If you think of different places around Louisiana. Most of the cities/towns have something unique about them. There is a certain thing that you think of when Lafayette crosses your mind. For me it is usually Cajuns. Also it could be food. When I think of New Orleans, I think of jazz music. When Shreveport crosses my mind I think East Texas. When I think about Alexandria I really draw a blank. There is nothing that really sets Alexandria apart from the rest of the State in my opinion. Sure there is some history in Alexandria and there are some unique things to in Alexandria but there is nothing that really stands out about Alexandria. Of course this is my opinion. There are residents of Alexandria that have lived here all their lives and cannot even tell you what there is to do around town. Half of the residents would not be able to give you directions to Kent House Plantation. So I ask, what is Alexandria known for and what makes it unique. I would rather not hear about events that took place in the Bentley, England Air Force Base, the Red River (while a great trait for the City, residents of Louisiana could probably care less about it). So I ask, if you were a resident of another town/city in Louisiana outside of a 75 mile radius from Alexandria. What would Alexandria be known for to you? Maybe being called Central Louisiana is not such a good thing, as it may be all that we are known for. Again…not a bad thing.
June 12, 2007 at 9:36 pm
I have lived in Central Louisiana all my life except for 6 years in Baton Rouge and some time in Monroe, all for school. The biggest draw for me to come back was that this is simply home. My background is like what Alexandria is. Like my heritage, Alexandria is just a mixture of South Louisiana French culture with North Louisiana culture. Alexandria’s distinguishing factor, in my opinion, is that we truly are the crossroads of Louisiana.
Most of the things we used to be known for, however, are vanishing fast. We used to be known for our abundance of places to hunt and fish, but lack of access to private lands is now ending that. Many through the entire nation, when hearing you are from Alexandria, will respond with “I’ve passed through there before”. So really, I think that is what we are most famous for, you got to go through here to get to somewhere else.
However, I have heard many comments from all over the state and how people are surprised at what a great zoo we have. Les Whitt is due most of the credit for that. Now perhaps if we can get a water slide that will move our prominence up a notch.
June 21, 2007 at 3:17 am
I’ve heard one thing several times about Alexandria — no people but the best roads in the state.
In New Orleans they think of it as that place you go for hurricanes.