History Humans have lived in the modern-day Baton Rouge area since 12,000 BC. There is evidence of earthwork mounds built by societies, most likely hunter-gatherer societies, during the Middle Archaic period during the fourth millennium BC. Scientists also believe that the Mississippian culture was formed in roughly 800 AD by the early Muskogean communities. Upon the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century, many Mississippian political centers were in decline or had been abandoned. Modern-day Mississippi had been occupied by native chiefdoms interspersed with autonomous villages and tribal groups. Many people from these villages and tribal groups had lost their lives due to infectious diseases brought on by European colonizers. In 1698, a French explorer named Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville traveled up the Mississippi River with an exploration party. They saw a red pole as they traveled up the river, which is how Baton Rouge got its nickname of the 'Red Stick.' The red pole was a boundary between the Houma and Bayougoula tribal hunting grounds. In French, ‘le bâton rouge' translates to 'the red stick.' In 1721, French colonizers settled in Baton Rouge and established a military and trading post. Since Europeans traveled to and settled in Baton Rouge, the city has been governed by France, Britain, Spain, Louisiana, the Republic of West Florida, the United States, the Confederate States, and the United States once again. The city of Baton Rouge was incorporated in 1817 and five years later, city officials attended to the completion of the Pentagon Barracks complex of buildings. The Spaniards, French, British, Confederate States Army, and United States Army used these buildings. Only in 1951 was the ownership of the buildings transferred to the state of Louisiana, and it was in 1976 that these buildings were listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The United States acquired Louisiana in 1803, which increased the Anglo-American settlement in the city. Baton Rouge became the state's capital in 1846 and replaced New Orleans because it was ‘sinful.’ The old Louisiana State Capitol started construction in 1847 and is currently a National Historic Landmark. When the American Civil War started, Baton Rouge had roughly 5,500 people. This war took its toll on the city's economic progress, except for those businesses that supplied the Union Army. In 1862, Confederate troops attempted to recapture Baton Rouge under the leadership of generals John C. Breckinridge and Daniel Ruggles. Once the American Civil War was over, the seat of the state government returned to New Orleans. But the seat went back to Baton Rouge in 1882 after the Bourbon Democrats regained power. The city of Baton Rouge experienced an economic boom in the 1950s and 1960s after the petrochemical industry took off. This boom led to the city expanding beyond its original center. Besides expanding the city size, the boom also increased job opportunities for Baton Rouge residents and those elsewhere who were willing to relocate. Baton Rouge experienced another growth spurt in the 1990s and 2000s when a building boom occurred. During this time, Metropolitan Baton Rouge became ranked as one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the U.S. The city's population grew by 200,000 between 2000 and 2010. After Hurricane Katrina, this growth was mainly due to people moving to Baton Rouge from New Orleans.

Baton Rouge offers tourists and residents a range of activities, such as:

The LSU Museum of Art. This museum is located in the Shaw Center for the Arts and has fourteen galleries. Visit this museum and see Chinese jade carvings, works of Clementine Hunter, Newcomb College Pottery pieces, and more.

Louisiana’s Old State Capitol. This building was the home of the Louisiana State Legislature from the mid-19th century until the 1930s. It is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and is listed as a U.S. National Historic Landmark.

Red Stick Farmers Market. This farmers market is open on Thursdays and Saturdays, and all the produce is grown by local farmers.

Baton Rouge Zoo. City officials opened this zoo in 1970, which houses more than 1,800 animals. Visit the zoo to see amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, etc.

Blue Bayou Water Park and Dixie Landin'. This water park and amusement park, which lie opposite each other, are sure to entertain and enthrall your family all day.