Baton Rouge, if you’ve never been, is a unique place—too big for this blog. I was lucky enough to be raised a child of the swamp. But I can only introduce you to the phenomenon slowly. A good place to start is with the hand painted signs that live there. Some of the fascination stems from the DIY nature of these productions. Other mysteries will surely arise when you imagine just what sort of entertainment “adults” enjoy. Or why does “Jazzy” imply a lack of class as the owners of “Jazzy but Classy” simultaneously point out and challenge? Trends include loitering, food stamps, crabs, etc.

I’ve collected some images from this website (by Veni Harlan) to spare you the bad layout and unfiltered quality control. From depths unfathomable, I bring you hand painted swamp jewels:

It’s Either drinking OR loitering, people!

Thanks to DG superfriend “Poofy” for the reminder