We love our small towns in Louisiana. Each one has a charm and community that’s specific to itself. Some towns in Louisiana have taken it on themselves to live up to their nicknames, and below we’ve listed 10 of our favorites.
Breaux Bridge: Crawfish Capital of the World
jc.winkler/Flickr Breaux Bridge restaurants were the first to offer crawfish on their menus, and it was here that crawfish etoufee was created! Breaux Bridge became so well known for crawfish farming that in 1959 the Louisiana legislature officially designated Breaux Bridge “the crawfish capital of the world.”
Crowley: Rice Capital of America
Wikimedia At one time, Crowley was a major center for rice harvesting. There are still a number of rice mills in the area and it’s the main crop of many local farmers, although crawfish and soybeans have become popular crops in recent years.
Des Allemands: Catfish Capital of the Universe
Wikimedia Located along the Bayou Des Allemandes, visitors come from all over to enjoy the Louisiana Catfish Festival held in June each year.
Dubach: Dogtrot Capital of the World
Wikimedia Dubach got its nickname because of the numerous dogtrot houses nearby. This style of house was pretty common during the 19th and 20th centuries. The primary characteristic of a dogtrot house is the breezeway in the center, which was meant to cool the house during summer months.
Gonzales: Jambalaya Capital of the World
City of Gonzales/Facebook In 1967 Steve Juneau wanted to find a way to promote the city, and was very impressed with the jambalaya prepared by local cooks. The first festival was held in 1968. 13 cooks competed for the “World Jambalaya Cooking Champion” crown. The festival continues today, continuing its mission to promote the city of Gonzales.
Gueydan: Duck Capital of America
Gueydan Duck Festival/Facebook Louisiana is known as a Sportsman’s Paradise, and this little southern town is certainly a hunter’s paradise. Hunters from all over come to Gueydan every year to participate in the Duck Festival.
Ponchatoula: Strawberry Capital of the World
Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival/Facebook Every April Ponchatoula puts on the largest free festival in the state, The Ponchatoula Stawberry Festival.
Rayne: The Frog Capital of the World
Wikimedia In the 1880s a chef by the name of Donat Pucheu started selling frog legs to to New Orleans Restaurants. This attracted Jacques Weil and his brothers from France who started a lucrative business exporting frogs to world-renowned restaurants like Sardi’s in New York. Their success helped put Rayne on the map as the Frog Capital of the World. Rayne doesn’t export frogs anymore, but they do paint them! All around the city you’ll find amazing frog murals painted by local artists.
Slidell: Camellia City
City of Slidell/Facebook While there have been Camellia bushes in local parks for years, locals wondered why Slidell was known as ‘The Camellia City’ because they just weren’t that abundant. A few years ago members of Keep Slidell Beautiful lead the effort to put more camellia gardens throughout the town.
Lecompte: Pie Capital of Louisiana
Wikimedia This little town in Rapides parish can thank Lea’s Lunchroom for its nickname. Lea’s has been specializing in homemade pies since 1928. It was even featured on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1989.
Have you ever been to any of these towns? Let us know in the comments below!
jc.winkler/Flickr
Breaux Bridge restaurants were the first to offer crawfish on their menus, and it was here that crawfish etoufee was created! Breaux Bridge became so well known for crawfish farming that in 1959 the Louisiana legislature officially designated Breaux Bridge “the crawfish capital of the world.”
Wikimedia
At one time, Crowley was a major center for rice harvesting. There are still a number of rice mills in the area and it’s the main crop of many local farmers, although crawfish and soybeans have become popular crops in recent years.
Located along the Bayou Des Allemandes, visitors come from all over to enjoy the Louisiana Catfish Festival held in June each year.
Dubach got its nickname because of the numerous dogtrot houses nearby. This style of house was pretty common during the 19th and 20th centuries. The primary characteristic of a dogtrot house is the breezeway in the center, which was meant to cool the house during summer months.
City of Gonzales/Facebook
In 1967 Steve Juneau wanted to find a way to promote the city, and was very impressed with the jambalaya prepared by local cooks. The first festival was held in 1968. 13 cooks competed for the “World Jambalaya Cooking Champion” crown. The festival continues today, continuing its mission to promote the city of Gonzales.
Gueydan Duck Festival/Facebook
Louisiana is known as a Sportsman’s Paradise, and this little southern town is certainly a hunter’s paradise. Hunters from all over come to Gueydan every year to participate in the Duck Festival.
Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival/Facebook
Every April Ponchatoula puts on the largest free festival in the state, The Ponchatoula Stawberry Festival.
In the 1880s a chef by the name of Donat Pucheu started selling frog legs to to New Orleans Restaurants. This attracted Jacques Weil and his brothers from France who started a lucrative business exporting frogs to world-renowned restaurants like Sardi’s in New York. Their success helped put Rayne on the map as the Frog Capital of the World. Rayne doesn’t export frogs anymore, but they do paint them! All around the city you’ll find amazing frog murals painted by local artists.
City of Slidell/Facebook
While there have been Camellia bushes in local parks for years, locals wondered why Slidell was known as ‘The Camellia City’ because they just weren’t that abundant. A few years ago members of Keep Slidell Beautiful lead the effort to put more camellia gardens throughout the town.
This little town in Rapides parish can thank Lea’s Lunchroom for its nickname. Lea’s has been specializing in homemade pies since 1928. It was even featured on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1989.
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