Columbia, Maryland is a newer city and was designed with one purpose in mind: the desire to create an environment without religious or racial problems or segregation of the classes. A Utopian dream that springboarded the success of the Columbia of today. Famed for their indoor and outdoor tennis courts, Columbia boasts some of the most highly attended tennis games in the country. Ice skating is also popular with the residents and they have an incredible array of rinks. They are the proud home of the Goodfellas basketball team and every game is decked out with team colors and the latest in high tech basketball scoreboards attention.

The developer and creator of the concept of Columbia was James W. Rouse. Little would he know that his 1967 planned city community would not only accomplish the dream that he set out with, but surpass it. Rouse wanted the town to overcome all of the stumbling blocks that many areas experienced. He included schools, medical facilities, job opportunities and ease of shopping for the residents. The plan also added to the topic of taxes. The assumption that the commercial interests would cover enough of the property taxes, so that the residents would not be levied heavily. Rouse met with experts from the social sciences to coordinate the very best for Columbia. Meetings were held on the analysis of what would work in a community environment to encourage an enlightened and rich diversity. The designers offered innovative concepts for inter-faith religious freedoms, recreation, and social interaction as just a few of the topics.

The planners were known as The Work Group, and set about creating ten unique villages to reflect their dream community. The area was to maintain a small town atmosphere, while offering the freedoms that were out of reach in so many places in the country. The center would be The Mall in Columbia and a man made lake. The first village known as Wilde Lake Village constructed the Wilde Lake School which was to be set as an example as a national model school. The neighborhoods were design with a combination of single family homes, condos, townhouses, and apartments. There were some that seemed to be leveled at a more exclusive price tag. The goal of all children of all economic backgrounds attending the same school would help to integrate the quality of life they so hoped to achieve.

Imagination and the arts was also part of the community. Street names for each community or village were from famous literary and work of art. It was not uncommon for visitors to stroll through one of the villages and begin recognizing names from J.R.R. Tolkien, Mark Twain or Robert Frost novels. The performing arts were another focus of Rouse’s community, and the Columbia of today offers dinner theatres, music and festivals.

Rouse dreamed of the villages as self-contained communities where people could live, thrive and enjoy their lives. However, his dream took a bit of a turn when the area actually turned into a series of what we call bedroom communities. More akin to the suburbs, with easy transportation access to the malls and big box retail stores, it is not certain that this was the actual idea that Rouse and his planners had in mind. Sports is a favorite past time, with the residents enjoying year round tennis as well as ice skating and basketball. Their basketball scoreboards offer fans and participants the excitement of a game and the relaxation of a day with the family.

Money Magazine has continued to rank Columbia not only in the top ten best places to live, but each year it is raised on the count list. The people of the Columbia area are devoutly protective and proud of their town and much of the original concept of Columbia stands on Rouse’s dream.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia,_Maryland

The area we now know as Greenville Mississippi is actually the third city that is called by that name. During the establishment, history, destruction and rebirth, the people of Greenville never let their city die. This is the same attitude the people of Greenville have today and they approach everything they do with that same sense of dignity. Pride in their city is also seen in the Mississippi Miracles. Their famed basketball team brings packed crowds to every game and the basketball scoreboards lend an air of excitement to the town. They are also firmly entrenched in the American tradition of baseball and this is evident at every game at Greenville Municipal Stadium.

The original land area of Greenville was home to a few Native American tribes. Archeological information has linked the inhabitants to times before the well known Chickasaw and Choctaw tribes. The founder of the original town began with small hamlets in 1824, supporting the local agricultural endeavors of the community. Plantations were built and the area enjoyed a time a blooming commerce. The city was named after Nathanael Greene, the famous hero from the American Revolutionary War.

The Civil War brought Mississippi into the war in a big way and this wreaked havoc on the now growing area of Greenville. The battles held ended in the destruction of the town, to the dismay and horror of its residents. The people of the area regrouped and decided to rebuild. Their strength and tenacity has to be respected, and they chose a new location for their town at a higher location near the Mississippi River. Land was donated and the residents erected their new city of Greenville, along with churches, schools and the beginnings of an infrastructure to support their town.

