NEW LLANO, LOUISIANA We are looking for the ghost of the longest running secular socialist commune in American history, a town named New Llano that lies some twenty miles north of DeRidder.  On some maps it is Newllano. In some mouths it is pronounced New YAW-no, but many locals say New LAN-no. Confusion around basic details- the spelling, the pronunciation-seems to be a defining characteristic of the place. The geographic roots are also muddled. In 1914, the commune was born as the Llano del Rio Corporation in the California desert, and struggled there for three years before decamping to this rural corner of Louisiana. In 1917, Llano del Rio purchased the entire town of Stables, Louisiana from the Gulf Lumber Company, dreaming of a fresh start in the fertile South. Out of the 900 people living at Llano del Rio, only 65 journeyed from California to Louisiana. They re-christened the town New Llano, but the new name did not change the massive organizational and social problems within the community. The historical record surrounding the colony is strange. Much of what can be found speaks of New Llano, of Llano del Rio, in glowing terms. Colony members, and outside supporters, claimed New Llano was the first step towards dismantling capitalism, a community designed to share burdens and successes, a place where no man exploited the weak or favored the ruthless. All community members had equal say in how the town was run. The children and the elderly were well cared for, and no one wanted for food or clothing. These were all lies. This is an excerpt from an article by our new Louisiana guides, Breonne DeDecker and Darin Acosta.  Read more. Trust us. (Archival Images: Birds-Eye View of the Llano Cooperative Colony. Artist Unknown. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University; As Picket Sees It. Llano Colonist. August 28, 1937. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University.) * * * Darin Acosta has spent his entire life exploring and documenting the wetlands, oil infrastructure and forgotten blight of South Louisiana and studied urban and environmental planning at the University of New Orleans. Breonne DeDecker was born near the headwaters of the Mississippi River and now resides at the end of it. She has degrees in photography and sustainable development.  Their current work, The Airline is a Very Long Road, is an experimental biography of Louisiana, which you can find at airlinehighway.tumblr.com.
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NEW LLANO, LOUISIANA We are looking for the ghost of the longest running secular socialist commune in American history, a town named New Llano that lies some twenty miles north of DeRidder.  On some maps it is Newllano. In some mouths it is pronounced New YAW-no, but many locals say New LAN-no. Confusion around basic details- the spelling, the pronunciation-seems to be a defining characteristic of the place. The geographic roots are also muddled. In 1914, the commune was born as the Llano del Rio Corporation in the California desert, and struggled there for three years before decamping to this rural corner of Louisiana. In 1917, Llano del Rio purchased the entire town of Stables, Louisiana from the Gulf Lumber Company, dreaming of a fresh start in the fertile South. Out of the 900 people living at Llano del Rio, only 65 journeyed from California to Louisiana. They re-christened the town New Llano, but the new name did not change the massive organizational and social problems within the community. The historical record surrounding the colony is strange. Much of what can be found speaks of New Llano, of Llano del Rio, in glowing terms. Colony members, and outside supporters, claimed New Llano was the first step towards dismantling capitalism, a community designed to share burdens and successes, a place where no man exploited the weak or favored the ruthless. All community members had equal say in how the town was run. The children and the elderly were well cared for, and no one wanted for food or clothing. These were all lies. This is an excerpt from an article by our new Louisiana guides, Breonne DeDecker and Darin Acosta.  Read more. Trust us. (Archival Images: Birds-Eye View of the Llano Cooperative Colony. Artist Unknown. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University; As Picket Sees It. Llano Colonist. August 28, 1937. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University.) * * * Darin Acosta has spent his entire life exploring and documenting the wetlands, oil infrastructure and forgotten blight of South Louisiana and studied urban and environmental planning at the University of New Orleans. Breonne DeDecker was born near the headwaters of the Mississippi River and now resides at the end of it. She has degrees in photography and sustainable development.  Their current work, The Airline is a Very Long Road, is an experimental biography of Louisiana, which you can find at airlinehighway.tumblr.com.
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NEW LLANO, LOUISIANA We are looking for the ghost of the longest running secular socialist commune in American history, a town named New Llano that lies some twenty miles north of DeRidder.  On some maps it is Newllano. In some mouths it is pronounced New YAW-no, but many locals say New LAN-no. Confusion around basic details- the spelling, the pronunciation-seems to be a defining characteristic of the place. The geographic roots are also muddled. In 1914, the commune was born as the Llano del Rio Corporation in the California desert, and struggled there for three years before decamping to this rural corner of Louisiana. In 1917, Llano del Rio purchased the entire town of Stables, Louisiana from the Gulf Lumber Company, dreaming of a fresh start in the fertile South. Out of the 900 people living at Llano del Rio, only 65 journeyed from California to Louisiana. They re-christened the town New Llano, but the new name did not change the massive organizational and social problems within the community. The historical record surrounding the colony is strange. Much of what can be found speaks of New Llano, of Llano del Rio, in glowing terms. Colony members, and outside supporters, claimed New Llano was the first step towards dismantling capitalism, a community designed to share burdens and successes, a place where no man exploited the weak or favored the ruthless. All community members had equal say in how the town was run. The children and the elderly were well cared for, and no one wanted for food or clothing. These were all lies. This is an excerpt from an article by our new Louisiana guides, Breonne DeDecker and Darin Acosta.  Read more. Trust us. (Archival Images: Birds-Eye View of the Llano Cooperative Colony. Artist Unknown. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University; As Picket Sees It. Llano Colonist. August 28, 1937. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University.) * * * Darin Acosta has spent his entire life exploring and documenting the wetlands, oil infrastructure and forgotten blight of South Louisiana and studied urban and environmental planning at the University of New Orleans. Breonne DeDecker was born near the headwaters of the Mississippi River and now resides at the end of it. She has degrees in photography and sustainable development.  Their current work, The Airline is a Very Long Road, is an experimental biography of Louisiana, which you can find at airlinehighway.tumblr.com.
