Louisiana Through My Lens - Why is there a Cannon embedded in a Baton Rouge Sidewalk?

Anyone walking down 3rd Street in downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana, may notice a strange cylindrical metal object sticking out of the sidewalk. The object is quite obscure, leading many to believe it could be an old sewer pipe or something similar. Most people who pass by tend not to give it a second thought. 

However, if you happen to be curious about this unusual object embedded in the sidewalk, a nearby historical marker might provide some clues.

Railroading In The South | January 2026 | Trains in Arkansas & Louisiana | Rails West

Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey

We are well into 2026, and I’ve promised myself to do a better job of sharing my railroad photos. Although I didn’t take many pictures in January, I really like the ones I did capture. These photos were taken in my usual spots, including Leesville, Bunkie, and Baton Rouge in Louisiana, as well as Ashdown and DeQueen in Arkansas. 

A Collection Of The Most Fascinating Places To Visit in Louisiana! | Your Guide To Louisiana Travel

Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey

Joseph Jefferson House & Rip Van Winkle Gardens is truly one of the most captivating destinations in Louisiana. This remarkable historic site beautifully combines a rich past with stunning natural beauty, offering visitors a chance to step into a different world, far removed from the everyday hustle of southern Louisiana life. Nestled on the shores of Lake Peigneur at Jefferson Island, the gardens are meticulously maintained and filled with vibrant, lush plants. As you stroll through the pathways, the enticing array of colors and fragrances creates an enchanting atmosphere, making it easy to imagine you’ve traveled to a distant exotic locale.

How Alexandria Louisiana Earned the Title of "UFO Capital of the World" in the 1940s

 Written By Ken Hulsey

In the summer of 1947, our views on what might be flying in the sky changed dramatically with the introduction of the term "Flying Saucer." This new phrase emerged after a pilot named Kenneth Arnold spotted several unusual objects while flying near Mount Rainier in Washington State. One clear morning, he saw these mysterious objects moving swiftly and smoothly through the air. When he described how they looked, he noted that they glided like saucers skipping across water. This captivating story caught the public's attention, and the term "Flying Saucer" quickly became a part of everyday language, intriguing people everywhere.

Louisiana Through My Lens | The Remains of the Red River & Gulf Railroad Depot in Lecompte

 Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey

Tucked away in the brush in a field just south of Lecompte, Louisiana, is the intriguing remains of the former depot of the Red River & Gulf Railroad. This historic depot, which was constructed in 1906, was a pivotal stop for the railroad until its closure in 1954. If you take a moment to gaze towards the left side of the depot (In one of the photos below), you’ll spot a noticeable gap in the treeline where the Red River & Gulf tracks once existed.

Eyewitness Films Mysterious White UFOs Over DeRidder | Tales of the Unexplained

 Written By Ken Hulsey

On the evening of December 2nd, a young woman experienced a breathtaking spectacle in the skies above Deridder, Louisiana, an event that would leave many questioning the ordinary. While maneuvering into her driveway, she glanced westward and was captivated by a brilliant white object that seemed to burst forth from what appeared to be a circular anomaly in the sky—a phenomenon reminiscent of a sonic boom. 

A Wonderful Fall Walk Through The Town of Long Leaf | Louisiana Through My Lens

 Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey

I've been holding onto these images for nearly a month now, and I really wanted to share them sooner. Life has been a whirlwind lately, so I’m catching up on my 2025 inventory of images before I dive into creating fresh content for 2026. Back in late November, my adventures took me through the heart of the state, and I made a stop at one of my all-time favorite places: the historic town of Long Leaf.

Louisiana Through My Lens: Louisiana Boardwalk in Bossier City

 Photos and Stories by Ken Hulsey

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to visit the Shreveport/Bossier City area for an early safety meeting. After these meetings, I love to find a peaceful spot where I can walk, stretch my legs, and enjoy some quiet time with the Lord. On this occasion, I found myself drawn to the Louisiana Boardwalk along the beautiful Red River.