There is a breathtaking beauty in the natural surroundings of Greenville and as time passed, the residents realized that many would want to visit to see their area. The lake that is an offshoot of the famed Mississippi River presented an opportunity for river boat trips that were highly coveted. It became known as the heart and soul of the Delta area and eventually became home to a varied cultural group that has had an influence through until today.

Mississippi is known for its contributions to the music and art world, most notably for the incredible jazz and blues that has changed the music scene around the world. They revitalized their historic district for visitors and added gambling boats that are seen cruising down the delta. The list of things to do in Greenville seems never ending. The city has a focus on the arts and this is exemplified in the many theatres and galleries. Dining in Greenville is an experience of culinary delights. Restaurants offer the kind of home cooking that is rarely seen anymore. The local sports teams have an avid fan following, with a huge percentage of the population turning out to see the games and watch the basketball scoreboards. The Miracles are the pride of Greenville and they support their team unconditionally. White Greenville’s baseball history has had its ups and downs, this is also a town that loves its sports.

Greenville offers riverboat rides, a tour through their beautiful parks and recreation areas, museums, art galleries, music and arts festivals, plantation tours, a look at historic Greenville and don’t forget the entire Walnut Street Entertainment District. It seems that the people of Greenville have a right to feel proud of their town; they have devoted their lives to creating a place that everyone wants to call their home. The people in Greenville will tell you that there isn’t another location in the country that is so supportive of their local sports teams. That statement is proven at almost every sports event, whether on a small field or larger stadium. Everyone has their eyes looking to the scoreboards to chee their teams on. Greenville offers the kind of style and dignity that the south is known for, with their own touch of originality. The city was built and then rebuilt with everyone working together and this common sense attitude is still contained in the Greenville of today.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenville,_Mississippi
http://www.greenville.ms.us/city_home.html

The City of Wheeling in West Virginia has one of the most striking historic skylines which is both welcoming and lends to a level of deep respect. Home to the Wheeling Convention, this modest city was the springboard to the development of West Virginia as a U.S. State. Wheeling is also home to some of the most avid sports fans around. A visitor can see the blend of historic with the new parks and recreation areas. Sporting games of all types are played, and baseball seems to be the most popular. Games are attended by the people of Wheeling, cheering their favorite team as they watch the baseball scoreboards with eager anticipation. The plans for the Wheeling Sports Complex has created controversy between sports fans and the history of their beloved town.

West Virginia has a rather flexible state capital in the 1800’s. The state capital had been changed so often that it was coined the ‘floating capital’. But it was in the city of Wheeling that the Wheeling Convention was held to ratify the statehood, with the acknowledgement of this city as its first office capital.

The origins of the actual name of Wheeling are a topic of controversy today. Thought to be a derivative of a series of local Native American words that referred to an area where a white man was both scalped and beheaded, it is still unknown if this is the true reason for the city’s name. Wheeling had many European explorers that ventured into the area including the French and British. The first claim to the area is said to have been in 1770, with a group of small families that relocated and settled in the beautiful countryside to call it home. Fort Henry was built in the area and fended off many of the Shawnee Indian attacks as well as an attempt by the British for a takeover. The settlers fought valiantly and maintained their homeland.

The introduction of the railroad to the area offered Wheeling the advantage of growth and opportunity. West Virginia and specifically Wheeling was very much against the concept of slavery and opposed the Confederate cessation of states. The post Civil War time period gave Wheeling additional industrial opportunities as the railroad brought supplies through the area. Wheeling became a stopping and exchange point for the exchange and the city continued its prosperity with tobacco and steel.

As the city grew, they continued their efforts focused attention on the incredible historic areas of the town. The refurbishment of the buildings and monuments of the area levied a higher sense of pride. The addition of the various parks and recreation areas offered both townspeople and visitors alike the change to see some of the grandeur and natural beauty of the area. The population continued to grow and soon the area had colleges and universities gracing its borders.

