Louisiana
"The Pelican State" became the 18th state on April 30, 1812. One of the 11 Confederate States, Louisiana seceded from the Union on January 26, 1861and was readmitted on July 9, 1868.
An important development in Louisiana was the chemical industry based on a combination of oil, sulfur, salt, water. The investment boom happened from 1947 to 1957, when the first big move to off-shore petroleum was made. Louisiana also produces gypsum, sand and gravel, salt, sulfur, and crushed stone.