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T. E. Smith-Lamothe's Snapshots

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  1. entry doors

    entry doors by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Old State Capitol, Baton Rouge, Louisiana by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    In keeping with the castle imagery, the huge entrance doors are embossed to resemble a medieval portcullis, and, naturally, reclining lines flank the top of the staris leading to the doors.

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  2. stained glass

    stained glass by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Old State Capitol, Baton Rouge, Louisiana by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    The setting sun reflects off the coloured stained glass --- a rare event when the normally black-looking glazing can glow with the colours best seen from within (or outside at night). The colours do not form a pattern, but are nonetheless delightful and joyous.

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  3. mourning figures

    mourning figures by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan State Capitol, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    The statue group on the left represents a fallen soldier's funeral, complete with casket-box. Soldiers of various eras of Louisiana's history (Spanish and French in front) guard the coffin while a mourning mother weeps above. The statue group on the east side (not seen in this photo) represents the pioneering spirit of the early European settlers.

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  4. entryway

    entryway by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan State Capitol, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    The 50 foot tall entry frame was necessary to make the portal proportionate to the tall building above. It is surrounded by Egyptian-like bas-relief sculptures of agricultural and industrial activities. The treasures of King Tut toured the USA shortly before this building was designed and Egyptian motifs influenced many Art-Deco buildings of that epoch.

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  5. southwest angel

    southwest angel by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan State Capitol, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    Four giant angels guard the corners of the capitol just below the observation deck on the 34th floor.

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  6. Lantern at the top

    Lantern at the top by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan State Capitol, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    Like a gorgantuan lighthouse, the glass rotunda at the very top is lit at night and can be seen for miles from the surrounding very flat delta land.

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  7. tankers

    tankers by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Looking North from the observation deck, Louisiana State Capitol, Baton Rouge, Louisiana by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    Baton Rouge is perhaps the last port where ocean-going tankers can safely reach any time of year on the Mississippi River.

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  8. barges

    barges by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Looking North from the observation deck, Louisiana State Capitol, Baton Rouge, Louisiana by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    barges are the workhorses of the Mississippi River, pushed by stout, powerful tugs. The barges flat bottoms, like the hull of the historical paddlewheelers, means even shallow water can be navigated. The sandbars in the river have a tendency to move with the Springtime surge from melting snow up north, so the River can still surprise pilots, even with electronic sounding gear on board.

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  9. paddlewheeler

    paddlewheeler by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Looking North from the observation deck, Louisiana State Capitol, Baton Rouge, Louisiana by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    Paddle wheel steamboats were once ubiquitous on the Mississppi River because their flat bottoms enabled them to cruise over shallow water over hidden sandbars. A weight and line were thrown over periodically to plumb the depth of the river and a mark on the line indicated two fathoms, and the resultant cry of "Mark Twain!" was adopted by Samuel Clemens as his pen-name.

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  10. older Mississippi Bridge

    older Mississippi Bridge by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Looking North from the observation deck, Louisiana State Capitol, Baton Rouge, Louisiana by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    This is the older of the two bridges spanning the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge. This one is along Airline Highway, so called because of its relatively straight route to New Orleans to the east and Lafayette to the west. The other bridge, shown in the south facing panorama from the observation deck (www.gigapan.com/gigapans/123597) is the Interstate I-10 bridge.

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  11. Our Lady of the Lake Hospital

    Our Lady of the Lake Hospital by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Looking North from the observation deck, Louisiana State Capitol, Baton Rouge, Louisiana by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    A major hospital complex serving not just the Catholic community in Baton Rouge.

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  12. new Governor's Mansion

    new Governor's Mansion by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Looking North from the observation deck, Louisiana State Capitol, Baton Rouge, Louisiana by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    Both the new and old Governor's Mansion are designed as stately new-classical antebellum plantation homes with white columns and galleries (porches) at both upper and ground levels.

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  13. beads

    beads by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Mardi Gras balcony in the French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    fifty years ago, the riders on parade floats threw stings of glass beads. If one didn't catch them in air, they would shatter on the pavement. Now the beads are plastic and manufactured in China --- the streets are littered with necklaces after a parade and the trees, power lines, and fences are strewn with uncaught beads. People collect the beads and decorate their balconies during the season with last year's loot.