The people of Wheeling have always held music and the arts in high regard. They take great pride in their theatres and museums as well as the many festivals and events held in the area every year. Their love of country music can be heard in celebration at their annual jamboree as well as the radio stations of the locale.

Sports is another topic that seems to be the most popular in Wheeling. They are some of the most avid fans of hockey, football, and soccer. This adds to the enjoyment of the local greyhound races and casinos. The area is known for offering the visitor the best of down home combined with having fun. Attending a game in Wheeling is an adventure. Whether on a field or in a park, the electric excitement of the fans can be heard as well as viewed on the electronic baseball scoreboards that help to cheer their teams to the winning edge. The new Wheeling Sports Complex that is currently planned has sparked a rather large argument in the town. The construction would destroy some of the most historic areas of Wheeling, including those that are listed in the National Register for Historic Places.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheeling,_West_Virginia

Tallahassee Florida has a unique distinction of its location in the panhandle. The geography has been an advantage throughout its history, enabling it to serve as a gateway for both the State of Florida and entrance into the other states. Tallahassee’s claim to fame is not just as the State Capital, but on their focus on higher education. It is the center for colleges, universities and scholastic endeavors. This is always blended with their intense love of their sports teams. As a center for college and university life, Tallahassee has some of the fiercest sports event competitions in the country. Football is one of the top games in Tallahasse, and very game is attended by overwhelming crowds with football scoreboards lit to join the excitement.

The original lands of Tallahassee were inhabited by a few of the Native American tribes. The Muskegean and Creek (later named Seminole) traveled widely through the Tallahassee area. The city’s name is thought to be a Muskegean word that translates into old fields. This may have related to the fact that the area had already been cleared when they arrived.

As with many areas in Florida, the Spanish had great influence over the settlements. Hernando de Soto is thought to have used the Tallahassee lands for transport of supplies to some of the other Spanish settlements. It is also the first location in the United States to have celebrated Christmas.

The expansion of the Spanish throughout the mission settlements in Florida made a sudden halt during the American Revolution. As part of a gift, the celebrated hero of the war, Marquis de Lafayette, was given a part of what is now Tallahassee, thereby beginning a new chapter for the town.

Tallahassee had its dark side in history as well. It played an integral part in the slave trade of the time, but was notably one of the few cities not actually involved in a Union capture during the Civil War days. It had made considerable profit in the cotton and tobacco industries, but that was another avenue that would make a direct shift in fate. The post war era did favor Tallahassee as it began a concentrated effort on the construction of educational facilities. The new industries of the area became cattle, lumber, citrus and the attraction of people from all over the world – for the wonderful weather. This was the beginning of the tourism trade of today.

The educational endeavors branched to include the appreciation of the natural beauty of the area. Tallahassee had one of the first research areas that worked with natural preserves for the study of the effect of the fires on the ecology. World War II brought many new industries and interests into the area and while there were discussions about changing the State Capital to Orlando, it never came to fruition.

As the city grew, the main concerns for expansion centered around two topics: the legislative and the educational needs. The area is highly influenced with not only the original Spanish and French, but with a multicultural attitude that often comes hand in hand with elevated educational levels.

Today’s Tallahassee is a veritable selection of diverse cultures. These can be seen by the choices in cuisine, restaurants, festivals and celebrations. The historic areas of Tallahassee are revitalized and the community enjoys an excellence in tourism as people arrive from all over the globe to bask in the climate. The array of sports games is almost unending, as the colleges and universities contribute some of the best players in the leagues. Alumni arrive from all over the globe for the football games and if do attend, you will see lively football scoreboards and stadiums filled with raving fans.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tallahassee,_Florida

Miami, Florida is a hub of sun, fun and multicultural experiences. While it may be one of the nation’s largest banking centers, the beach is what is most known for. Over the years it has made many changes, but has also maintained the look and feel that is uniquely Miami. Few cities in the country have as many hot sports teams as Miami. They are known world wide for their famous football, basketball, baseball and hockey teams. But anyone in the U.S. knows that football is the name of the game in Miami. The stadiums and the highest tech football scoreboards give viewers a global view of the best games around.