Sweet Treats and Good Eats - Borden's Ice Cream Shoppe in Lafayette, Louisiana

 Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey

I’ve driven past Borden's Ice Cream Shoppe countless times during my trips to Lafayette, and each time, that charming forties-style building always draws my attention. I've wanted to check it out for so long, but as a diabetic, indulging in ice cream has always felt like a forbidden temptation. However, this past Saturday was special because my wife and I had our young granddaughter with us, which gave us the perfect reason to finally stop in.

 

Louisiana Through My Lens: Why Did Cheneyville Fade Away Over the Years?

 Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey

Nestled in the heart of Louisiana, the charming town of Cheneyville boasts a close-knit community of around 600 residents. While it may not be a Ghost Town by any stretch of the imagination, the echoes of its bustling past resonate through the quiet streets lined with picturesque, yet sadly abandoned, houses and storefronts. These structures stand as reminders of the once-vibrant life that thrived here, evoking a sense of nostalgia for those who remember the town's heyday.

The True History of Sarto Bridge's Haunted Cowboy and Horse

Photos and Story By Ken Hulsey

Horror fans worldwide know the famous tale of the Headless Horseman, or Galloping Hessian, which author Washington Irving immortalized in his novel, *The Legend of Sleepy Hollow*. However, many Louisiana residents are unaware that there is a legendary ghostly rider right here in the Pelican State.

Haunted Louisiana | Lost Souls in Forgotten Plantations | Ghostly Travelers

 Written By Ken Hulsey

Travelers venturing along Highway One in Louisiana, weaving through the eerie woodland that connects Baton Rouge to Shreveport, should keep a wary eye for a ghostly figure rumored to haunt this stretch. Witnesses have reported encountering the spirit of a woman dressed in 'slave era' attire—her presence felt between Lettsworth and Simmesport. Clad in a tan or peach blouse, a flowing white skirt, and a traditional headwrap, this elusive apparition is strikingly featureless and appears to glide just above the ground. Eyewitness accounts reveal that she often gestures towards the road, waving her arms in silent urgency. Yet, when drivers pause or glance back in their rearview mirrors, she'll vanish without a trace, leaving only a chilling reminder of her fleeting encounter.

Louisiana Through My Lens - A Foggy Morning Walk Through Shreveport Riverview Park

 Photos and Story By Ken Hulsey

Last week, I stayed overnight in Shreveport because I had an early morning meeting in Bossier City. After the meeting, I decided to visit one of my favorite places in Shreveport, Riverview Park, which is located alongside the majestic Red River. The weather was pleasantly cool for a change, with a lovely layer of fog hanging in the air, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to stretch my legs and take some photos of the area.

What Is the Rougarou and Why Does It Haunt Louisiana Bayous

 Written By Ken Hulsey

Over the past decade, I've carved out a niche for myself by delving into the rich tapestry of myths and legends that have long captivated the imaginations of those living in the enchanting realm of California. Among the various tales I've explored, the most widely recognized was an article I co-authored with my wife, Terri, which focused on the enigmatic Bigfoot sightings in the sun-drenched deserts of Southern California. This piece garnered attention in numerous esteemed publications about this legendary cryptid, even earning a prominent spot on the Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce website.

Tales of the Unexplained - The Rougarou Roams The Bayous of Louisiana

As many of you know I have made quite a name for myself over the past decade for writing a series of articles about the myths and legends that have stirred peoples imaginations for decades in the golden state of California. The most popular of these articles was the one that I co wrote with my wife Terri about Bigfoot sightings in the desert regions of Southern California. That article was quoted in several prominent works about the legendary cryptid as well as being prominently featured on Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce website.

Now that I have left California and its insane cost of living and rising crime rates for the land of God fearing, level headed folk here in Louisiana I thought that it would be in my best interest to find out just what kind of creatures are lurking in the bayou that runs literally a stones throw from my front door.

According to reports, there be werewolves about.

In the swampy bayous of the south, the beast is known as the “rougarou” or the “loup-garou.” The legend of the wolf-man like creatures began centuries ago in France. The tales arrived in the states with French immigrants and evolved over time.

The swamp creature is said to stand seven to eight feet in height, is covered in wet brown and black tangled hair and has glowing red eyes along with large canine-like teeth. The original monster was thought to have been born from a mutation. Victims might suffer the same fate if bitten by the beast or upon being cursed by a witch.

Today, the rougarou is one of the most popular characters of Bayou folklore. However, as wolves are not indigenous to Louisiana, the creature is now thought to be a shapeshifter that transforms into various common animals. Regardless of the form he takes, the creature is no less dangerous.

The story of the Rougarou was often told to children in an attempt to keep them from wandering or to make them behave. However, the tale prevails and many adults continue believing in the creature’s existence. After Hurricane Katrina, some heard strange growling sounds during the night, which led people to believe the monster may have left the swamps and entered the city of New Orleans via the flood waters.

Check Out:

Tales of the Unexplained - The Texas Big Bird Of 1976

Searching For Bigfoot In The Bayou State Of Louisiana

Today I had the pleasure of meeting up with Craig Woolheater (the founder of the wonderful cryptozoology website Cryptomundo) and several other Bigfoot researchers at Chicot State Park. Craig ventured out of his home state of Texas and joined us here in the swamp to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his life-changing sighting of a Bigfoot in 1994 near the town of Bunkie in Avoyelles Parish (LA).

I couldn't pass up an opportunity to meet fellow enthusiasts and find out more about Craig's encounter since Bunkie is literally fifteen minutes down the road from my home in Lecompte (LA). It also didn't hurt that I have known Craig for several years and I was once a contributor to his website.

Here is Craig's published report of the sighting:

"My ex-wife (girlfriend at the time) and I were driving back to Dallas from New Orleans. We had started out ‪at 9 pm‬. I was driving my 1991 Isuzu Amigo, and the top was rolled up because the weather was nice. We had been traveling between 2 1/2 to 3 hours at 75 mph. We were approaching Bunkie. At this point, we were on an unlit 2-lane highway, Highway 71. On the left side of the road, it was very swampy, to the right 25 to 30 feet from the edge of the road, was the tree line.

As we were driving at approximately 75 mph, we saw an upright figure off to our right in the headlights. We both saw it as we passed and exclaimed simultaneously, "Did you just see what I saw?". We both agreed that we had and I asked her, "What do you think that you saw?". She said, "It think I saw a Bigfoot." I wanted to immediately turn around and go back. She did not as we were in an open convertible. There was a friend of ours asleep in the back seat, who slept through the entire incident.

As we passed it, it never seemed to detect our presence. At least that's the way it seemed because it never turned or even flinched as we went by.

We drove for 10-15 minutes until we came to a small church in the country and pulled in to talk about what we had seen. We discussed it for ten minutes or so and got back on the road to Dallas.

DESCRIPTION: We saw the backside of the creature, as it was traveling in the same direction that we were. We estimated its height at 7'. It was covered with hair and in the illumination of my headlights, it appeared to be gray in color. It was walking and it was slumped over in the front."

Besides being able to hear about Craig's encounter first hand the event provided the opportunity for several of us to share our own stories and brain-storm about possible future expeditions, town hall meetings (where people could feel comfortable about sharing their own sightings) and even a documentary in the future. The idea of even expanding future investigations to other paranormal phenomena such as hauntings and UFOs was also touched upon but that may be getting way ahead of ourselves. Regardless, there was a consensus that local researchers should get together in the future to work on Bigfoot related projects.

This is where I would like to put forward an open invitation to anyone who has seen Bigfoot or any other unexplained creature here in Louisiana to respond to this article or contact myself through this website. The reason for this call for information is to help compile a database of local sightings for future articles, research, expeditions and possibly the documentary I mentioned earlier. These reports can of course be anonymous if you wish and no reported sighting will be published without consent.

My kudos to Mark Daniels, Eden Boudreaux, Courtnye Ann Frederic, Valerie Bamburg Guice, Elise Orr. Sasquatch Ethology Society, The Ladies of Louisiana and Mississippi for making this event possible.