Louisiana Has a Place Called Transylvania, and It’s Not What You Think

TRANSYLVANIA, La. - When you're born and raised in Louisiana, you eventually get used to some pretty interesting town names.

We've got Coochie. We've got Kikapoo. We've got places like Belcher, Waggaman, Shongaloo and plenty of other names that can make you stop and say, "Wait...that's actually a town?"

But there's one Louisiana place name that might be even more interesting.

Transylvania, Louisiana.

Yep. You read that right.

There is a real place called Transylvania in Louisiana.

And considering that most of us hear the word "Transylvania" and immediately think of vampires, Dracula and some creepy castle somewhere in Romania, I couldn't help but wonder what the Louisiana version was all about.

As it turns out, there's a pretty interesting story behind it.

Where Is Transylvania, Louisiana?

Transylvania is an unincorporated community in East Carroll Parish in northeastern Louisiana.

It's located along U.S. Highway 65, north of Tallulah, and not far from the Mississippi River. Louisiana's official state website lists Transylvania among the communities of East Carroll Parish.

If you're driving through this part of Louisiana and aren't expecting it, seeing a sign that says Transylvania can definitely make you do a double take.

Transylvania, Louisiana Elementary

Why Is This Louisiana Community Called Transylvania?

The name reportedly goes back to Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky.

A local landowner named Dr. W.L. Richards had attended the university and eventually purchased a large amount of land in what became the Transylvania community.

He apparently liked his alma mater enough to give his Louisiana settlement the same name.

So, basically, Louisiana's Transylvania got its name from a college.

Then The Dracula Connection Happened

Once the name became associated with Dracula and horror movies, Transylvania, Louisiana, started playing along. The community became known for embracing the spooky connection, including vampire and bat-themed decorations and merchandise.

At one point, the local general store became something of a roadside curiosity, with Dracula-themed souvenirs and other items playing off the town's unusual name. The community's water tower even has a large bat on it.

Transylvania, Louisiana

The post office of Transylvania also became a hot spot, mainly around Halloween.

People from all over would drive to the small community with letters so there outgoing mail could be stamped with the Transylvania, Louisiana postmark

Postal Clerk Mallory Payne tells theadvocate.com -

"We still get people who come in wanting the Transylvania postmark, but our postmark is just a regular postmark now.

It doesn't have a bat. It's just a quick hand stamp. It's just an itty bitty town, and there's really nothing to stop here for."

So the next time somebody tells you that Louisiana has some of the strangest town names in America, you can remind them about Transylvania, Louisiana.

And if you're ever driving through East Carroll Parish and see that sign or the water tower, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you...you're in Transylvania.