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NEW LLANO, LOUISIANA We are looking for the ghost of the longest running secular socialist commune in American history, a town named New Llano that lies some twenty miles north of DeRidder.  On some maps it is Newllano. In some mouths it is pronounced New YAW-no, but many locals say New LAN-no. Confusion around basic details- the spelling, the pronunciation-seems to be a defining characteristic of the place. The geographic roots are also muddled. In 1914, the commune was born as the Llano del Rio Corporation in the California desert, and struggled there for three years before decamping to this rural corner of Louisiana. In 1917, Llano del Rio purchased the entire town of Stables, Louisiana from the Gulf Lumber Company, dreaming of a fresh start in the fertile South. Out of the 900 people living at Llano del Rio, only 65 journeyed from California to Louisiana. They re-christened the town New Llano, but the new name did not change the massive organizational and social problems within the community. The historical record surrounding the colony is strange. Much of what can be found speaks of New Llano, of Llano del Rio, in glowing terms. Colony members, and outside supporters, claimed New Llano was the first step towards dismantling capitalism, a community designed to share burdens and successes, a place where no man exploited the weak or favored the ruthless. All community members had equal say in how the town was run. The children and the elderly were well cared for, and no one wanted for food or clothing. These were all lies. This is an excerpt from an article by our new Louisiana guides, Breonne DeDecker and Darin Acosta.  Read more. Trust us. (Archival Images: Birds-Eye View of the Llano Cooperative Colony. Artist Unknown. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University; As Picket Sees It. Llano Colonist. August 28, 1937. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University.) * * * Darin Acosta has spent his entire life exploring and documenting the wetlands, oil infrastructure and forgotten blight of South Louisiana and studied urban and environmental planning at the University of New Orleans. Breonne DeDecker was born near the headwaters of the Mississippi River and now resides at the end of it. She has degrees in photography and sustainable development.  Their current work, The Airline is a Very Long Road, is an experimental biography of Louisiana, which you can find at airlinehighway.tumblr.com.
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NEW LLANO, LOUISIANA We are looking for the ghost of the longest running secular socialist commune in American history, a town named New Llano that lies some twenty miles north of DeRidder.  On some maps it is Newllano. In some mouths it is pronounced New YAW-no, but many locals say New LAN-no. Confusion around basic details- the spelling, the pronunciation-seems to be a defining characteristic of the place. The geographic roots are also muddled. In 1914, the commune was born as the Llano del Rio Corporation in the California desert, and struggled there for three years before decamping to this rural corner of Louisiana. In 1917, Llano del Rio purchased the entire town of Stables, Louisiana from the Gulf Lumber Company, dreaming of a fresh start in the fertile South. Out of the 900 people living at Llano del Rio, only 65 journeyed from California to Louisiana. They re-christened the town New Llano, but the new name did not change the massive organizational and social problems within the community. The historical record surrounding the colony is strange. Much of what can be found speaks of New Llano, of Llano del Rio, in glowing terms. Colony members, and outside supporters, claimed New Llano was the first step towards dismantling capitalism, a community designed to share burdens and successes, a place where no man exploited the weak or favored the ruthless. All community members had equal say in how the town was run. The children and the elderly were well cared for, and no one wanted for food or clothing. These were all lies. This is an excerpt from an article by our new Louisiana guides, Breonne DeDecker and Darin Acosta.  Read more. Trust us. (Archival Images: Birds-Eye View of the Llano Cooperative Colony. Artist Unknown. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University; As Picket Sees It. Llano Colonist. August 28, 1937. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University.) * * * Darin Acosta has spent his entire life exploring and documenting the wetlands, oil infrastructure and forgotten blight of South Louisiana and studied urban and environmental planning at the University of New Orleans. Breonne DeDecker was born near the headwaters of the Mississippi River and now resides at the end of it. She has degrees in photography and sustainable development.  Their current work, The Airline is a Very Long Road, is an experimental biography of Louisiana, which you can find at airlinehighway.tumblr.com.
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NEW LLANO, LOUISIANA We are looking for the ghost of the longest running secular socialist commune in American history, a town named New Llano that lies some twenty miles north of DeRidder.  On some maps it is Newllano. In some mouths it is pronounced New YAW-no, but many locals say New LAN-no. Confusion around basic details- the spelling, the pronunciation-seems to be a defining characteristic of the place. The geographic roots are also muddled. In 1914, the commune was born as the Llano del Rio Corporation in the California desert, and struggled there for three years before decamping to this rural corner of Louisiana. In 1917, Llano del Rio purchased the entire town of Stables, Louisiana from the Gulf Lumber Company, dreaming of a fresh start in the fertile South. Out of the 900 people living at Llano del Rio, only 65 journeyed from California to Louisiana. They re-christened the town New Llano, but the new name did not change the massive organizational and social problems within the community. The historical record surrounding the colony is strange. Much of what can be found speaks of New Llano, of Llano del Rio, in glowing terms. Colony members, and outside supporters, claimed New Llano was the first step towards dismantling capitalism, a community designed to share burdens and successes, a place where no man exploited the weak or favored the ruthless. All community members had equal say in how the town was run. The children and the elderly were well cared for, and no one wanted for food or clothing. These were all lies. This is an excerpt from an article by our new Louisiana guides, Breonne DeDecker and Darin Acosta.  Read more. Trust us. (Archival Images: Birds-Eye View of the Llano Cooperative Colony. Artist Unknown. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University; As Picket Sees It. Llano Colonist. August 28, 1937. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University.) * * * Darin Acosta has spent his entire life exploring and documenting the wetlands, oil infrastructure and forgotten blight of South Louisiana and studied urban and environmental planning at the University of New Orleans. Breonne DeDecker was born near the headwaters of the Mississippi River and now resides at the end of it. She has degrees in photography and sustainable development.  Their current work, The Airline is a Very Long Road, is an experimental biography of Louisiana, which you can find at airlinehighway.tumblr.com.
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NEW LLANO, LOUISIANA We are looking for the ghost of the longest running secular socialist commune in American history, a town named New Llano that lies some twenty miles north of DeRidder.  On some maps it is Newllano. In some mouths it is pronounced New YAW-no, but many locals say New LAN-no. Confusion around basic details- the spelling, the pronunciation-seems to be a defining characteristic of the place. The geographic roots are also muddled. In 1914, the commune was born as the Llano del Rio Corporation in the California desert, and struggled there for three years before decamping to this rural corner of Louisiana. In 1917, Llano del Rio purchased the entire town of Stables, Louisiana from the Gulf Lumber Company, dreaming of a fresh start in the fertile South. Out of the 900 people living at Llano del Rio, only 65 journeyed from California to Louisiana. They re-christened the town New Llano, but the new name did not change the massive organizational and social problems within the community. The historical record surrounding the colony is strange. Much of what can be found speaks of New Llano, of Llano del Rio, in glowing terms. Colony members, and outside supporters, claimed New Llano was the first step towards dismantling capitalism, a community designed to share burdens and successes, a place where no man exploited the weak or favored the ruthless. All community members had equal say in how the town was run. The children and the elderly were well cared for, and no one wanted for food or clothing. These were all lies. This is an excerpt from an article by our new Louisiana guides, Breonne DeDecker and Darin Acosta.  Read more. Trust us. (Archival Images: Birds-Eye View of the Llano Cooperative Colony. Artist Unknown. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University; As Picket Sees It. Llano Colonist. August 28, 1937. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University.) * * * Darin Acosta has spent his entire life exploring and documenting the wetlands, oil infrastructure and forgotten blight of South Louisiana and studied urban and environmental planning at the University of New Orleans. Breonne DeDecker was born near the headwaters of the Mississippi River and now resides at the end of it. She has degrees in photography and sustainable development.  Their current work, The Airline is a Very Long Road, is an experimental biography of Louisiana, which you can find at airlinehighway.tumblr.com.
