| Reviews and photos of Baton Rouge attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Baton Rouge sightseeing. Baton Rouge Map |
 | Baton Rouge Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 117 |  |
 stone marker at the Old Ferry
Landing, Port Allen by der_geograf
Along the Mississippi River's banks in the Baton Rouge area, federal, state, and local funds are combining to make the area more attractive. The Old Ferry Landing in Port Allen was completed in the summer of 2003, as a part of the bicentennial celebration of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. The landing consists of a long walkway along the crown of the levee, with benches and old-fashioned light fixtures. There is a main "plaza" in the center, with small historical exhibit about the Louisiana Purchase.
The specific location of the landing is significant in the area's history because it is the location where the ferry that carried cars across the river to Baton Rouge docked. When the U.S. Interstate Highway System was built through Baton Rouge in the 1960s, and the main bridge was built, the ferry was discontinued.
It may not look like much now, but the West Baton Rouge Riverfront Development Project has grand plans in store for this particular area. Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
Visiting Baton Rouge?
Read reviews about Baton Rouge Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
This Courthouse was extremely well maintained for a US treasure. It had an extraordinary amount of brocade and lace on the inside. The stairway winds up to the second level and is a sight to remember. ON the second tier, the whole building can be appreciated and pictures a must. Address: 100 North Blvd at River Road-Baton RougePhone: 800-488-2968Directions: Just to the east end of town by the river
|
 Destroyer USS Kidd by BruceDunning |
 Castellated Gothic Old State
Capitol Building by grandmaR, 4 more photos
Even from the outside it was an interesting building to photograph. It is Christian Gothic Revival and it has Medieval features, such as twin crenelated, octagonal towers. Mark Twain called this Capitol a "sham castle" and laid the blame for such architecture at the feet of Sir Walter Scott who had "run the people mad" with his "medieval romances."
The original state capitol was in New Orleans until about 1847. The state house was designed by James Harrison Dakin. Dakin referred to his design as "Castellated Gothic" because the decoration was cast-iron - both cheaper and more durable than other building materials used at the time.
In 1862, when Union Admiral David Farragut captured New Orleans, Baton Rouge was occupied by the Union troops and the Old Louisiana State Capitol caught fire twice. The empty, gutted shell was abandoned. But by 1882 the state house was totally reconstructed by architect and engineer William A. Freret, who installed the spiral staircase and stained glass dome. The refurbished state house remained in use until 1932, when Huey Long convinced the legislature to build him a new capitol building.
Today the old Capitol is a museum of political and governmental history. I understand that you can stand at an old podium and push a button to see a video and follow the teleprompter of famous speeches from any number of 20th century Louisiana governors, including Huey Long and his even more infamous brother, Earl Long. It is open Monday-Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm, Sunday 12:00pm to 4:00pm. There is a fee for admission
On the lawn outside there is a pink obelisk to Henry Watkins Allen (third photo) who was a Civil War Confederate Brigadier General, and who served as Governor of Louisiana in 1864. After the war, he was unwilling to live in the United States so he went to Mexico with other exiles and died there. His body was brought back and buried here in 1885 Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 by Virtuous_Tourist
Regular admission is just $4.00
(higher for special exhibits and promotions.)
The museum will be closed until October 10 in preparation of an exhibition commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase, "Joséphine, le grand amour de Napoléon ". It will feature objects of historical significance from Chateau Malmaison in France. Montreal is the only other North American city which will feature this promotional exhibit. Leave a Comment Address: South River Road, across from the CentroplexDirections: Downtown, near the Mississippi River.Website: http://www.lasm.org/
|
Visiting Baton Rouge?
Read reviews about Baton Rouge Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 Absolutely a well
preserved town for the US by BruceDunning
Get brochures before you come to plan visits to the antebellum homes in the area. It is fabulous. Address: On LA Hwy 10, just off US 61Phone: 225-635-4224-800-789-4221Directions: North of Baton Rouge 21 milesWebsite: www.stfrancisville.us
|
 by SeaBreezeUSA |
 by SeaBreezeUSA
|
The 1949 movie "All the King's Men", piqued my interest in Huey Long aka "The Kingfish". In 1960 when we lived in Louisiana, I read the book "Louisiana Hayride".
Huey Long built 2,300 more paved roads, plus 6,000 miles of gravel roads and 12 bridges across Louisiana rivers. He provided free schoolbooks for children, free night schools for adults, a new medical school and a new system of charity hospitals and he eliminated the poll tax. That's what people remember about him.
I was fascinated to find that old Huey was buried on the grounds of the new capital.
Long was critically wounded on September 8, 1935 while he was a U.S. Senator and died two days later. At the time, it was assumed that Dr. Carl Weiss was the assassin. Long was heavily guarded with submachine gun toting bodyguards and it was never determined whose bullets entered Long's body. There is speculation that bullets from his bodyguards provided the mortal wounds after richocheting. There has been some conjecture that one of Long's bodyguards may have killed Long under the influence of supporters of President Franklin Roosevelt, who perceived Long as a threat in the 1936 election. Dr. Weiss was killed at the same time. Bullet holes are still visible in the hall of the Louisiana State Capital where Long was shot.
Huey Long's body is under a large statue of him which faces the capital.
Engraving on the back of Long statue:
HUEY PIERCE LONG
1893 - 1935
Governor 1928 -1932
United States Senator
1932 -1935
Here Lies Louisiana's Great Son
Huey Pierce Long An Unconquered
Friend of the Poor Who Dreamed Of
The Day When the Wealth of the Land
Would Be Spread Among All the People
I Know the Hearts of the People
Because I Have Not Colored My Own.
I Know When I Am Right In My Own
Conscience I Have One Language.
Its Simplicity Gains Pardon For
My Lack of Letters. Fear Will Not
Change It. Persecution Will Not
Change It. It Cannot Be Changed
While People Suffer.
Erected By The State Of Louisiana 1940 Leave a Comment
|
| | |
|
- Courtyard by Marriott Baton Rouge Siegen Lane
10307 N Mall Drive, Baton Rouge, LA - Hampton Inn Baton Rouge-I-10 & College Dr.
4646 Constitution Ave, Baton Rouge, LA - Days Inn Baton Rouge/Siegen Lane
10455 Reiger Road (formerly Holiday Inn), Baton Rouge, LA - Deluxe Inn Baton Rouge
10245 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, LA - Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Baton Rouge East
6254 Siegen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA - Crestwood Suites Baton Rouge
5222 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA - Microtel Inn And Suites
10311 Plaza Americana Drive, Baton Rouge, LA - Corporate Inn
2365 College Drive, Baton Rouge, LA - Residence Inn Baton Rouge Siegen Lane
10333 North Mall Dr., Baton Rouge, LA - Holiday Inn Select Executive Center
4728 Constitution Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA - Motel 6 Baton Rouge Southeast
10445 Reiger Rd I-10 at Exit #163, Baton Rouge, LA - Crossland Sherwood Forest
11140 Boardwalk Drive, Baton Rouge, LA - Quality Suites Bluebonnet Center
9138 Bluebonnet Centre Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA - Red Roof Baton Rouge
11314 Boardwalk Drive, Baton Rouge, LA - Chase Suite Hotel Baton Rouge
5522 Corporate Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA
|
