City of Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge is the capital city of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located on the east bank of the Mississippi River in south central Louisiana, in East Baton Rouge Parish. City has an estimated population of 229,503 and 429,073 estimated population in East Baton Rouge. A colorful community rich in heritage, character and charm, Baton Rouge has emerged to rank as America's 70th largest Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).


The second largest city in Louisiana, Baton Rouge was established as a military post by the French in 1719. The present name of the city, however, dates back to 1699, when French explorers noted a red cypress tree stripped of its bark that marked the boundary between Houma and Bayou Goula tribal hunting grounds. They called the tree "le baton rouge," or red stick. The native name for the site had been Istrouma. From evidence found along the Mississippi, Comite, and Amite rivers, and in three native mounds remaining in the city, archaeologists have been able to date habitation of the Baton Rouge area to 8000 B.C.


The tourist industry has been growing and now annually attracts about 1.9 million visitors, who regularly seek out images of the antebellum South, historic battlefields, the vast and distinctive natural landscapes, Mardi Gras parades and local music and arts festivals. Main attractions include Baton Rouge Zoo, Enchanted Mansion Doll Museum, Hilltop Arboretum, Louisiana Arts & Science Museum, Louisiana Naval War Memorial & USS Kidd, Old Arsenal Powder Magazine, Andonie Museum, LSU Museum of Art, LSU Museum of Natural Science, Shaw Center for the Arts etc.