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NEW LLANO, LOUISIANA We are looking for the ghost of the longest running secular socialist commune in American history, a town named New Llano that lies some twenty miles north of DeRidder.  On some maps it is Newllano. In some mouths it is pronounced New YAW-no, but many locals say New LAN-no. Confusion around basic details- the spelling, the pronunciation-seems to be a defining characteristic of the place. The geographic roots are also muddled. In 1914, the commune was born as the Llano del Rio Corporation in the California desert, and struggled there for three years before decamping to this rural corner of Louisiana. In 1917, Llano del Rio purchased the entire town of Stables, Louisiana from the Gulf Lumber Company, dreaming of a fresh start in the fertile South. Out of the 900 people living at Llano del Rio, only 65 journeyed from California to Louisiana. They re-christened the town New Llano, but the new name did not change the massive organizational and social problems within the community. The historical record surrounding the colony is strange. Much of what can be found speaks of New Llano, of Llano del Rio, in glowing terms. Colony members, and outside supporters, claimed New Llano was the first step towards dismantling capitalism, a community designed to share burdens and successes, a place where no man exploited the weak or favored the ruthless. All community members had equal say in how the town was run. The children and the elderly were well cared for, and no one wanted for food or clothing. These were all lies. This is an excerpt from an article by our new Louisiana guides, Breonne DeDecker and Darin Acosta.  Read more. Trust us. (Archival Images: Birds-Eye View of the Llano Cooperative Colony. Artist Unknown. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University; As Picket Sees It. Llano Colonist. August 28, 1937. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University.) * * * Darin Acosta has spent his entire life exploring and documenting the wetlands, oil infrastructure and forgotten blight of South Louisiana and studied urban and environmental planning at the University of New Orleans. Breonne DeDecker was born near the headwaters of the Mississippi River and now resides at the end of it. She has degrees in photography and sustainable development.  Their current work, The Airline is a Very Long Road, is an experimental biography of Louisiana, which you can find at airlinehighway.tumblr.com.
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NEW LLANO, LOUISIANA We are looking for the ghost of the longest running secular socialist commune in American history, a town named New Llano that lies some twenty miles north of DeRidder.  On some maps it is Newllano. In some mouths it is pronounced New YAW-no, but many locals say New LAN-no. Confusion around basic details- the spelling, the pronunciation-seems to be a defining characteristic of the place. The geographic roots are also muddled. In 1914, the commune was born as the Llano del Rio Corporation in the California desert, and struggled there for three years before decamping to this rural corner of Louisiana. In 1917, Llano del Rio purchased the entire town of Stables, Louisiana from the Gulf Lumber Company, dreaming of a fresh start in the fertile South. Out of the 900 people living at Llano del Rio, only 65 journeyed from California to Louisiana. They re-christened the town New Llano, but the new name did not change the massive organizational and social problems within the community. The historical record surrounding the colony is strange. Much of what can be found speaks of New Llano, of Llano del Rio, in glowing terms. Colony members, and outside supporters, claimed New Llano was the first step towards dismantling capitalism, a community designed to share burdens and successes, a place where no man exploited the weak or favored the ruthless. All community members had equal say in how the town was run. The children and the elderly were well cared for, and no one wanted for food or clothing. These were all lies. This is an excerpt from an article by our new Louisiana guides, Breonne DeDecker and Darin Acosta.  Read more. Trust us. (Archival Images: Birds-Eye View of the Llano Cooperative Colony. Artist Unknown. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University; As Picket Sees It. Llano Colonist. August 28, 1937. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University.) * * * Darin Acosta has spent his entire life exploring and documenting the wetlands, oil infrastructure and forgotten blight of South Louisiana and studied urban and environmental planning at the University of New Orleans. Breonne DeDecker was born near the headwaters of the Mississippi River and now resides at the end of it. She has degrees in photography and sustainable development.  Their current work, The Airline is a Very Long Road, is an experimental biography of Louisiana, which you can find at airlinehighway.tumblr.com.
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NEW LLANO, LOUISIANA We are looking for the ghost of the longest running secular socialist commune in American history, a town named New Llano that lies some twenty miles north of DeRidder.  On some maps it is Newllano. In some mouths it is pronounced New YAW-no, but many locals say New LAN-no. Confusion around basic details- the spelling, the pronunciation-seems to be a defining characteristic of the place. The geographic roots are also muddled. In 1914, the commune was born as the Llano del Rio Corporation in the California desert, and struggled there for three years before decamping to this rural corner of Louisiana. In 1917, Llano del Rio purchased the entire town of Stables, Louisiana from the Gulf Lumber Company, dreaming of a fresh start in the fertile South. Out of the 900 people living at Llano del Rio, only 65 journeyed from California to Louisiana. They re-christened the town New Llano, but the new name did not change the massive organizational and social problems within the community. The historical record surrounding the colony is strange. Much of what can be found speaks of New Llano, of Llano del Rio, in glowing terms. Colony members, and outside supporters, claimed New Llano was the first step towards dismantling capitalism, a community designed to share burdens and successes, a place where no man exploited the weak or favored the ruthless. All community members had equal say in how the town was run. The children and the elderly were well cared for, and no one wanted for food or clothing. These were all lies. This is an excerpt from an article by our new Louisiana guides, Breonne DeDecker and Darin Acosta.  Read more. Trust us. (Archival Images: Birds-Eye View of the Llano Cooperative Colony. Artist Unknown. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University; As Picket Sees It. Llano Colonist. August 28, 1937. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University.) * * * Darin Acosta has spent his entire life exploring and documenting the wetlands, oil infrastructure and forgotten blight of South Louisiana and studied urban and environmental planning at the University of New Orleans. Breonne DeDecker was born near the headwaters of the Mississippi River and now resides at the end of it. She has degrees in photography and sustainable development.  Their current work, The Airline is a Very Long Road, is an experimental biography of Louisiana, which you can find at airlinehighway.tumblr.com.
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NEW LLANO, LOUISIANA

