Downtown in Baton Rouge in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

The Amédé Ardoin Lemon Tree

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, March 2, 2024

1. The Amédé Ardoin Lemon Tree Marker

Inscription.
Planted In Loving Memory Of
Influential Louisiana Creole Singer, Songwriter and Accordionist
Amédé Ardoin
March 11, 1898-November 3, 1942
Born near Basile in Evangeline Parish

Amédé Ardoin created the framework for Cajun, Creole and Zydeco music's evolution in the early 1900's. With his signature high voice, accordion and talent, Ardoin composed dance tunes and mournful ballads many considered Zydeco standards, establishing roots of this unique musical and cultural identity now recognized worldwide. He is one of the first Creole artists to record his music with national recording companies. To soothe his vocal chords, Ardoin always carried a lemon. His musical genius continues to influence and inspire generations of musicians across genres. In honor of Amédé Ardoin's legacy a steele statue of him standing on an accordion, holding a lemon, was erected at the St. Landry Parish Welcome Center on March 11, 2018.
Dedicated by Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser on March 12, 2020

Erected 2020.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment

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Location. 30° 27.288′ N, 91° 11.341′ W. Marker is in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in East Baton Rouge Parish. It is in Downtown. It is on North 3rd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 800 N 3rd St, Baton Rouge LA 70802, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Louisiana’s Florida Parishes.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pentagon Barracks (within shouting distance of this marker); Sigma Iota (within shouting distance of this marker); Bogalusa to Baton Rouge March (within shouting distance of this marker);

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, March 2, 2024

2. The Amédé Ardoin Lemon Tree Marker

Fort San Carlos (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fort San Carlos (within shouting distance of this marker); Zachary Taylor (within shouting distance of this marker); Pentagon Buildings (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mississippi River (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baton Rouge.

More about this marker. Located in the A.Z. Young park.

Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia entry for Amédé Ardoin. (Submitted on March 2, 2024, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.)
2. Amédé Ardoin - Les Blues de Voyage (YouTube, 2:53). (Submitted on March 2, 2024.)

The Amédé Ardoin Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, December 21, 2018

3. The Amédé Ardoin Statue

Statue of Amédé Ardoin at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center, as mentioned in the text of marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2024, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 446 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 2, 2024, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.