What's in a Name?: Rayne (2008)
Louisiana: The State We're In
Details
Collection:LPB
Genre: Newsmagazine
Place Covered: Rayne, Acadia Parish, Louisiana, 30.2206086, -92.2686603
Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority
Date Issued: 2008-11-14
Duration: 00:08:09
Subjects: Frogs | RAILROADS | CEMETERIES | St. Joseph's Cemetery (Rayne, La.) | Frog legs trade | Mural painting and decoration | PAINTINGS | FESTIVALS | Rayne Frog Festival
Contributors:
- Whinham, Charlie Producer
- Woods, Virnado Photographer
- Woods, Virnado Editor
- Olinger, Tony Interviewee
- McCarty, Cheryl Interviewee
- Sanford, Shauna Host
Description
This segment from the November 14, 2008, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Charlie Whinham’s visit to Rayne, Louisiana, the self-proclaimed “Frog Capital of the World.” Whinham talks to town historians Tony Olinger and Cheryl McCarty about: three possible origin stories for Rayne’s name; the influence of the railroad on the town limits in the 19th century; St. Joseph’s Cemetery as the only known cemetery in the world where the plots face north to south instead of east to west; Rayne as an exporter of frog legs; the town sending two bullfrogs to space for medical research; the murals of frogs around town, including Depot Square; and the history of the Frog Festival. This story is a part of the “What’s in a Name?” series. Host: Shauna Sanford