We are looking for the ghost of the longest running secular socialist commune in American history, a town named New Llano that lies some twenty miles north of DeRidder.  On some maps it is Newllano. In some mouths it is pronounced New YAW-no, but many locals say New LAN-no. Confusion around basic details- the spelling, the pronunciation-seems to be a defining characteristic of the place. The geographic roots are also muddled. In 1914, the commune was born as the Llano del Rio Corporation in the California desert, and struggled there for three years before decamping to this rural corner of Louisiana. In 1917, Llano del Rio purchased the entire town of Stables, Louisiana from the Gulf Lumber Company, dreaming of a fresh start in the fertile South. Out of the 900 people living at Llano del Rio, only 65 journeyed from California to Louisiana. They re-christened the town New Llano, but the new name did not change the massive organizational and social problems within the community.

The historical record surrounding the colony is strange. Much of what can be found speaks of New Llano, of Llano del Rio, in glowing terms. Colony members, and outside supporters, claimed New Llano was the first step towards dismantling capitalism, a community designed to share burdens and successes, a place where no man exploited the weak or favored the ruthless. All community members had equal say in how the town was run. The children and the elderly were well cared for, and no one wanted for food or clothing. These were all lies.

This is an excerpt from an article by our new Louisiana guides, Breonne DeDecker and Darin Acosta. 

Read more. Trust us.

(Archival Images: Birds-Eye View of the Llano Cooperative Colony. Artist Unknown. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University; As Picket Sees It. Llano Colonist. August 28, 1937. Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University.)

* * *

Darin Acosta has spent his entire life exploring and documenting the wetlands, oil infrastructure and forgotten blight of South Louisiana and studied urban and environmental planning at the University of New Orleans. Breonne DeDecker was born near the headwaters of the Mississippi River and now resides at the end of it. She has degrees in photography and sustainable development. 

Their current work, The Airline is a Very Long Road, is an experimental biography of Louisiana, which you can find at airlinehighway.tumblr.com.

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NEW LLANO, LOUISIANA (continued…)

By Breonne DeDecker

Our truck is level with the tops of skinny cypress trees. Interstate 10 between New Orleans and Houston is flat, except when the road rises to pass above the swamps and waterways. One great gyre in the interstate soars as high as the chemical flares from the oil refineries that mark the beginning of Cancer Alley. This overpass is the highest altitude you can access for miles.  At Lake Charles, the mid-point between New Orleans and Houston, Darin and I head north on LA 171 towards DeRidder. Twenty minutes up this highway grants us hills, slow-rolling and smooth. These small mounds are unremarkable, but living on the flat x-axis of the Gulf Coast makes one marvel at the slightest incline, makes the saddest swell of earth feel miraculous.

