Take a look at this collection of rare historic photos and wood engravings of Louisiana, starting from 1866. Can you guess where all these pictures were taken? Answers are below the pictures!

1) Cypress Swamp Wood Engraving, 1866
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
An image of the swamp near the Opelousas Railroad.
2) Wood Engraving of a Louisiana Town, 1866
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Do New Iberia residents recognize their city from this photo?
3) First Through Train from Houston to New Orleans, 1880
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Can you believe Poydras St. once had that much grass? Taken in New Orleans, LA when the first train arrived.
4) Loading a Mississippi Steamer, 1901
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
River workers load up a boat in New Orleans, LA.
5) Young Boy on Bike, 1913
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Percy Neville had just come out of one of the houses in the Red Light district of Shreveport, LA with a message (which you can see in his hand.) He said gleefully "She gimme a quarter tip."
6) Booker T Washington, 1915
Arthur P. Bedou //wikicommons
The legendary orator, author, teacher, and African-American leader draws crowds in New Orleans, LA.

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7) Women in the Biological Laboratory, circa 1910-20
A female class learning at the lab of the Louisiana Industrial Institute and College, Ruston, LA.
8) Levee Being Dynamited, 1927
Archival Photography by Steve Nicklas, NOS, NGS
Breathtaking photo of the landmark decision to create a crevasse to relieve levees surrounding the larger cities upriver, flooding large swaths of Southern Louisiana.
9) The Great Flood, 1927.
Archival Photography by Steve Nicklas, NOS, NGS
This image was taken at Bayou Teche, New Iberia, LA.
10) Road to a Plantation, 1938
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division
This picture almost looks like it could have been taken today! The photo features Oak Alley Plantation, Vacherie, St. James Parish, LA.
11) Concessionaire Dusting off A Prize, 1938
Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division
Cleaning off the exotic Panda Bear prize at the South Louisiana State Fair, Donaldsonville, LA.
12) National Rice Festival Float, 1938.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
This float features a duchess of the Public Welfare Tax in Crowley, LA.
13) Prisoner With a Guitar, 1938
A candid shot of a prisoner at Angola State Prison, Angola, LA.

These are some of the most amazing photos of Louisiana’s past. Do you have any in your personal collection that you could add? Tell us in the comments below or post them to our Facebook page.

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