Our road trip day did not get off to an auspicious start.
Torrential rain
Fortunately, late in the morning, the Weather Gods were kind and the rain band continued its trek to Florida, leaving us with good travel weather
We stopped in the afternoon for a short break. While chomping on my unnamed-fast-food-establishment Quarter Pounder with Cheese, I looked out the window. Across the interstate, was a sign proclaiming Frog Town.
Curiosity was peaked. Avoiding the tedium of interstate driving, we crossed the road and went into town. We were in Rayne, Louisiana.
We drove to the the town center, the Rayne Depot Square.
Some background: Rayne was established in the late 19th century and was originally named Pouppeville. It was soon renamed Rayne to honor Rayne Grey. He was an engineer for the Southern Pacific Railroad. His efforts were instrumental in bringing the railroad to the area.
That’s the official story. My version is that the city elders, having teenage sons, quickly tired of living in “Poop-ville.” And, yes, it seems the signmakers did spell the founders name wrong.
While originally known for its rice and sugarcane production, Rayne soon became better known for something else: frogs. Early in the 20th century, locals noted the abundance of frogs in the area. They started exporting frog legs and the venture became hugely successful. Not so good for the frog population, great for the human population.
Depot Square has a small, somewhat worn, entertainment pavilion with concrete bench seating, a strange fountain, and other decorations.A Christmas theme pervades the pavilion, but seems to be last year’s remnants.The Official Rayne Frog Piano ( #raynefrogpiano is engraved on it ).Both sides of the pavilion feature handmade “Trees” from local groups, businesses and families.A genuine Howard Miller clock aids visitors in knowing the time. Unfortunately, it seems to have died at 6:30.
Across the street that runs beside the square…
The Hulin Lormand Building…with a Frog Capital of the World banner…and Benjamin Froglin himself.
Across the front street from the square,
Accompanying frogs
Behind the pavilion,
The mural that introduced this post.
Railroad tracks split the town in two,
Rendered as Re-Acrylic Paintings to make them more interesting
And on the other side of the tracks,
What is now an antique store has an interesting history…and a frog, of course
Beside the store.
Mervine Kahn was a French-speaking German Jew who arrived in Rayne in the 1880s. His store was built in 1884 and became a major economic hub in the region. As a side note, he was the primary importer and source of accordions for Louisiana’s original Cajun and Creole Accordion Masters. Peeking through a window. After several remodelings, the store was sold a couple of times. It spent time as a large antique market and is now a popular wedding venue.
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