Louisiana's Designated Memorial Highways and Roadways
Embark on a journey through Louisiana’s history with a tour of the state’s designated memorial roadways. These roads honor the people and events that have shaped our communities, from leaders and veterans to cultural icons and pivotal historical moments. Unfortunately, many of these stories remain untold. Our project seeks to change that by shedding light on the achievements, service, and sacrifices recognized through the state’s roadway naming program. By exploring these memorials, we aim to preserve their legacies and share the rich history behind each designation, ensuring their contributions are remembered and appreciated for generations to come.
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Johnny Wyatt Memorial Highway: Honoring a Legacy of Service, Leadership, and Community Impact
Sweeping across a key corridor of Bossier Parish, the Johnny Wyatt Memorial Highway serves to do more than connect points on a map—it connects a community to the enduring legacy of one of its most dedicated public servants.
Tunica Trace Memorial Byway: A Route To Treasure
Within the historic area of St. Francisville, Louisiana, Tunica Trace Byway, one of the oldest roads in the state of Louisiana, serves as a pathway of cultural preservation and heritage.
Reverend A.L. O'Brien Memorial Highway: Remembering a Locally Beloved Evangelist.
Starks, Louisiana dedicated a portion of Louisiana Highway 109 to a Reverend that served their community for decades.
The "James 'Terry' Watson Memorial Highway": More than than a memorial for a life lost, but a reminder of a life lived.: One man's passion for adventure and helping other led to a life of service both at home and around the globe: The story of James 'Terry' Watson
From the opium fields of Afghanistan to the narrow city streets of Bogota, Colombia, DEA agent James 'Terry' Watson traveled to some of the most dangerous locales around the globe disrupting major international drug pipelines. His journey into this harrowing world fit for a television series started humbly though, from the small town of Holly Ridge, Louisiana.
Chess Richardson Memorial Bridge: A historic bridge for a small town ledgend
From Confederate Army Colonel to State Senator
Doris Coleman Guillory Memorial Bridge: The Legend from Longville
From high school basketball courts to the professional arena, Doris Coleman Guillory paved the way for female athletes.
Nickie Gene Voinche Memorial Bridge: "An extraordinary but ordinary man"
Bridge on Highway 190 in Livonia, Louisiana named after Superintendent who oversaw its construction.
Semper Fidelis: The "Corporal Matthew Thomas Richard Memorial Highway": From Iota to Afghanistan, the life and legacy of Corporal Matthew Thomas Richard.
Hailing from the small Louisiana town of Iota, Corporal Matthew Thomas Richard joined the United States Marine Corps with the goal of serving his country. Deployed to Helmund Province, Afghanistan, Corporal Thomas tragically lost his life to an IED explosion, but his legacy goes far beyond his death overseas.
A.C. Schiro Memorial Highway: Merryville High School Coach to Sheriff Deputy
A coach is a passionate and dedicated person that encourages and develops a team or player
E.J. "Lionel" Grizzaffi: The Man who gave a life of Service in Morgan City
Emanuel Joseph “Lionel” Grizzaffi was a Morgan City civic leader whose life combined business, public service, and community involvement.
The Corporal Clovis Wayne “J.R.” Searcy Jr. Memorial Highway: The Life and Leagacy of Corporal Clovis Wayne “J.R.” Searcy Jr.
After two days of fighting for his life, Corporal Clovis Wayne "J.R." Searcy of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office tragically lost his life to wounds sustained in the line of duty. A dedicated family man and community service member, Corporal Searcy left a legacy of love and service behind him.
LA Airborne Memorial Bridge: The Gateway to Acadiana
The LA Airborne Memorial Bridge consists of twin spans along I-10 that connect Baton Rouge to Acadiana. It stands as a symbol of Louisiana’s expansion.
Sam A. Siracusa: How Sam A. Siracusa built a legacy that extended far beyond business into the heart of local life
A small town businessman became one of Morgan City’s most influential leaders through hard work, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to his community.
Joseph D. Waggonner, Jr. Highway: Honoring the work of a Louisiana Congressman
Joseph D. Waggonner Jr. was a Louisiana Congressman who served nine terms from 1961 to 1979. Throughout his life, he was involved with the Local, State, and National Government and earned countless…
Horace Wilkinson Bridge: A bridge that was welded and elevated to preserve the legacy of three generations.
Horace Wilkinson Bridge is a bridge constructed to honor the legacy of three separate Horace Wilkinsons who served in the Louisiana Legislature for years.
Cecil B. Tramel Memorial Highway- The Legacy of a Liberator: The Legacy of the Liberators
In June of 1944, Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France in what was the opening act of the liberation of greater Europe. As the invasion led deeper into France, Louisiana-native Cecil B. Tramel gave his life on August 20 in Argentan, France. His legacy as a liberator is told through the lens of the wider advancement into France.
Johnny Wyatt Memorial Highway: The memory of former Bossier City Marshal
A man of law enforcement that will never be forgotten
A.J. Davis Memorial Highway: A Louisiana Pilot's Final Flight
In the heart of Louisiana, where old live oaks stretch out over the bayou roads, there's a highway named after a local hero. This man answered his country's call to serve from the cockpit of a…
Stephen E. Ambrose Memorial Parkway: Founder, Fraud, or Something In-between?
The Stephen E. Ambrose Memorial Parkway is a part of I-10, which was named after a famous American historian who spent most of his career writing about the soldiers who fought in the Second World War, Stephen Ambrose. Ambrose accomplished much during his lifetime and was one of the founders of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. However, his legacy was tainted when he was accused of a pattern of academic dishonesty in his work. The question now remains: How should he be remembered?