Very few may know that the Miami, Florida area was actually first inhabited for over a thousand years by a Native American tribe called the Tesquestas. The influences of the Spanish after it was claimed as a port for Spain began the first part of the journey for this lovely area. The strange subtropical wilderness later attracted Julia Tuttle, where she designed the city known as Biscayne Bay Country. Miami is the only city in the United States ever conceived by a woman. Her influence over railroad industrialist, Henry Flagler resulted in the building of the East Coast Railway.

With the railroad came the construction of hotels and resorts. The area began to prosper as the elite of the world enjoyed the balmy Miami weather for their get-a ways and vacations. The Great Depression, combined with the Miami Hurricane in 1926 took its toll on Miami and the land and construction boom came to a halt. The close proximity to Cuba and its thriving economy brought many Cuban influences to the area. This added to the wonderful mix of cultures that were already experienced in the town. This however changed when Fidel Castro took over Cuba in 1959 and created an increase in the Cuban population seeking escape from the dictator.

As the city grew, the local government took great care to protect their natural resources. The Miami area is home to some of the most beautiful aviaries, coral reefs and wetlands in the world. The many parks and gardens that are speckled throughout are a great pride of the people of Miami and the State of Florida.

The combination of culture arts, thriving economy and beautiful weather and beaches have drawn visitors from around the world. The Cuban influence as well as the uniquely colored buildings and plazas introduce the visitor to an eclectic array of food and fun. Miami is also known for its contribution to music, bringing the Cuban flavors to influence musical styles throughout the country. Well known celebrities and artists have developed centers for the arts, theatre and music and Miami has developed into a main hub for everything cultural. More recently, the area known as South Beach has hit the charts as being one of the hottest spots for singles to visit. The night time clubs and activities attract a variety of people seeking the warm nights and moving rhythms that only Miami can offer.

When it comes to the topic of sports, the Miami teams have an intense following of their fans. Their devotion has led to some of the most quality, high tech stadiums in the country that support teams of absolute excellence. The people of Miami love their football team with an absolute fervor. For many years, the football scoreboards were a focus for the competitive games that led their team to victory. But Miami has kept pace with every sport, with teams that rival most in the country for every venue.

A visit to the Miami area will leave you with an almost otherworldly feeling. There isn’t anywhere else like it – and their people know and love it.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami

Baton Rouge Louisiana conjures images of an elegant southern city with some of the most unique architecture in the country. College sports is a major influence in the city, with their famous Tiger Stadium football games, and the over the top fans for baseball games, the baseball scoreboards are usually alight with color and the fans are incredibly supportive of their teams. While it is the capitol of Louisiana, it has an incredible mixed cultural background and a truly odd reason for the origin of its name.

The area of the country that we know as Baton Rouge was actually inhabited as far back as 8,000 B.C. with a hunter gatherer tribe. Its location was discovered in 1699 by a French Explorer, when he came across a series of poles planted in the ground and strung with bloody animals. These were the markers for the territories of the local tribes. He coined the name ‘baton rouge’, which means red batons or poles.

By around 1719, a military post was set up by the French at Baton Rouge and due to its location; it became a port for transportation of supplies. Over the years, the settlement has been governed and claimed by the Spanish, French, English, the even the Republic of Florida and the Confederate States. When some of the maritime residents of Canada were exiled they traveled and eventually settled in Baton Rouge. They were called ‘cajuns’ and brought their unique culture that has continued to influence the State of Louisiana today.

It wasn’t until 1817 that Baton Rouge was announced as the state capitol. It was common for architects to design a capitol building that emulated Washington, D.C… Maintaining their difference, it was decided to build a state capitol building in Baton Rouge that incorporated a medieval, neo-gothic style that included all of the accoutrements: stained glass, crenellations and even turrets. This set the area of Baton Rouge apart from any other state at that time.

