Marketplace

Check out the town of Houma, Louisiana's local and internationally-known industry, homes, churches, schools, events, people and more within these pages.

Houma is a name derived from a tribe of Native Americans who settled in what is now Terrebonne Parish, or ""Good Earth."" The town's residents come from French, German, Italian, Scotch and English ancestry. This mix makes for an interesting cross-section of cultures in a charming Louisiana community. Fifty miles southwest of New Orleans and easily accessible from U.S. Highway 90, also known as ""The Old Spanish Trail,"" Houma is also bisected by the Intracoastal Waterway. It has been dubbed the ""Venice of North America,"" because it is the epicenter of six bayous, all of which were at one time tributaries of the Mississippi River.

Houma and the surrounding communities have become known throughout the world for an abundance of seafood, including dried shrimp. The process of drying shrimp is truly unique, as it is only done in this area of the country. Indeed, a dried shrimp packing plant still operates on Main Street in downtown Houma. The production of sugar and other agricultural products, and later the oil industry, also played major roles in Houma's rich history.

New Orleans history is steeped in coffee. Café du Monde and Morning Call started serving café au lait more than a century ago.

Outside the Cathedral of St. Louis in Jackson Square, early entrepreneurs like Old Rose provided eager churchgoers with the brew, and it was sold in the French Market beginning in the late 1700s. People gathered for business, socializing, politics and auctions at five hundred coffee exchanges and shops in the 1800s. Since 1978, myriad specialty coffee shops have opened to meet increasing demand for great coffee. Author Suzanne Stone presents the full story of this celebrated tradition, including how chicory became part of the city's special flavor.

Over the course of many decades, the city of Shreveport witnessed dramatic growth and ever-changing landscapes.

Mule-drawn railways gave way to electric streetcars, and what was once the Confederate capital of the state became today's vibrant commercial hub of northwest Louisiana. Drawing from their extensive image collection, authors Joiner and Roberson depict the forgotten scenes and lost stories that form the complex layers of Shreveport history. From the famous performances of Pawnee Bill's Wild West Show to the infamous red-light district, from the decline of vigilante justice to the victims who perished from yellow fever, Joiner and Roberson recover and remember lost Shreveport.

Metairie was the first suburb of New Orleans; an outgrowth to the west by young families seeking larger lots, open air, and affordable new housing.

Those suburbanites shared much in common with previous generations of New Orleanians who had migrated westward from the original town (now the French Quarter) to high land along the Mississippi River and the Metairie Ridge. When Jefferson Parish was established in 1825, it included all New Orleans faubourgs west of Felicity Street--what we now know as Uptown New Orleans. These would become the first cities in Jefferson Parish: Carrolton, Jefferson, and Lafayette. By the early 1900s, the westward expansion continued into what we now call Old Metairie and Bucktown. During the mid-20th century, Metairie boomed and is now one of the largest communities in Louisiana. While many residents consider themselves New Orleanians, even those born generations after their families moved to the suburb, Metairie has its own unique history.

Discover the rich heritage and history of Union Parish, Louisiana as preserved by local author W. Gene Barron.

In the late 1830s, prominent local settlers Peter J. Harvey, John Taylor, Col. Matthew Wood, Philip Feazle, Daniel Payne, Stephen Colvin, and Mills Farmer of upper Ouachita Parish Wiley Underwood petitioned the Louisiana Legislature for the creation of a new parish. Created by the legislature on May 13, 1839, it was given the name Union, supposedly because Daniel Webster stated, ""Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable."" By the 1850s, settlers streamed into the parish from Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Most came by steamboat, landing at a point on the Ouachita River, which became known as the Alabama Landing since many Alabamians arrived there. Agriculture always dominated the Union Parish economy, evolving from cotton and corn in the 1840s to the 1950s to cattle, timber, and poultry today

For those that call the one of the oldest settlements in Acadia Parish home, there is so much more to the community than meets the eye. The development of Rayne as it grew from Pouppeville to Rayne Station to an important hub for the frog, rice, and cotton markets played an important role in establishing a very unique cultural foundation. Influences of a multitude of heritages, including French and German, have driven Rayne's evolution in economics, politics, and architecture, as well as its its rich musical roots.

Leah Chase was raised in a small, country town across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans. With the values instilled in her by devoted parents--hard work, faith and family--she soon grew into a woman to be reckoned with. In her roles as chef of the most popular Creole restaurant in New Orleans, nationally respected patron of the arts, and civic leader, she has influenced the world around her in important ways. Reading her story in this, her only biography, makes one think, "If she can do it, maybe I can too."

Paul Malone visits 43 picturesque landmarks of New Orleans' famed Garden District to capture the grandeur of these mansions.

This lovely collection of 37 recipes features the pecan in appetizers, soups, salads, meats, and more. The popular nut grows naturally from Iowa all the way down to the Southeast and to Mexico.

