Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana.
A Mississippi River city located far enough inland to avoid dangerous coastal storms.
What makes the capitol special
The Louisiana State Capitol was finished in 1932. Standing 450 feet tall with 34 floors, it is the tallest state capitol building in the U.S. The building uses an Art Deco design and is covered in limestone. It features sculptures and carvings that show the state’s history. An observation deck on the 27th floor gives visitors a wide view of Baton Rouge and the Mississippi River.
Three places to visit
- USS Kidd Veterans Museum – Explore a World War II destroyer ship nicknamed the “Pirate of the Pacific,” which is docked right on the Mississippi River.
- LSU Campus (Mike the Tiger Habitat & Rural Life Museum) – Visit the university to see its live tiger mascot, Mike, and explore an outdoor museum of historic Louisiana buildings.
- Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center – Walk along wooden paths through cypress swamps filled with local wildlife.
How the city got its name
Baton Rouge is French for “Red Stick.” The city was named in 1699 after French explorers saw a painted wooden pole that marked hunting grounds for Native American tribes along the Mississippi River.
Why this city became the capital
Baton Rouge became the capital of Louisiana in 1849. Before this, the capital moved several times: it was in New Orleans (1803-1829), then Donaldsonville (1829-1831), and then back to New Orleans (1831-1849). Baton Rouge was chosen because it is located on the Mississippi River but is far enough inland to be safer from the coastal storms that affected New Orleans. During the Civil War, the capital moved briefly to Opelousas and Shreveport before returning permanently to Baton Rouge.
From Celine Carlson’s 50 State Capitals: A Field Guide by a Girl Who Visited Them All, based on her visits to all 50 state capitals. About the author · Sources and research notes.