The mysticism of cemeteries is inescapable. We are intrigued by the way these sacred cities of the dead have the ability to both fascinate and unnerve us at the same time. Within these final resting places lie many personal histories marked by nyriad monuments ranging from grand architectural homages to endearing sculptures and simple gravestones. The cemeteries of New Orleans have long enticed residents and visitors alike with their beauty and rich history. In New Orleans, the cemeteries are unique in that they are primarily built above ground. Done in part because of the city's location below sea level, this type of burial is also a common practice rooted in the area's Latin culture tradition. In over 200 photographs accompanied by an illuminating narrative, the author invites us to join him on a visual tour of some of the most captivating burial site of the Crescent City.

New Orleans Cemeteries (Images of America: Louisiana)

Arts & Photography

Brook, Eric J.

Photography & Video

Arcadia Publishing

Known by the French settlers of the eighteenth century as the Fleuve Rouge, the Red River boasts a fascinating history in Louisiana. It is the state’s historic highway along which plantations were built, and upon which their wares went to the great markets of New Orleans and the rest of the world. In this captivating collection of vintage images, the history of navigation on the Red River unfolds. Flowing some 1,300 miles through four states, the Red River is the eighth-longest river in the continental United States. Despite numerous disasters, regular navigation occurred on the river for over a century. Huge craft loaded with North Louisiana cotton plied the river between Shreveport and New Orleans, and packet steamers carried mail and passengers to dozens of stops along the river’s path. The showboats traveling along the river brought a new form of entertainment to the cities and towns that lined its banks. Included in this volume are views spanning the Great Raft, the opening of the river to navigation and commerce, the role the river played in the Civil War, and the twilight of commercial steam navigation. The first photographic tribute to the river ever published, Red River Steamboats captures a bygone era in Louisiana’s history.

Red River Steamboats

Joiner, Gary

Few cities boast a heritage as rich and a local color as dynamic as that of New Orleans. Known the world round for its unique architecture, exquisite cuisine, flamboyant celebrations, and exotic peoples, New Orleans is a place where many cultures met and harmonized to create a city, and a lifestyle, unlike any other in America. Founded in 1718 as a backwater outpost of France, New Orleans was the catalyst for the greatest land deal in the history of the world, the Louisiana Purchase. Discover in these pages what made one city so appealing that a third of the continental United States was purchased in order to obtain it. Images of the old city streets and such well-known districts as the French Quarter reveal the charm and mystery of New Orleans, and are complimented by informative, historical captions. A virtual tour of the city, New Orleans provides readers with a glimpse into the past and preserves the images of landmarks that have vanished. A scrapbook of memories for longtime residents of the city, this unique pictorial history will also be embraced by the millions of visitors who are captivated by the Crescent City.

New Orleans (Images of America: Louisiana)

Centenary College of Louisiana began as a public institution known as the College of Louisiana on February 18, 1825, and has enjoyed a long and distinguished history. The years have brought a multitude of changes to the school--the name has changed, the location has changed, and the student population has changed. However, what remains steadfast at Centenary is a commitment to the highest standards of academic excellence, and an environment that fosters growth and achievement. Within these pages, students, alumni, faculty, and friends of the college will discover the Centenary of the past--the early days in Jackson, Louisiana, the devastation of the Civil War, the move to the Shreveport campus, and the championship football team that once was. Vintage photographs of the school's founders and supporters, the campuses, and the students will evoke memories of years past and reflect the traditions that continue at Centenary today. Accompanied by informative captions, the photographs include aerial views of the physical layout of the school, early sporting events, academic settings, and notable figures who contributed to the institution as graduates, teachers, and dynamic leaders.

Centenary College of Louisiana (Campus History)

A city's history is made by its people, and for over 165 years the people of Shreveport, Louisiana have been building a rich heritage. From everyday residents to community leaders, from educators and clergy to entertainers and celebrities, Shreveport's citizens have created a lasting legacy. Here, readers are presented with a collective portrait of the city, including images from both its distant and not-so-distant past. Photographs of ordinary as well as extraordinary people, revealing their lives and their culture, preserve significant moments in time. While it is not possible to include them all in a single book, this volume does much to create a picture of the numerous talented, industrious, and spirited citizens who have contributed to the community's development. Their names are found on local streets, parks, buildings, and monuments; yet, their stories are often unknown. In this volume, readers will meet some of these colorful figures, putting faces with the names that present-day Shreveport residents know so well.

Shreveport: Faces of the Past (Images of America)

The Jewish presence in northwest Louisiana actually predates the establishment of Shreveport in 1836. From the very beginning, Jews have been part of the city's civic, social, and mercantile life. Pioneer settlers began holding services in private homes in the 1840s, and by 1858 the community was sufficiently large enough to consecrate a Jewish cemetery and the first Jewish benevolent association, a forerunner of today's North Louisiana Jewish Federation. In 1859, the first congregation was founded.In The Jewish Community of Shreveport the rich history of this influential and vibrant citizenry is chronicled by well-known Louisiana historian Eric J. Brock, archivist of Shreveport's B'nai Zion Temple. Nearly 18 decades of Jewish life in Shreveport are depicted in over 200 vintage images, many of which are previously unpublished. Both of the city's synagogues, B'nai Zion and Agudath Achim, are represented, as are many of the rabbis, business leaders, political leaders (including three mayors), and laypeople from the community's long history.

Jewish Community of Shreveport (LA) (Images of America)

Between the end of the 19th century and the present day, roughly 2,000 postcards were produced depicting scenes and landmarks in the city of Shreveport and the surrounding area. Most of these were made and distributed during the golden age of postcards, from approximately 1905 through the 1920s. In all, more than half of Shreveport's 170-year history is represented on postcards. Ranging from advertising and promotional cards to scenic views and fold-out souvenirs, the cards showcased the community's growth and development.

Shreveport in Vintage Postcards (LA) (Postcard History)

Shreveport, Louisiana, is a town with a history as fascinating as it is long. From the settlement of the area at the start of the nineteenth century, through the city’s founding in 1836, to Shreveport’s role as state capital during the Civil War, up until its present-day role as one of Louisiana’s leading cities, figures ranging from snagboat operators to Huey P. Long have worked, lived, and played in this city by the Red River.

Shreveport (Images of America)

"Here are heroes and scoundrels, businessmen and religious leaders, artists and soldiers, pioneers and planters...as well as a number of stories that are ironic, bizarre or simply curious." In this newest collection of his popular columns, Eric J. Brock portrays Shreveport's historical pageant through the lives of a cross section of truly fascinating characters. From the enigmatic mayor Robert Nathaniel Wood to forgotten beauty queen Janet Currie, Brock sketches the men and women--both ordinary and extraordinary--who shaped the course of Shreveport history. These biographical vignettes, originally printed in the Shreveport Times and the Forum News Magazine, are a must-read for any native or resident of northwest Louisiana.

Shreveport Chronicles: Profiles From Louisiana's Port City (American Chronicles)

History

Americas

The History Press

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