America's most popular indigenous nut, the pecan offers a comfortingly rich and buttery flavor. Delicious in sweet, savory, and spicy dishes, the nut takes center stage. From the simple pleasure of roasted pecans to the more complex pairing of Speckled Trout with Pecan Meuniere, the dishes in this cookbook offer an enticing spectrum of tastes and treats to savor all year long.

Celebrate 300 years of New Orleans history!

Originally written by Joan B. Garvey and Mary Lou Widmer, this book is widely regarded as the definitive text for tourists, locals, teachers, and students. This concise history of the Crescent City contains chapters covering the Mississippi River, the city's founding, European rule, and more, updated with expanded jazz and African American sections. It is a must for every library and home, and for those who love New Orleans and its rich history.

Enjoy big Cajun flavors without the guilt!

Forget the myth that because it tastes great, it can’t be good for you. Culinary dietician Shelley Marie Redmond has done all the work and research to marry the authentic and delicious flavors of Louisiana cooking with principles of healthy eating. A list of pantry essentials forms the cornerstone of her plan and offers substitutes for ingredients high in carbohydrates (like Greek yogurt instead of butter). A shopping guide helps you to plan a successful and efficient trip to the grocery store. Recipes for such flavorful dishes as Mardi Gras Mambo Cajun Rice Dressing and Skinny Louisiana Cajun Chicken Pasta let you celebrate the best of Louisiana’s eats without the worry of compromising your health!

Shelly Marie Redmond is a culinary dietitian, media personality and founder of the Skinny Louisiana brand. She is a partner in Eberhart Physical Therapy, where she works with clients on food-related issues.

Veteran food columnist and cookbook author Marlyn Monette writes for The Times in Shreveport and is a frequent guest on television cooking programs. She liberally laces her recipes with amusing family stories.

This compendium of crawfish information offers biological facts and scores of home-style recipes. The Louisiana seafood industry--past and present--is discussed and a fascinating essay about a day in the life of a crawfisher is included. Jerald Horst has worked in the seafood industry and he and his wife have collected and tested crawfish recipes for decades. From the birth of the crawfish industry in the 1800s to present-day obstacles to commercial fishing, this encyclopedic cookbook provides an abundance of history as well as recipes, health information, and Louisiana culture. Highlights include the mudbug's popularity explosion in the 1950s, an illustrated guide to peeling the crustacean, and "Four Star" recipes for Crawfish Omelets and Delta Crispy Crawcakes.

Follow the story of one of America's most unique immigrant communities!

The Isleños of Louisiana, Spanish Canary Islanders who immigrated to Louisiana in the late 18th century, are one of the most unique ethnic groups in the American South. They are one of the best preserved immigrant cultures in the United States, having safeguarded their traditions into the 21st century. A key to this cultural preservation was the dance halls. Sustained into modern day by weekly dances in nightclubs and across St. Bernard Parish, this rich history is dying out as younger members of the community fail to pick up its traditions. Follow the history of the Isleños through their immigration to the 20th century Dance Hall Era that has become their legacy.

A heart-pounding race through history!

The thunder and excitement of the race has long drawn visitors to the Fair Grounds, where legendary horses including Black Gold, Whirlaway, and Risen Star have raced to victory. The history of one of America’s oldest Thoroughbred horse-racing tracks is chronicled here through interviews, rare photographs, and archival lithographs. Since 1872, the New Orleans Fair Grounds has been home to exhibitions, boxing matches, baseball games, and even special events like ostrich racing. Now owned by Churchill Downs, Inc., the Fair Grounds has withstood hurricanes, fire, and bankruptcy and stands today as a vibrant sports and festival venue in a historic New Orleans neighborhood.

Hit the gas pedal with your career!

Sheba Turk is an anchorwoman like no other. Strong and capable, she forged a path to her successful career with perseverance and hard work. She seized the opportunities given to her and overcame enormous obstacles along the way. In her timely and moving book, Turk shows us that we, too, can smooth that bumpy path using the wisdom earned in the early stages of her own career. She covers topics ranging from mentorship to establishing your own brand.

Off Air is perfect for anyone starting out on their own career path, particularly in media journalism or entertainment, or anyone interested in how to overcome their own obstacles, wherever their adventure may begin.

A forward by Turk's mentor, Soledad O'Brien brings this journey full circle and adds an extra level of inspiration.

A glimpse into the legacy of the "chief of chiefs."

Robert Nathanial Lee, known as Chief Robbe, was the first and only person to be named "chief of chiefs" by the Mardi Gras Indian Council. From his birth in 1915, Chief Robbe faced hardship and discrimination, but he always found a way to do what he believed in. By the end of his life in 2001, he had been the Big Chief of four different tribes, given a lecture at Yale University, and become a role model for generations of New Orleans black youth. Author Al Kennedy enhances the story of Chief Robbe's life with extensive detail and interviews from their personal relationship, creating a biography perfect for both New Orleanians and those who simply love the city.