A (Huey P.) Long Story: Sam Houston Jones Parkway: LA Highway 378 through Moss Bluff, Louisiana
Louisiana Memorial Highway 18 is named the Sam Houston Jones Parkway. The horizontal portion of Louisiana Highway 378 (LA 378) located in northeast Calcasieu Parish is dedicated in Sam Houston Jones’s honor. The parkway runs from Louisiana Highway 171 in Moss Bluff to Sam Houston Jones State Park. Jones worked to historically preserve the area of Calcasieu Parish, where the parkway is located.
Preserving Louisiana’s Coastline: The Rodney Guilbeaux Memorial Highway: LA Highway 82 through Cameron Parish, Louisiana along the coastline
Louisiana Memorial Highway 102 is named the Rodney Guilbeaux Memorial Highway. Senate Bill 737 was passed in 2008, which designated the portion of Louisiana Highway 82 (LA 82) located in Cameron Parish in Rodney Guilbeaux’s honor. Guilbeaux was a native to Cameron Parish; he lived on, worked down, and advocated for coastal preservation on LA 82.
Pyook: A Nickname for Legacy
Born on June 26, 1960, Albert Berard grew up in South Louisiana listening to Cajun music and had sought to follow in the footsteps of his culture at a young age. By eleven years old, Berard had begun…
Frank Davis “Naturally N’Awlins” Memorial Bridge: The Legacy of a Louisiana Celebrity
The legacy of Frank Davis can be found in the popularity of Louisiana's food and the unique culture within New Orleans. Davis was a radio and television personality who showcased the wonders that could be found in New Orleans and its people to a broader audience. The impact of his work can still be found in and around New Orleans. It is why his name now marks the I-10 Twin Span Bridge.
The Barrow Approach: A Lesson in Leadership
A young man from St. Francisville would join the Marine Corps in 1942. He would lead men through the jungles of China & Vietnam, and up frostbitten hills in Korea. Forty one years later, he would retire a decorated General, having helped modernize the Marine Crops for the later half of the 20th century.
John James Audubon Memorial Bridge: A Bridge of the Birds
John James Audubon was an influential figure in American ornithology, wildlife art, and natural science during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. However, even for his time, he was a controversial figure due to his shady academic practices and racism. Despite these darker aspects of his past, many organizations and locations across the country bear Audubon's name today to celebrate America's natural beauty and environmental conservation. The John James Audubon Bridge is no different.
The Creole Cowboy of Pied des Chiens: Wilson Anthony 'Boozoo' Chavis Memorial Highway: Louisiana Highway 385
Louisiana Memorial Highway number 103 is known as the Wilson Anthony 'Boozoo' Chavis Memorial Highway. The highway runs south of Lake Charles towards Cameron Parish, east of Calcasieu Lake. It was passed as Senate Bill Number 737 in August of 2008.
"The Blessed Company:" SSG William Francis ‘Bill’ Manuel Memorial Highway and Overpass: U.S. Highway 165
Louisiana Memorial Highway number 93 is known as the SSG William Francis ‘Bill’ Manuel Memorial Highway and is a portion of U.S. Highway 165 in Kinder, Louisiana. This is also the location of the casino that Manuel worked at before deployment. Leading up to the highway is the overpass also named after him.
Tiger Tracks: SSG Robert "Pete" Sweat Memorial Highway: Louisiana Highway 10
Louisiana Memorial Highway number 113 is a portion of Louisiana highway 10 that runs until the location of the Occupy II Baptist Church in Pitkin, Louisiana and is designated as the SSG Robert “Pete” Sweat Memorial Highway as of August 15, 2011.
Seven Oaks Boulevard: A History Lost to Greed
Seven Oaks Boulevard was named after the plantation that once sat along its route. From the beginning of the Louisiana colony to the First World War, this stately piece of land was home to many generations of Louisianians. Unfortunately, all that now remains of the Seven Oaks plantation are memorials enshrining its memory and the relics that lie buried on the property.
“The Place Where Everybody Is Somebody”: State Representative Pinkie Wilkerson Memorial Interchange: I-20 & LA 149 interchange in Grambling, Louisiana
Louisiana Memorial Highway 148 is named the State Representative Pinkie Wilkerson Memorial Interchange. The small connection located at the intersection of Interstate 20 and Louisiana Highway 149, sits north of Grambling, Wilkerson’s hometown. House Bill 104 was passed in 2015 which designated the piece of road in her name. Wilkerson advocated for better lighting in the Louisiana legislature at the exact I-20 exit to commemorate her contributions to and in Grambling.
The Larose Link: An Underrated Connection
In October of 1961, the small town of Larose was met with an unusual kind of festivity. Jimmie Davis, a country-gospel singer turned Governor of Louisiana sang the popular songs "You Are My Sunshine" and “Peace in the Valley”, replete with his own backup vocal group known as the Plainsmen. Following this, ribbons were cut, and Jimmie & his wife rode in an open top convertible to the nearby high school football stadium, with the town of Larose parading all the way with him. All of this was to celebrate the opening of the newly built West Larose Bridge, known also as the Larose Link.
Blue Dogs and Bayous: The George Rodrigue Memorial Overpass: US Highway 90 and LA Highway 83 Intersection
Louisiana Memorial Highway no. 135 is known as the George Rodrigue Memorial Overpass. The overpass located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 90 and Louisiana Highway 83, just north of the outskirts of New Iberia, Rodrigue’s hometown. It was passed as House Bill no. 402 and designated August of 2014.