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  14. Mardi Gras colors

    Mardi Gras colors by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Mardi Gras balcony in the French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    purple, gold and green are the Mardi Gras colors and are seen everywhere in the city during the season of festivities. The Louisiana State University sports teams play in purple and gold --- even though those are not the formal colors of the University. Legend has it that a fan in Baton Rouge drove to New Orleans for bunting and ribbons for a game and all there was for sale was purple, gold and green. So the fan bought purple and gold and the rest is, as they say, history.

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  15. Mardi Gras

    Mardi Gras by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Mardi Gras balcony in the French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    The ancient French folk tradition of "mumming" is probably a progenitor of New Orleans' Mardi Gras. Opulent balls are held with elaborate costumes and, of course, masks during the Mardi Gras season.

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  16. super bowl

    super bowl by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Mardi Gras balcony in the French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    The Super Bowl was in New Orleans the week before the panorama was taken. The Baltimore Ravens won over the 49ers.

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  17. airboat adventures

    airboat adventures by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Mardi Gras balcony in the French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    no one is wearing ear protection --- could be this photo is posed?

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  18. Native American

    Native American by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Louisiana State Capitol frieze by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    The only male "Spirit" among the central group, this Native American warrior bears a tobacco stalk as a traditional symbol of peace.

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  19. French influence

    French influence by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Louisiana State Capitol frieze by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    Louisiana was claimed by the French (named after King Louis XIV) in 1799 and the first settlers were largely transplanted French Canadians, arriving from frigid Quebec in their thick woolen clothes to this hot-humid colony. Two aristocratic brothers, Bienville and Iberville, were instrumental in making progress in the early days.

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  20. Southern Belle

    Southern Belle by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Louisiana State Capitol frieze by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    At the center of the "Spirits" over the entry portico of the capitol is a Confederate sypathizer, caring flowers for the grave of the "Lost Cause". It must be remembered that the Civil War ended in 1865 and this Capitol was built a scant 70 years later with veterans on both sides still alive.

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  21. Native American

    Native American by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Louisiana State Capitol frieze by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    A bare-chested female figure carrying a decorated pot frames the west end of the central group of "spirits" which influenced Louisiana culture.

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  22. Spain

    Spain by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Louisiana State Capitol frieze by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    The spirit of Spain is exemplified b a crowned figure holding a model of the Cabildo, the Spanish capitol in New Orleans on the north side of Jackson Square. A galleon rests on top of the building.

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  23. Liberty

    Liberty by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Louisiana State Capitol frieze by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    Liberty, much like the statue in New York City harbor, has rays of light emanating from her head. She carries an olive branch in one hand and cluster of arrows in the other.

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  24. Art-Deco Eagle

    Art-Deco Eagle by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Louisiana State Capitol frieze by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    The building was begun in the mid 1930's during the Great Depression. It was also the height of the Art-Deco style of building with its almost geometric decoration ---- the Chrysler Building in New York City is another well-known example. So no attempt has been made to portray a naturalistic eagle here. At around the same time, the amazing artifacts of the recently-unearthed tomb of King Tut were touring the USA, so ancient Egyptian stylings and motifs were incorporated into the building's decorations. Even the shape of the building recalls an Egyptian obelisk, some say.

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  25. Iberville or Bienville?

    Iberville or Bienville? by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Louisiana State Capitol frieze by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    Louisiana was claimed by France in 1699 and European settlers were led by two French-Canadian brothers, Iberville and Bienville who made peace with the Native population and established New Orleans at a portage link between the Mississippi River and the large Lake Ponchatrain. This bas-relief figure is likely an image of one of these founding brothers.

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  26. Civil War memorabilia

    Civil War memorabilia by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Louisiana State Capitol frieze by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    The battle flag of the Confederate States has a rather central position above the entry portico to the Capitol. The formal flag of the rebellion, the "Stars and Bars" was too easy to mistake for the Union's "Stars and Stripes" in the thick of battle, so the criss-cross battle flag was developed to avoid the confusion.

