Louisiana has made its mark in several areas, with music and food being at the forefront; however, the Pelican State has many claims to fame, and you might be surprised to learn some of the unique moments in Louisiana's rich history. Here are some fun facts about Louisiana you may be shocked to learn:
1. Louisiana is home to one of only two moving National Streetcar Monuments in the country.
Opened in 1835, the St. Charles Streetcar Line in New Orleans has a few claims to fame. Not only is it the oldest continuously operating streetcar in the world, but its addition to the National Historic Landmark in 2014 also made it one of only two moving National Historic Landmarks in the country, the other being the San Francisco cable car system.
2. The 1st Louisiana Native Guard was one of the first all-black regiments to fight for the Union Army during the Civil War.
Based in New Orleans and composed mostly of former slaves who had escaped to join the Union cause, the regiment played a huge role in the Siege of Port Hudson.
3. Louisiana is only one of two states that don’t use “counties.”
You probably know that Louisiana uses parishes, but you may be surprised to learn that Alaska joins us in the no-county department, as they use "boroughs" to divide the state.
4. The highest natural point in Louisiana is only 535 feet tall.
For comparison, Mount Denali, the tallest mountain in the country, clocks in at a staggering 20,310 feet. Driskill Mountain is the tallest natural summit in the state, and you can take the one-mile trail straight to the top for some incredible (and rare) treetop views.
5. The Louisiana State Capitol is the tallest state capitol in the United States.
Towering at 450 feet, it’s also the tallest building in Baton Rouge and one of the top 10 tallest buildings in the state.
6. The first opera in America took place in New Orleans.
Music runs deep in the heart of the Big Easy! André Ernest Grétry's "Sylvain" was presented at the Theatre St. Pierre in New Orleans on May 22, 1796, and is known to be the first opera ever held in the country.
7. Louisiana is home to the oldest state-supported arboretum in the country.
Established in 1961, the Louisiana State Arboretum was an effort largely pushed by Caroline Dormon, who’ll you’ll hear more about in a moment. The 600-acre arboretum is home to over 150 species of native plant life, including magnolia, oak, and giant beech trees. The trail system at the arboretum is a great adventure that even the little ones will enjoy.
8. The first woman hired by the United States Forestry Service was from Louisiana.
If you like Louisiana’s natural scenery, particularly in the central part of the state, you can thank Caroline Dormon. Born in Natchitoches Parish, Dormon was a successful botanist, historian, archeologist, naturalist, and conservationist (just to name a few). She was hired to the Louisiana Forestry Department in 1921, and was instrumental in establishing a national forest in Louisiana. The Kisatchie National Forest, which encompasses over 600,000 acres sprawled out across seven parishes in central and northern Louisiana, is the only National Forest in the state. You can actually visit Briarwood, her childhood home. During your visit, you’ll learn all about the many native plants she cultivated on the property, the wildlife nearby, and more about this pioneering woman.
What other unique facts about Louisiana would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments!
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