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MARDI GRAS - LAKE ARTHUR, LOUISIANA LAKE ARTHUR, 58.6 m. (8 alt., 1,602 pop.), is on the northern edge of the lake of the same name, in reality a widening of Mermentau River. Lake Arthur, settled largely by people of French descent from the older sections of Louisiana, was of some importance as early as 1890, when its first newspaper, the Lake Arthur Herald, was published. A long municipal pier extends into the lake, and a park stretches along the lake shore. Large moss-draped live oaks lend beauty to the town. … Neighboring waters abound with fish, especially cat, which grow to enormous size. —Louisiana, A Guide To the State (WPA, 1941) I started going when my band mate, Byron Sonnier, asked me if I’d be interested in attending his home town’s Mardi Gras celebration. I never turn down a good party so naturally I obliged. I have been attending for five years now. His family are like family to me at this point. I love them all and love the town and plan on attending as long as I can. These photos are a select few from the five years of documentation.   * * * Wes Frazer is a photographer who, when not photographing things, may be found swimming in rivers, attempting to surf, riding his motorcycle, or playing with his dog Bob. Wes grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, where he still lives. You can also find him online at wesfrazer.org, wesfrazer.tumblr.com, Instagram, and Twitter. 
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MARDI GRAS - LAKE ARTHUR, LOUISIANA LAKE ARTHUR, 58.6 m. (8 alt., 1,602 pop.), is on the northern edge of the lake of the same name, in reality a widening of Mermentau River. Lake Arthur, settled largely by people of French descent from the older sections of Louisiana, was of some importance as early as 1890, when its first newspaper, the Lake Arthur Herald, was published. A long municipal pier extends into the lake, and a park stretches along the lake shore. Large moss-draped live oaks lend beauty to the town. … Neighboring waters abound with fish, especially cat, which grow to enormous size. —Louisiana, A Guide To the State (WPA, 1941) I started going when my band mate, Byron Sonnier, asked me if I’d be interested in attending his home town’s Mardi Gras celebration. I never turn down a good party so naturally I obliged. I have been attending for five years now. His family are like family to me at this point. I love them all and love the town and plan on attending as long as I can. These photos are a select few from the five years of documentation.   * * * Wes Frazer is a photographer who, when not photographing things, may be found swimming in rivers, attempting to surf, riding his motorcycle, or playing with his dog Bob. Wes grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, where he still lives. You can also find him online at wesfrazer.org, wesfrazer.tumblr.com, Instagram, and Twitter. 
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MARDI GRAS - LAKE ARTHUR, LOUISIANA LAKE ARTHUR, 58.6 m. (8 alt., 1,602 pop.), is on the northern edge of the lake of the same name, in reality a widening of Mermentau River. Lake Arthur, settled largely by people of French descent from the older sections of Louisiana, was of some importance as early as 1890, when its first newspaper, the Lake Arthur Herald, was published. A long municipal pier extends into the lake, and a park stretches along the lake shore. Large moss-draped live oaks lend beauty to the town. … Neighboring waters abound with fish, especially cat, which grow to enormous size. —Louisiana, A Guide To the State (WPA, 1941) I started going when my band mate, Byron Sonnier, asked me if I’d be interested in attending his home town’s Mardi Gras celebration. I never turn down a good party so naturally I obliged. I have been attending for five years now. His family are like family to me at this point. I love them all and love the town and plan on attending as long as I can. These photos are a select few from the five years of documentation.   * * * Wes Frazer is a photographer who, when not photographing things, may be found swimming in rivers, attempting to surf, riding his motorcycle, or playing with his dog Bob. Wes grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, where he still lives. You can also find him online at wesfrazer.org, wesfrazer.tumblr.com, Instagram, and Twitter. 
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MARDI GRAS - LAKE ARTHUR, LOUISIANA LAKE ARTHUR, 58.6 m. (8 alt., 1,602 pop.), is on the northern edge of the lake of the same name, in reality a widening of Mermentau River. Lake Arthur, settled largely by people of French descent from the older sections of Louisiana, was of some importance as early as 1890, when its first newspaper, the Lake Arthur Herald, was published. A long municipal pier extends into the lake, and a park stretches along the lake shore. Large moss-draped live oaks lend beauty to the town. … Neighboring waters abound with fish, especially cat, which grow to enormous size. —Louisiana, A Guide To the State (WPA, 1941) I started going when my band mate, Byron Sonnier, asked me if I’d be interested in attending his home town’s Mardi Gras celebration. I never turn down a good party so naturally I obliged. I have been attending for five years now. His family are like family to me at this point. I love them all and love the town and plan on attending as long as I can. These photos are a select few from the five years of documentation.   * * * Wes Frazer is a photographer who, when not photographing things, may be found swimming in rivers, attempting to surf, riding his motorcycle, or playing with his dog Bob. Wes grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, where he still lives. You can also find him online at wesfrazer.org, wesfrazer.tumblr.com, Instagram, and Twitter. 
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MARDI GRAS - LAKE ARTHUR, LOUISIANA LAKE ARTHUR, 58.6 m. (8 alt., 1,602 pop.), is on the northern edge of the lake of the same name, in reality a widening of Mermentau River. Lake Arthur, settled largely by people of French descent from the older sections of Louisiana, was of some importance as early as 1890, when its first newspaper, the Lake Arthur Herald, was published. A long municipal pier extends into the lake, and a park stretches along the lake shore. Large moss-draped live oaks lend beauty to the town. … Neighboring waters abound with fish, especially cat, which grow to enormous size. —Louisiana, A Guide To the State (WPA, 1941) I started going when my band mate, Byron Sonnier, asked me if I’d be interested in attending his home town’s Mardi Gras celebration. I never turn down a good party so naturally I obliged. I have been attending for five years now. His family are like family to me at this point. I love them all and love the town and plan on attending as long as I can. These photos are a select few from the five years of documentation.   * * * Wes Frazer is a photographer who, when not photographing things, may be found swimming in rivers, attempting to surf, riding his motorcycle, or playing with his dog Bob. Wes grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, where he still lives. You can also find him online at wesfrazer.org, wesfrazer.tumblr.com, Instagram, and Twitter. 
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MARDI GRAS - LAKE ARTHUR, LOUISIANA LAKE ARTHUR, 58.6 m. (8 alt., 1,602 pop.), is on the northern edge of the lake of the same name, in reality a widening of Mermentau River. Lake Arthur, settled largely by people of French descent from the older sections of Louisiana, was of some importance as early as 1890, when its first newspaper, the Lake Arthur Herald, was published. A long municipal pier extends into the lake, and a park stretches along the lake shore. Large moss-draped live oaks lend beauty to the town. … Neighboring waters abound with fish, especially cat, which grow to enormous size. —Louisiana, A Guide To the State (WPA, 1941) I started going when my band mate, Byron Sonnier, asked me if I’d be interested in attending his home town’s Mardi Gras celebration. I never turn down a good party so naturally I obliged. I have been attending for five years now. His family are like family to me at this point. I love them all and love the town and plan on attending as long as I can. These photos are a select few from the five years of documentation.   * * * Wes Frazer is a photographer who, when not photographing things, may be found swimming in rivers, attempting to surf, riding his motorcycle, or playing with his dog Bob. Wes grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, where he still lives. You can also find him online at wesfrazer.org, wesfrazer.tumblr.com, Instagram, and Twitter. 
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MARDI GRAS - LAKE ARTHUR, LOUISIANA LAKE ARTHUR, 58.6 m. (8 alt., 1,602 pop.), is on the northern edge of the lake of the same name, in reality a widening of Mermentau River. Lake Arthur, settled largely by people of French descent from the older sections of Louisiana, was of some importance as early as 1890, when its first newspaper, the Lake Arthur Herald, was published. A long municipal pier extends into the lake, and a park stretches along the lake shore. Large moss-draped live oaks lend beauty to the town. … Neighboring waters abound with fish, especially cat, which grow to enormous size. —Louisiana, A Guide To the State (WPA, 1941) I started going when my band mate, Byron Sonnier, asked me if I’d be interested in attending his home town’s Mardi Gras celebration. I never turn down a good party so naturally I obliged. I have been attending for five years now. His family are like family to me at this point. I love them all and love the town and plan on attending as long as I can. These photos are a select few from the five years of documentation.   * * * Wes Frazer is a photographer who, when not photographing things, may be found swimming in rivers, attempting to surf, riding his motorcycle, or playing with his dog Bob. Wes grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, where he still lives. You can also find him online at wesfrazer.org, wesfrazer.tumblr.com, Instagram, and Twitter. 
Zoom
MARDI GRAS - LAKE ARTHUR, LOUISIANA LAKE ARTHUR, 58.6 m. (8 alt., 1,602 pop.), is on the northern edge of the lake of the same name, in reality a widening of Mermentau River. Lake Arthur, settled largely by people of French descent from the older sections of Louisiana, was of some importance as early as 1890, when its first newspaper, the Lake Arthur Herald, was published. A long municipal pier extends into the lake, and a park stretches along the lake shore. Large moss-draped live oaks lend beauty to the town. … Neighboring waters abound with fish, especially cat, which grow to enormous size. —Louisiana, A Guide To the State (WPA, 1941) I started going when my band mate, Byron Sonnier, asked me if I’d be interested in attending his home town’s Mardi Gras celebration. I never turn down a good party so naturally I obliged. I have been attending for five years now. His family are like family to me at this point. I love them all and love the town and plan on attending as long as I can. These photos are a select few from the five years of documentation.   * * * Wes Frazer is a photographer who, when not photographing things, may be found swimming in rivers, attempting to surf, riding his motorcycle, or playing with his dog Bob. Wes grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, where he still lives. You can also find him online at wesfrazer.org, wesfrazer.tumblr.com, Instagram, and Twitter. 
Zoom
MARDI GRAS - LAKE ARTHUR, LOUISIANA LAKE ARTHUR, 58.6 m. (8 alt., 1,602 pop.), is on the northern edge of the lake of the same name, in reality a widening of Mermentau River. Lake Arthur, settled largely by people of French descent from the older sections of Louisiana, was of some importance as early as 1890, when its first newspaper, the Lake Arthur Herald, was published. A long municipal pier extends into the lake, and a park stretches along the lake shore. Large moss-draped live oaks lend beauty to the town. … Neighboring waters abound with fish, especially cat, which grow to enormous size. —Louisiana, A Guide To the State (WPA, 1941) I started going when my band mate, Byron Sonnier, asked me if I’d be interested in attending his home town’s Mardi Gras celebration. I never turn down a good party so naturally I obliged. I have been attending for five years now. His family are like family to me at this point. I love them all and love the town and plan on attending as long as I can. These photos are a select few from the five years of documentation.   * * * Wes Frazer is a photographer who, when not photographing things, may be found swimming in rivers, attempting to surf, riding his motorcycle, or playing with his dog Bob. Wes grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, where he still lives. You can also find him online at wesfrazer.org, wesfrazer.tumblr.com, Instagram, and Twitter. 
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MARDI GRAS - LAKE ARTHUR, LOUISIANA