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  27. Missionaries

    Missionaries by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Louisiana State Capitol frieze by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    As a French colony, many Jesuits from French Canada made their way to Louisiana to preach among the Native Americans and motley pioneers who sought fortune in the Louisiana territory --- which extended from the mouth of the Mississippi to its source and along the length of the Missouri River, too.

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  28. Territorial disputes

    Territorial disputes by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Louisiana State Capitol frieze by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    As the Europeans encroached more and more on Native American lands, hostilities were inevitable.

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  29. French soldiers?

    French soldiers? by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Louisiana State Capitol frieze by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    Napoleon Bonaparte, eager to replenish his war chests for more adventures in Europe, sold the colony of Louisiana to the USA through the negotiations with Jefferson's Congress in 1810. A Ceremony was held in the plaza in New Orleans now known as Jackson Square with French and US troops saluting as the French Tri-colour was replaced by the Stars and Stripes.

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  30. Andrew Jackson

    Andrew Jackson by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Louisiana State Capitol frieze by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    In 1815, Andrew Jackson and his force of infantry regulars, local militia and bayou pirate Jean Lafitte stopped an invading British army at the Battle of New Orleans. Jackson is depicted here on horseback, rallying the troops.

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  31. anchored barges

    anchored barges by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Baton Rouge looking south from state capitol observation deck by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    River barges are ganged together and anchored while awaiting tugs to push them up or down the Mississippi River.

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  32. Interstate junction

    Interstate junction by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Baton Rouge looking south from state capitol observation deck by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    I-10 from New Orleans splits at this point into I-110 which serves northern Baton Rouge and I-10 continues to the right to cross the bridge and head west to Lafayette, Lake Charles, and Houston.

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  33. University Campus

    University Campus by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Baton Rouge looking south from state capitol observation deck by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    The Louisiana State University (LSU) campus at Baton Rouge has maintained a consistent architectural them of honey-brown brick buildings with red tile roofs, many of which are seen here. The domed building is the oval-shaped Coliseum where agricultural exhibitions and rodeos are held.

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  34. Tiger Stadium

    Tiger Stadium by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Baton Rouge looking south from state capitol observation deck by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    The football stadium at Louisiana State University (LSU) is known as "Death Valley" because, statistically, the LSU Tigers do well at home games. Having close to 90,000 vociferous fans cheering doesn't hurt! The dome in front of the stadium is known as "Maravitch's Dome" because it was built during the tenure of basketball Coach Maravitch and his son, "Pistol Pete",

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  35. Old State Capitol

    Old State Capitol by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Baton Rouge looking south from state capitol observation deck by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    Like some fairy castle, the semi-gothic Old State Capitol building (built in 1849) is set proudly on one of the highest bluffs in Baton Rouge. This was the location of the tall red "stick" (Baton Rouge in French) which the first French explorers found --- actually a boundary marker between neighboring native tribes. A replica red stick marks the spot. Mark Twain, in his riverboat travels, commented unfavorably about the gothic castle on the Mississippi. I was burned by victorious Union soldiers when Baton Rouge was taken in the Civil War, but re-built soon after the War.

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  36. USS Kidd

    USS Kidd by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Baton Rouge looking south from state capitol observation deck by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    The USS Kidd, a de-commissioned naval destroyer, is docked at the Mississippi River as a permanent floating museum.

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  37. riverboat casino

    riverboat casino by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Baton Rouge looking south from state capitol observation deck by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    A draw for would-be riverboat gamblers, the Belle Rouge casino floats on. and occasionally plies, the Mississippi, albeit with a fake paddlewheel.

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  38. asian version of gargoyle?

    asian version of gargoyle? by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Byodo-in Temple, Uji, Japan by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    just as European medieval cathedrals used horrific gargoyles to ward off evil, the temple's roof features guardian dogs, dragons and phoenix figures to insure safety from "the dark side".

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  39. carpenter's handiwork

    carpenter's handiwork by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Byodo-in Temple, Uji, Japan by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    eleaborate corbeling of the woodwork at the corners enables the roof to canti-lever out from the walls below --- all without the use of nails, just using fine and precise joinery.

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  40. curved red bridge

    curved red bridge by T. E. Smith-Lamothe from the GigaPan Byodo-in Temple, Uji, Japan by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

    One of two red bridges which cross the reflecting pond to give access to the shrine building.

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