The Civil War caused the Union Troops to occupy Baton Rouge and it wasn’t until 1882 that everything settled down and the city was returned as the state capitol. The growth of the area was slow. By the 1950-1960’s the petrochemical industry established corporate offices and investments in the area, which created a population explosion of jobs and growth. Architecture of the latest design was set next to historical buildings and monuments. While the area continued to expand with rapid progress, it experienced an unprecedented explosion with an influx of people escaping the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

The people of Baton Rouge take incredible pride in their diverse history and culture. The expansion of the area always included relating the story of their history. Museums and centers for the arts and theatre are sprinkled throughout the city. Visitors can take a tour through Spanish Town, which reflects another aspect of the city’s past. They celebrate their rich history with many complimentary Mardi Gras parades. The neo-gothic building style is style represented and many of the old southern plantations are in wonderful condition to view a slice of history.

Education is paramount in the state, with many schools of excellence in both standard levels as well as university level. College sports are a major focus in the Baton Rouge area. Baseball, football, rugby and soccer games are attended with record breaking crowds. College football is specifically popular and it’s not uncommon to see the entire town decked out in the team colors. The baseball scoreboards are always lit and also flagged with the colors of the game.

A visitor to Baton Rouge will have the opportunity to experience the true sense of the state of Louisiana; complete with wonderful cuisine, cultural views and lifestyles. Louisiana is a place like no other and Baton Rouge represents some of the best of the state.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baton_Rouge,_Louisiana

The Dundalk Maryland area has its roots in the foundry industry and the history is a topic that the local residents carry with pride. Some of the nation’s best sports players have called Dundalk their home and the area loves and supports baseball and basketball as their key games. The community is now one of the first neighborhoods outside of Baltimore but the city’s name is all Ireland.

The original inhabitants of what is now Dundalk were the Susquehannock Native American tribe. According to the historic records, the area was actually discovered by John Smith but wasn’t established until a few years later when Thomas Todd actually purchased acreage and built a home. While the original home was lost in the War of 1812, it was rebuilt and remains in Dundalk today as part of their history.

It was an Irish immigrant by the name of Henry McShane that actually gave the area its name. McShane built a foundry for the production of iron and bronze bells that soon grew to iron furnace fittings and pipe products. The railroad that came through the area and became the main bloodline for the transport of the products. McShane was requested to give a railroad depot name and he chose Dundalk, the town of his birth in Ireland.

By the early 1900’s, the Bethlehem Steel Co. needed acreage to house the many workers for the shipyard and purchased around one thousand acres. Thus began the process of one of the country’s first well planned cities. The design was set up to compliment their close proximity to the Baltimore area, with focus on leaving areas for future recreational facilities and expansion. It was important to the planners to have a city that was friendly to the pedestrians for ease of navigation. Streets and walkways were lined up and the stores and downtown areas were easy to get to by foot. There was a focus on giving street names a decidedly maritime motif, which are still in use today.

Dundalk soon became one of the most coveted areas to live in, offering the incredible history with the location of Baltimore just minutes away. The residents of the area take pride in their town and this can be seen when one visits. Their Heritage Fair is held every year, along with numerous other fun events. They play host to some of the nation’s best performers for the fairs and in the spring and summer the music fills the air as people enjoy local cuisine and a walk around the town. Dundalk offers an especially excellent fireworks show for the 4th of July and you better get there early if you want to see it all. Sports is a hot topic in Dundalk, with more supporters of the local teams than one might find in other towns. Everyone attends the games, watching the scoreboards eagerly for their team’s next point score. The Dundalk Sports and Recreation area holds some of the top swimming competitions and coordinates many of the various sports games.

While some consider Dundalk at suburb of Baltimore, the people of Dundalk think of themselves as a unique entity. The encourage tourists and visitors to stop by and take a tour of their Heritage Park, stop in at one of the local restaurants and stay awhile to just chat with the locals. Visitors are encouraged to go to any of their team games as they are so proud of their athletes, teams and scoreboards. When you arrive at Dundalk, you feel like you are at home and I think that’s why McShane gave it the name.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dundalk,_Maryland
http://davidrcrews2.blogspot.com/

Baltimore is a city that has its roots from the beginning of our country’s development. The unique port location gave Baltimore the advantages of being the largest port near the sea in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. While this may have spring boarded the port city into a thriving community, it also brought a multilayer of culture which has contributed to the metropolitan city of today. Baltimore loves their sports and have proudly been the home of many playoffs and winning teams. Baseball scoreboards are the hot topic, but the stadiums for football and soccer have also become more popular venues for the fans.