LAKE ARTHUR, 58.6 m. (8 alt., 1,602 pop.), is on the northern edge of the lake of the same name, in reality a widening of Mermentau River. Lake Arthur, settled largely by people of French descent from the older sections of Louisiana, was of some importance as early as 1890, when its first newspaper, the Lake Arthur Herald, was published. A long municipal pier extends into the lake, and a park stretches along the lake shore. Large moss-draped live oaks lend beauty to the town. … Neighboring waters abound with fish, especially cat, which grow to enormous size.

—Louisiana, A Guide To the State (WPA, 1941)

I started going when my band mate, Byron Sonnier, asked me if I’d be interested in attending his home town’s Mardi Gras celebration. I never turn down a good party so naturally I obliged. I have been attending for five years now. His family are like family to me at this point. I love them all and love the town and plan on attending as long as I can. These photos are a select few from the five years of documentation.  

* * *

Wes Frazer is a photographer who, when not photographing things, may be found swimming in rivers, attempting to surf, riding his motorcycle, or playing with his dog Bob. Wes grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, where he still lives. You can also find him online at wesfrazer.org, wesfrazer.tumblr.com, Instagram, and Twitter. 

The Roper

#AmericanGuideWeek dispatch from our friends at Lucid Inc.: The story of Kendrick, a young calf roper in Lafayette, Louisiana, who dreams of one day making it to the Las Vegas rodeo finals.

* * * 

Let Lucid Inc. be your guide. Follow on their website, Twitter (@todayislucid), and Facebook. 

