees leading up to the front door of the plantation.  The view is very typical of a 19th Century plantation home.

5.) Baton Rouge State Capital – The Baton Rouge state capitol building is definitely a strong landmark for Louisianans.  The capitol building is located in the northern part of downtown Baton Rouge.  The interior of the building is covered in multiple types of marble and granite, several of which are extinct.  The building was built in a Long-era (Huey P. Long) with the ambitious plans to become the tallest state capitol building in the United States.  It remains the tallest to this day.  Thus, it remains as one of the great landmarks of Louisiana.

6.) Louisiana Superdome – The Louisiana Superdome holds a special place in the heart and soul of the Louisiana people.  In its prime, the Superdome was the superior indoor arena in the country.  Today, it remains as one of the top arenas and most recognized in the country.  Pre-2005 the Dome was connected mostly to Tulane and the Saints, but during 2005 Hurricane Katrina forever changed the way the Superdome would be viewed.  Whether it was intended or unintended, the Superdome became associated with the struggles and tribulations that many of the people in Louisiana faced in light of Hurricane Katrina.

7.) LSU Tiger Stadium – Louisiana State University’s Tiger Stadium, also known as Death Valley, is the premier sporting event on fall Saturdays in Louisiana.  The LSU Tigers draw huge crowds from across the State and even some surrounding ones.  The stadium holds roughly 96,000 fans and is known to be one of the louder stadiums in the college football world.

8.) Horace Wilkinson Bridge – Commonly referred to as the Mississippi River Bridge, or just the bridge, the Horace Wilkinson bridge connects Baton Rouge to the western banks of the mighty Mississippi river.  It is important to Louisiana because it helped to improve commerce, industry, and even leisure driving significantly.Baton Rouge Bridge. A true Louisiana landmark

9.) Lafayette Cajundome – The Louisiana Cajundome is the second largest dome in Louisiana.  The first being the Superdome.  The Cajundome is a pinnacle symbol in the Lafayette region though because of its versatility and service to the community.  It is located next to Cajun field not too far from the University of Louisiana Lafayette.

10.) Old State Capitol Building – Famously known as the “little sham castle” thanks to legendary author Mark Twain, the Old State Capitol Building is the former building used for governmental operations before the current building (#5) was built.  It has a distinct look and is now used both as a museum and for weddings and other social events.

11.) Causeway Bridge – Causeway bridge connects New Orleans to the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain.  It is a landmark to Louisiana because it was, at one time, the largest over-water bridge in the world.  It has since been passed by at least one other.  The bridge is 24 miles in length.New Orleans causeway bridge is one of the longest bridges in the world.

12.) Scene from a swamp – There are not many places in the world where you can see a swamp.  Really, they are only found in the southern part of the United States, and most predominately in Louisiana and Florida.  The swamps of Louisiana are closely tied to the cultural history of the people and have played a big role in industry over the years.  Although the swamp is not one physical landmark per se, it is definitely a picture that one could easily associate with being a landmark of Louisiana.

 

Join the conversation by leaving a comment below!

What is your favorite landmark of Louisiana? Have you been to any of these Louisiana landmarks?

 

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3 comments

  1. Honorable mention: The Aquarium of the Americas. Do you have any others to add?

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