In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the young United States. Americans could settle from the Mississippi to the Rockies, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian Border. In the two centuries since, we settled on the vast territitory, paved it, cultivated it, mined it, grazed it, timbered it.
Untold hardships were endured, legends created and vast fortunes made.
And what have we produced in this middle third of the nation?
Here is the first in a series of articles reporting, state by state, what the Louisiana Purchase represents now. Our authors know the land, feel its unique aspects.
May 30, 2004
The Purchase's places to see
By Times Staff Writer
Throughout the Louisiana Purchase series, the writers have been asked to name must-see places in their states. Here are their responses.
May 30, 2004
Iowa: Where dreams can take root
By MICHAEL GARTNER
The seeds of freedom and equality (not to mention quirkiness) were planted even before the territory gained statehood.
May 23, 2004
A river runs through it
By JAMES DENNEY
In Nebraska, a state whose history intertwines with the Platte River, a 3-year-old drought has affected almost every resident.
May 9, 2004
North Dakota: Where the accent is on friendship
By ROBIN McMACKEN
The miles separate, yet draw together, the hardy folk who make their home in the badlands and the vast prairies, where a stranger is just a friend you haven't yet met.
May 2, 2004
Arkansas, a bargain becomes a bounty
By MEL WHITE
Several years ago, I was riding a train in France and happened to start a conversation with the couple in the seat across from me.
April 18, 2004
The gumbo that is Louisiana
By GAY N. MARTIN
From the agrarian north to its Cajun south and beguiling New Orleans, the state offers a mix of cultures, geographies and culinary delights.
April 11, 2004
Wyoming: Where the vast and the past come alive
By CANDY MOULTON
Mountain men blazed trails through this rugged territory. Today, the beauty remains but getting there is a lot easier.
March 28, 2004
South Dakota wanderlust
By BOB MERCER
The best way to understand this complex state is to drive its back roads through its regions of diverse people and geography. And do it with the radio on.
March 7, 2004
A more diverse state? Show Me
By DAWNE MASSEY
I've always felt that state lines should be redrawn to reflect where the state changes from one terrain or landscape to the next. That is, states should begin and end where their similarities begin or end, rather than at some arbitrary point drawn years ago when the federal government was busy divvying up the land.
February 15, 2004
Water world
By CATHERINE WATSON
Minnesota is all about creeks, ponds, rivers and lakes - and lots of them.
February 1, 2004
It's a Texas thing
By SPIKE GILLESPIE
There's no shortage of superlatives to describe the state, to hear a Texan talk. They may not be exaggerating.
January 11, 2004
Southwestern spice
By RICHARD HARRIS
New Mexico serves up an enchanting concoction of cultural diversity, stunning scenery and memorable cuisine.
December 21, 2003
Oklahoma is, or will be, OK
By JIM MARION ETTER
The Sooner State is emerging from its grim and troubled past.
December 21, 2003
Lewis and Clark: The St. Louis connection
By CHERYL WITTENAUER, Associated Press
The gateway city celebrates the bicentennial of the expedition that led our westward expansion.
December 14, 2003
Splendor in the grass
By THOMAS FOX AVERILL
Kansas shines in the history of America, playing a central role both geographically and politically.
December 14, 2003
Did you know this about Kansas?
By THOMAS FOX AVERILL
Kansas trivia
November 16, 2003
Mountains' majesty defines Colorado
By DAN LEETH
In the late 1800s, the state attracted prospectors in search of gold and silver. Today its riches are its summits.
October 19, 2003
8,200 miles into the past
By JUDITH WARREN
What better way to observe the bicentennial of Lewis and Clark's magnificent journey than by retracing their route?
October 19, 2003
America 200 years after the Louisiana Purchase
By Times Staff Writer
In April 1803, French and U.S. diplomats negotiated what became known as the Louisiana Purchase, doubling the size of our young nation.
October 19, 2003
Montana
By KATE CRAWFORD
To know Big Sky country on a first-name basis,
bypass the tourist meccas.
October 19, 2003
Did you know this about Montana?
By KATE CRAWFORD
Editor's Note: In our series about the states formed from the Louisiana Purchase land, each writer will answer the same questions you'll find here.
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Montana and the
Lewis and Clark
expedition
Arkansas
Colorado
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oklahoma
South Dakota
Texas
Wyoming
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