Gombo Zhebes  (Gumbo of Herbs) There is a legend that this gumbo should be cooked on Holy Thursday for good luck. Upon passing the French Market on this day, you will hear the vendors crying, ‘Buy your seven greens for good luck!’ 2 tablespoons lard 2 tablespoons flour 1 bunch spinach, mustard greens, beet tops, turnip tops, outside leaves of Creole lettuce, green cabbage, green celery leaves, green onion tops or almost any combination of greens. Bacon strips, salt meat or a hambone. The hambone is preferable as it gives the best flavor. Chopped onion, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, green pepper, salt, pepper, red pepper pod.Wash the greens thoroughly and boil all together with sufficient water to cover. When tender take from fire, drain off water and save it. Make a roux by browning the flour in a deep pot with the lard. Add the onion and let brown. Fry the meat. While this is cooking chop the greens and other seasonings thoroughly. Add the greens, and fry for a few minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Add the water in which the greens  were boiled. Simmer in a covered pot about two hours. If it should get too thick add a little boiling water. Serve with boiled rice. — New Orleans City Guide (WPA, 1938)
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Gombo Zhebes  (Gumbo of Herbs) There is a legend that this gumbo should be cooked on Holy Thursday for good luck. Upon passing the French Market on this day, you will hear the vendors crying, ‘Buy your seven greens for good luck!’ 2 tablespoons lard 2 tablespoons flour 1 bunch spinach, mustard greens, beet tops, turnip tops, outside leaves of Creole lettuce, green cabbage, green celery leaves, green onion tops or almost any combination of greens. Bacon strips, salt meat or a hambone. The hambone is preferable as it gives the best flavor. Chopped onion, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, green pepper, salt, pepper, red pepper pod.Wash the greens thoroughly and boil all together with sufficient water to cover. When tender take from fire, drain off water and save it. Make a roux by browning the flour in a deep pot with the lard. Add the onion and let brown. Fry the meat. While this is cooking chop the greens and other seasonings thoroughly. Add the greens, and fry for a few minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Add the water in which the greens  were boiled. Simmer in a covered pot about two hours. If it should get too thick add a little boiling water. Serve with boiled rice. — New Orleans City Guide (WPA, 1938)
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Gombo Zhebes  (Gumbo of Herbs) There is a legend that this gumbo should be cooked on Holy Thursday for good luck. Upon passing the French Market on this day, you will hear the vendors crying, ‘Buy your seven greens for good luck!’ 2 tablespoons lard 2 tablespoons flour 1 bunch spinach, mustard greens, beet tops, turnip tops, outside leaves of Creole lettuce, green cabbage, green celery leaves, green onion tops or almost any combination of greens. Bacon strips, salt meat or a hambone. The hambone is preferable as it gives the best flavor. Chopped onion, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, green pepper, salt, pepper, red pepper pod.Wash the greens thoroughly and boil all together with sufficient water to cover. When tender take from fire, drain off water and save it. Make a roux by browning the flour in a deep pot with the lard. Add the onion and let brown. Fry the meat. While this is cooking chop the greens and other seasonings thoroughly. Add the greens, and fry for a few minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Add the water in which the greens  were boiled. Simmer in a covered pot about two hours. If it should get too thick add a little boiling water. Serve with boiled rice. — New Orleans City Guide (WPA, 1938)
Zoom
Gombo Zhebes  (Gumbo of Herbs) There is a legend that this gumbo should be cooked on Holy Thursday for good luck. Upon passing the French Market on this day, you will hear the vendors crying, ‘Buy your seven greens for good luck!’ 2 tablespoons lard 2 tablespoons flour 1 bunch spinach, mustard greens, beet tops, turnip tops, outside leaves of Creole lettuce, green cabbage, green celery leaves, green onion tops or almost any combination of greens. Bacon strips, salt meat or a hambone. The hambone is preferable as it gives the best flavor. Chopped onion, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, green pepper, salt, pepper, red pepper pod.Wash the greens thoroughly and boil all together with sufficient water to cover. When tender take from fire, drain off water and save it. Make a roux by browning the flour in a deep pot with the lard. Add the onion and let brown. Fry the meat. While this is cooking chop the greens and other seasonings thoroughly. Add the greens, and fry for a few minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Add the water in which the greens  were boiled. Simmer in a covered pot about two hours. If it should get too thick add a little boiling water. Serve with boiled rice. — New Orleans City Guide (WPA, 1938)
Zoom
Gombo Zhebes  (Gumbo of Herbs) There is a legend that this gumbo should be cooked on Holy Thursday for good luck. Upon passing the French Market on this day, you will hear the vendors crying, ‘Buy your seven greens for good luck!’ 2 tablespoons lard 2 tablespoons flour 1 bunch spinach, mustard greens, beet tops, turnip tops, outside leaves of Creole lettuce, green cabbage, green celery leaves, green onion tops or almost any combination of greens. Bacon strips, salt meat or a hambone. The hambone is preferable as it gives the best flavor. Chopped onion, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, green pepper, salt, pepper, red pepper pod.Wash the greens thoroughly and boil all together with sufficient water to cover. When tender take from fire, drain off water and save it. Make a roux by browning the flour in a deep pot with the lard. Add the onion and let brown. Fry the meat. While this is cooking chop the greens and other seasonings thoroughly. Add the greens, and fry for a few minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Add the water in which the greens  were boiled. Simmer in a covered pot about two hours. If it should get too thick add a little boiling water. Serve with boiled rice. — New Orleans City Guide (WPA, 1938)
