Louisianans are proud of our accomplishments – and rightfully so! These charming towns have unique claims to fame, and they’ve earned themselves some interesting nicknames. Today, we’re featuring some towns and cities around the Pelican State that have some of the most interesting nicknames you’ve ever heard.
- Gueydan: The Duck Capital of America
Wikimedia Gueydan is a peaceful little town in Vermilion Parish that’s become nationally recognized for its plentiful waterfowl hunting opportunities. The annual Duck Festival is held on the weekend before Labor Day. Founded in 1976, this unique festival features calling contests, skeet shooting contests, dog trials, carnival rides, and much more.
- Dubach: The Dogtrot Capital of the World
Wikimedia This tiny town in Lincoln Parish got its nickname due to the many dogtrot houses in the area. Also known as a breezeway house, this style of architecture was common in the southeastern part of the country during the 19th and 20th centuries. The breezeway that runs through the center of the house helps keep the temperatures indoors down during the hot summer months.
- Gonzales: The Jambalaya Capital of the World
Dennis Amith/Flickr Just on the outskirts of Baton Rouge lies Gonzales. This city became famous for its annual Jambalaya Festival, which has been celebrated since 1968.
- Slidell: The Camellia City
Sharon LD/Trip Advisor This lovely city on the Northshore boasts some incredible camellia gardens peppered throughout the city that come alive in the spring, so it makes sense that they’ve been nicknamed “The Camellia City.”
- Jennings: Cradle of Louisiana Oil
WorldTravella/Trip Advisor Located between Lafayette and Lake Charles, the state’s first oil well was built in Jennings in 1901, thus giving it the nickname of “The Cradle of Louisiana Oil.”
- Breaux Bridge: The Crawfish Capital of the World
Visit Breaux Bridge/Facebook Nestled in the heart of Cajun Country, Breaux Bridge and crawfish have a long history together. Restaurants in Breaux Bridge were the first to offer crawfish on their menus, and the iconic crawfish étouffée was actually created in Breaux Bridge. In 1959, the Louisiana legislature officially named Breaux Bridge as the “Crawfish Capital of the World” in honor of its centennial celebration.
- Lecompte: The Pie Capital of Louisiana
Dallas S./Trip Advisor This charming town in Rapides Parish is home to the famous Lea’s Lunchroom, a roadside diner that’s been around since 1928. Nationally recognized for their homemade pies, it makes sense that in 2001, the Louisiana legislature proclaimed Lecompte the “Pie Capital of Louisiana.” You can learn more about Lea’s Lunchroom in our feature article here.
- Des Allemands: The Catfish Capital of the Universe
Wikimedia Nestled along the Bayou Des Allemandes, Des Allemands is known for its annual Catfish Festival, which attracts hundreds of hungry visitors every June. Fun fact: “Des Allemands” means “the Germans” in French.
- Ponchatoula: The Strawberry Capital of the World
Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival/Facebook This historic little city in Tangipahoa Parish was originally established as a mining camp in the 1820s. At the turn of the 20th century, commercial farming became the primary industry, with strawberries being the major crop. The city hosts the Strawberry Festival every April, which is the second largest event in the state (after Mardi Gras, of course).
- Rayne: The Frog Capital of the World
Eyes on Rayne/Facebook Rayne is very proud of their frog history, and you’ll notice it from the moment you arrive. In the 1900s, Rayne was a huge exporter of frog legs, exporting to restaurants all over the country. One interesting attraction to visit in Rayne is St. Joseph Cemetery, which is the only cemetery in the country that faces north-south instead of east-west.
Have you been to any of these towns and cities? Let us know in the comments below!
Wikimedia
Gueydan is a peaceful little town in Vermilion Parish that’s become nationally recognized for its plentiful waterfowl hunting opportunities. The annual Duck Festival is held on the weekend before Labor Day. Founded in 1976, this unique festival features calling contests, skeet shooting contests, dog trials, carnival rides, and much more.
Wikimedia
This tiny town in Lincoln Parish got its nickname due to the many dogtrot houses in the area. Also known as a breezeway house, this style of architecture was common in the southeastern part of the country during the 19th and 20th centuries. The breezeway that runs through the center of the house helps keep the temperatures indoors down during the hot summer months.
Dennis Amith/Flickr
Just on the outskirts of Baton Rouge lies Gonzales. This city became famous for its annual Jambalaya Festival, which has been celebrated since 1968.
Sharon LD/Trip Advisor
This lovely city on the Northshore boasts some incredible camellia gardens peppered throughout the city that come alive in the spring, so it makes sense that they’ve been nicknamed “The Camellia City.”
WorldTravella/Trip Advisor
Located between Lafayette and Lake Charles, the state’s first oil well was built in Jennings in 1901, thus giving it the nickname of “The Cradle of Louisiana Oil.”
Visit Breaux Bridge/Facebook
Nestled in the heart of Cajun Country, Breaux Bridge and crawfish have a long history together. Restaurants in Breaux Bridge were the first to offer crawfish on their menus, and the iconic crawfish étouffée was actually created in Breaux Bridge. In 1959, the Louisiana legislature officially named Breaux Bridge as the “Crawfish Capital of the World” in honor of its centennial celebration.
Dallas S./Trip Advisor
This charming town in Rapides Parish is home to the famous Lea’s Lunchroom, a roadside diner that’s been around since 1928. Nationally recognized for their homemade pies, it makes sense that in 2001, the Louisiana legislature proclaimed Lecompte the “Pie Capital of Louisiana.” You can learn more about Lea’s Lunchroom in our feature article here.
Nestled along the Bayou Des Allemandes, Des Allemands is known for its annual Catfish Festival, which attracts hundreds of hungry visitors every June. Fun fact: “Des Allemands” means “the Germans” in French.
Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival/Facebook
This historic little city in Tangipahoa Parish was originally established as a mining camp in the 1820s. At the turn of the 20th century, commercial farming became the primary industry, with strawberries being the major crop. The city hosts the Strawberry Festival every April, which is the second largest event in the state (after Mardi Gras, of course).
Eyes on Rayne/Facebook
Rayne is very proud of their frog history, and you’ll notice it from the moment you arrive. In the 1900s, Rayne was a huge exporter of frog legs, exporting to restaurants all over the country. One interesting attraction to visit in Rayne is St. Joseph Cemetery, which is the only cemetery in the country that faces north-south instead of east-west.
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