Fun Facts About Louisiana

Every state has it's own interesting and fun facts, and Louisiana is no exception. Here are some of Louisiana's little known facts.

The Superdome, located in New Orleans is the worlds largest enclosed stadium.

Louisiana is home to 6.5 million acres of wetlands that hold the honor of being the greatest wetland in America.

Natchitoches, Louisiana, is the oldest city in the Louisiana Purchase Territory, and was founded in 1714.

The state capitol building in Baton Rouge, is the tallest state capitol building in America, standing 450 feet tall.

Baton Rouge was the only site of an American Revolution battle that was fought outside of the original 13 colonies.

The staircase located in the Chretien Point plantation home in Sunset, Louisiana was copied and used in Tara in the movie "Gone with the Wind."

Louisiana's salt domes produce 24 percent of the nation's salt, making it the highest producing state in America.

The Tabasco company, found by E. A. McIlhenny in 1868 in Avery Island, Louisiana, is the second oldest food trademark in the United States Patent Office.

Steen's Syrup Mill, located in Abbeville, LA, is the world's largest plant producing sugar cane syrup.

The Konkriko Co. in New Iberia, Louisiana, is America's oldest rice mill.

The term "Uncle Sam" originated on the wharfs of New Orleans before Louisiana became a U.S. territory. Even then, New Orleans was a major docking port, and the goods that came through the New Orleans docks and labeled U.S. were referred to as "Uncle Sam."

In 1813, the game of craps was invented in New Orleans.

At 514 Chartres Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, lies the oldest pharmacy in America, established in 1823. The New Orleans Pharmacy, is now the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum.

New Orleans is the birthplace of Jazz, which is considered the only true American art form.

During the time when states had their own individual currencies, the favored currency in Louisiana was the Louisiana Dix. (Dix is French for ten.) English speakers referred to these as Dixies, which eventually coined the phrase, Dixieland.

From 1948-1960, KWKH Radio in Shreveport, Louisiana broadcasted the Louisiana Hayride Show. This show helped Hank Williams, Elvis Presley and Johnny Case, all in the quest for stardom.

The longest over-water bridge in the world is located just outside of New Orleans. At 23.87 miles long, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is definitely one of Louisiana's greatest accomplishments.