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Gombo Zhebes  (Gumbo of Herbs) There is a legend that this gumbo should be cooked on Holy Thursday for good luck. Upon passing the French Market on this day, you will hear the vendors crying, ‘Buy your seven greens for good luck!’ 2 tablespoons lard 2 tablespoons flour 1 bunch spinach, mustard greens, beet tops, turnip tops, outside leaves of Creole lettuce, green cabbage, green celery leaves, green onion tops or almost any combination of greens. Bacon strips, salt meat or a hambone. The hambone is preferable as it gives the best flavor. Chopped onion, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, green pepper, salt, pepper, red pepper pod.Wash the greens thoroughly and boil all together with sufficient water to cover. When tender take from fire, drain off water and save it. Make a roux by browning the flour in a deep pot with the lard. Add the onion and let brown. Fry the meat. While this is cooking chop the greens and other seasonings thoroughly. Add the greens, and fry for a few minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Add the water in which the greens  were boiled. Simmer in a covered pot about two hours. If it should get too thick add a little boiling water. Serve with boiled rice. — New Orleans City Guide (WPA, 1938)
Zoom
Gombo Zhebes  (Gumbo of Herbs) There is a legend that this gumbo should be cooked on Holy Thursday for good luck. Upon passing the French Market on this day, you will hear the vendors crying, ‘Buy your seven greens for good luck!’ 2 tablespoons lard 2 tablespoons flour 1 bunch spinach, mustard greens, beet tops, turnip tops, outside leaves of Creole lettuce, green cabbage, green celery leaves, green onion tops or almost any combination of greens. Bacon strips, salt meat or a hambone. The hambone is preferable as it gives the best flavor. Chopped onion, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, green pepper, salt, pepper, red pepper pod.Wash the greens thoroughly and boil all together with sufficient water to cover. When tender take from fire, drain off water and save it. Make a roux by browning the flour in a deep pot with the lard. Add the onion and let brown. Fry the meat. While this is cooking chop the greens and other seasonings thoroughly. Add the greens, and fry for a few minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Add the water in which the greens  were boiled. Simmer in a covered pot about two hours. If it should get too thick add a little boiling water. Serve with boiled rice. — New Orleans City Guide (WPA, 1938)
Zoom
Gombo Zhebes  (Gumbo of Herbs) There is a legend that this gumbo should be cooked on Holy Thursday for good luck. Upon passing the French Market on this day, you will hear the vendors crying, ‘Buy your seven greens for good luck!’ 2 tablespoons lard 2 tablespoons flour 1 bunch spinach, mustard greens, beet tops, turnip tops, outside leaves of Creole lettuce, green cabbage, green celery leaves, green onion tops or almost any combination of greens. Bacon strips, salt meat or a hambone. The hambone is preferable as it gives the best flavor. Chopped onion, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, green pepper, salt, pepper, red pepper pod.Wash the greens thoroughly and boil all together with sufficient water to cover. When tender take from fire, drain off water and save it. Make a roux by browning the flour in a deep pot with the lard. Add the onion and let brown. Fry the meat. While this is cooking chop the greens and other seasonings thoroughly. Add the greens, and fry for a few minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Add the water in which the greens  were boiled. Simmer in a covered pot about two hours. If it should get too thick add a little boiling water. Serve with boiled rice. — New Orleans City Guide (WPA, 1938)
Zoom
Gombo Zhebes  (Gumbo of Herbs) There is a legend that this gumbo should be cooked on Holy Thursday for good luck. Upon passing the French Market on this day, you will hear the vendors crying, ‘Buy your seven greens for good luck!’ 2 tablespoons lard 2 tablespoons flour 1 bunch spinach, mustard greens, beet tops, turnip tops, outside leaves of Creole lettuce, green cabbage, green celery leaves, green onion tops or almost any combination of greens. Bacon strips, salt meat or a hambone. The hambone is preferable as it gives the best flavor. Chopped onion, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, green pepper, salt, pepper, red pepper pod.Wash the greens thoroughly and boil all together with sufficient water to cover. When tender take from fire, drain off water and save it. Make a roux by browning the flour in a deep pot with the lard. Add the onion and let brown. Fry the meat. While this is cooking chop the greens and other seasonings thoroughly. Add the greens, and fry for a few minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Add the water in which the greens  were boiled. Simmer in a covered pot about two hours. If it should get too thick add a little boiling water. Serve with boiled rice. — New Orleans City Guide (WPA, 1938)
Zoom
Gombo Zhebes  (Gumbo of Herbs) There is a legend that this gumbo should be cooked on Holy Thursday for good luck. Upon passing the French Market on this day, you will hear the vendors crying, ‘Buy your seven greens for good luck!’ 2 tablespoons lard 2 tablespoons flour 1 bunch spinach, mustard greens, beet tops, turnip tops, outside leaves of Creole lettuce, green cabbage, green celery leaves, green onion tops or almost any combination of greens. Bacon strips, salt meat or a hambone. The hambone is preferable as it gives the best flavor. Chopped onion, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, green pepper, salt, pepper, red pepper pod.Wash the greens thoroughly and boil all together with sufficient water to cover. When tender take from fire, drain off water and save it. Make a roux by browning the flour in a deep pot with the lard. Add the onion and let brown. Fry the meat. While this is cooking chop the greens and other seasonings thoroughly. Add the greens, and fry for a few minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Add the water in which the greens  were boiled. Simmer in a covered pot about two hours. If it should get too thick add a little boiling water. Serve with boiled rice. — New Orleans City Guide (WPA, 1938)
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Gombo Zhebes  
(Gumbo of Herbs)

There is a legend that this gumbo should be cooked on Holy Thursday for good luck. Upon passing the French Market on this day, you will hear the vendors crying, ‘Buy your seven greens for good luck!’

2 tablespoons lard
2 tablespoons flour
1 bunch spinach, mustard greens, beet tops, turnip tops, outside leaves of Creole lettuce, green cabbage, green celery leaves, green onion tops or almost any combination of greens.

Bacon strips, salt meat or a hambone. The hambone is preferable as it gives the best flavor.

Chopped onion, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, green pepper, salt, pepper, red pepper pod.

Wash the greens thoroughly and boil all together with sufficient water to cover. When tender take from fire, drain off water and save it. Make a roux by browning the flour in a deep pot with the lard. Add the onion and let brown. Fry the meat. While this is cooking chop the greens and other seasonings thoroughly. Add the greens, and fry for a few minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Add the water in which the greens  were boiled. Simmer in a covered pot about two hours. If it should get too thick add a little boiling water. Serve with boiled rice.

— New Orleans City Guide (WPA, 1938)