Baltimore was originally named after an Irish dignitary, Lord Baltimore, who was a founding father of the area. The inhabitants were English and Irish and many of the areas names became a combination of Irish Gaelic. As a port, the first growth was due to Baltimore’s ability to thrive as a granary for the growing sugar cane market. During the War of 1812, the Battle of Baltimore brought famed lawyer Francis Scott Key to the area, where he penned the Star Spangle Banner, destined to become the national anthem of the U.S…

Pride of city created an environment where residents erected monuments dedicated to their history. Baltimore became known as The Monumental City and brought visitors from across the country to see their unique skyscape, churches and marvel at the history that was preserved.

While Baltimore was not part of the Confederate sympathizers, they experienced problematic riots during a Union march in the city. When the railroad offered increased prosperity, it soon took a turn during the 1873 Depression and during the 1877 workers strike when they were threatened with the lowering of their wages. It wasn’t until the 1907 fire that leveled seventy of the downtown area blocks, that Baltimore faced its most daunting survival.

The harbor was and still is today, the saving grace of Baltimore. Rebuilding and construction of this port city was slow at first, but the community eventually returned. Many of the areas, however, were not revitalized and it wasn’t until the 1970’s that focus turned to reclaiming some of the history of Baltimore through a renaissance effort. By the 1990’s, Baltimore could proudly proclaim over two hundred eighty locations as part of the National Register of Historic Places.

As the city grew, so did their interest in the arts and culture. Theatre, drama and schools for the arts blossomed as Baltimore became a metropolitan arts center. Notable universities and colleges, renowned around the world are located in Baltimore and the growth of both private and public schools has given Baltimore an elevation of status for higher learning institutions.

One thing that people notice when they visit Baltimore is that you can tell the local residents from the tourists by their unique dialect. Their tendency to drop the ‘t’s’ in their words have often been called “Baltimorese”. A speculation for their dialect is that Baltimore had its history in the working class, which carried through their history. Another way that you can differentiate the locals is their intensity and passion for their sports. Their teams are a priority in their world and include: baseball, football, soccer and thoroughbred racing. The people of Baltimore have invested in the fields and stadiums for their teams, and the teams have earned it. Many of the best games have ended in victory with the scores on the baseball scoreboards enciting fans to an enthusiasm that can only be described as electric. The football games with the Colts are many that have been the best in the history of the games. Baltomore is host to quite a few team players that have been added to the various sports halls of fame.

Today, a visitor to Baltimore can enjoy the incredibly lovely port area, filled with restaurants of all flavors and cultures. Their history fills the air and the people take great pride in the city that they have built.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore

The years following the Civil War forced the plantations into smaller and smaller subdivisions, which opened up the doors to development. The history of this area runs deep and there is a unique blend of old world and modern in North Charleston. North Charleston is home to some of the most avid hockey fans in the U.S. At any time, at any game for the Sintgrays, the North Charleston Coliseum is packed with cheering followers and all eyes are on the hockey scoreboards for the winning points scored.

The area now known as North Charleston was originally some of the most beautiful plantations in the south.
It wasn’t until the twentieth century that major change hit the North Charleston area. Both businesspeople and the United States Government saw this as an opportunity for industrial growth. While the people of the area fought these changes, they were eventually defeated. Progress brought lumber, military bases and the largest mill for asbestos at that time. The Charleston Naval Base was a key employer of the area and continued so until the end of the cold war. With budget cut backs, both the naval base and the shipyards were closed, causing a reeling economic effect on the North Charleston area.

