Birthplace of Delta Air Lines: That’s right - Delta Airlines took flight right here in Monroe! It all started in 1925 as a crop-dusting operation before soaring into the major airline we know today. Want to learn more? Stop by the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum!

First Bottler of Coca-Cola: Joseph Biedenharn was the first person to bottle Coca-Cola, and he called Monroe home! Today, you can visit the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens, check out the original bottling process, and grab an old-school glass bottle Coke for just a nickel. Yes, really!

Home of Duck Commander: We’re happy, happy, happy that the Robertson family of A&E’s Duck Dynasty is from Monroe-West Monroe. Tour the Duck Commander warehouse, snap a pic in front of the iconic building, and even try your hand at making a duck call!

Tim McGraw Went to School Here: We like it, we love it, and we want you to know - country music star Tim McGraw attended the University of Louisiana Monroe! (Okay, it was still called Northeast Louisiana University back then, but same campus!)

Ski Champs, Anyone? You might know Louisiana for football, but we’re making waves in a different sport. ULM is home to the 29-time National Champion Water Ski Team! Bonus fun fact: Bayou DeSiard flows right through campus - talk about a scenic college view.

NFL Roots Run Deep: Down, set, hike! A few gridiron greats got their start right here in Ouachita Parish, including Will Campbell and Andrew Whitworth. Football talent? Yeah, we’ve got that.

World Record Breaking: We’re always up for a little friendly competition and apparently, so is Joshua Walker, who set the Guinness World Record for the farthest basketball shot ever made backwards. The 86-foot shot was made right here at ULM’s Fant-Ewing Coliseum!

Education Excellence: Looking to learn? Monroe is home to the only public pharmacy school in Louisiana and the state’s only Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program. Talk about smart!

Ready to learn even more cool stuff about Monroe-West Monroe? We’ve got stories, surprises, and plenty of photo ops waiting for you. Come see why we’re the heart of Northeast Louisiana and proud of it!

Know of another fun fact? Let us know!