The expansion of the North Charleston lands eventually included some of the nation’s first big box chain shopping malls. This growth added to the already expanding medical and educational needs of the area but offered an alternative for economic survival. Some of the naval base properties were purchased for parks and private businesses, including the Riverfront Park.

The salvation of the area occurred with the addition of the Boeing Aircraft manufacturing facility. North Charleston became one of four of the only locations in the world to make the aircraft and this kicked off an explosion of progressive change for the area. Expansion included refurbishing of the historic areas while adding four star hotels and restaurants. The addition of the convention center as well as center for the arts has skyrocketed North Charleston to one of the top cities of South Carolina. Universities and colleges were added to the educational system that had continued its focus on upgrades for the standard school systems. As the educational level increased, so did the game of hockey. The Coliseum Stadium is home to some of the most high tech electronic hockey scoreboards and presentations in all of South Carolina.

In what is seen as a very short span of time, North Charleston became a highlighted name on the map of the United States and drew attention as the place-to-be by many. The U.S. Government established a center for mail order prescriptions as part of their Veterans program, with the center in North Charleston. The addition of county and state parks were enhanced with a multitude of day parks, water parks, fishing and boating areas as well as beach parks.

Today, the natural beauty of the North Charleston area is enjoyed by everyone that visits and those that live there. The community takes pride in the historic district and yet is a center for almost everything that is technologically updated. When you travel to this area, it is difficult to believe that it has ever been anything but well-planned. The southern grace and charm is continually expressed by the people that live there and freely shared with their visitors. The steps of progress have done well by North Charleston and it doesn’t look like there is any intention of changing that direction.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Charleston,_South_Carolina

New Orleans may be the center of the Mardis Gras, but anyone that visits the city soon learns of the rich and harshly fought history of the people that live there. A multicultural soup of varying people and lifestyles in the heart of the south, and a city unlike anything else in the country. The staunch strength of the residents is displayed in the resounding pride of their town, because it you originate in New Orleans, you will never call anywhere else as your home. New Orleans is also host to some of the best sports teams in history. Super Bowl Football scoreboards have been lit with the intensity of games that have gone down in the halls of fame. Basketball and Roller Derby games are also nearly sold out, because New Orleans loves their sports.

New Orleans was originally named after a regent of France called the Duke of Orleans. A large population of French influenced the building style and architecture of the area. It continued its growth with an influx of other Europeans, including the Irish and Germans. During the antebellum era, the logistics of its port offered the ability to become the center for the slave trade. A large population of Haitians was eventually brought to New Orleans.

The blend of cultures gave New Orleans it’s unique language and religions. French is a common language and the Haitian influence, combined with the European has created an environment that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The post war era brought enormous changes to the area, but not all were a positive for the community. Growth was slow, work was hard to find. It wasn’t until the late 19th and early 20th century that New Orleans found its place as a center for the railroad and became known as one of the cities included in the famous Sun Belt name.

Most notably, New Orleans is known as the home of jazz. If you have ever visited New Orleans you know that this is a place that loves their music. Jazz is at the heart and soul of New Orleans and one cannot help but be caught up in the dizzying excitement. The only thing that equals their music is the excellence and diversity of food. The many cultures that have influenced New Orleans have also given the area the best of cuisine.

The hardest times for New Orleans have been the striking of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the area. New Orleans paid a heavy price for the lack of well planned and invested protection. The population of the area could not survive with so much devastation and flooding. The people, often in the lower economic brackets, also did not have the insurance to help rebuild. It has taken a long time, but thanks to the resilience of its people and the aid from around the country and world, New Orleans is slowly coming back. People that call it home cannot stay away. Its residents find the call to return too strong and are helping to rebuild their beloved city.

The sound of jazz is continuing to stream from windows and clubs and the people of New Orleans struggle every day to bring their city back. New Orleans demonstrates the strength of an area, and also the strength of our country. Throughout everything, the people of New Orleans have returned to their city to revive it and bring it back to life. Nothing says this more than the stadiums and fields that are now filled with enthusiastic sports fans. Football scoreboards are once again lit, basketball and roller derby teams are playing like never before.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans