Baton Rouge Facts
Fact 1: Students congregating at LSU are only the latest folks to gather in that spot, as evidenced by on-campus mounds created by Native Americans more than 5,000 years ago. Believed to have been built for ceremonial purposes and social gatherings, the mounds are older than the Egyptian pyramids and share similarities with other such edifices found throughout the Eastern US.
Fact 2: Southeastern Louisiana's storied past has had a number of players. The area's melange of cultures and influences comes largely from the nations that have controlled the region. They include Spain, France, England, the Republic of West Florida, the United States, the Confederate States, and Louisiana itself. Talk about your melting pots!
Fact 3: In America's battle for independence from the British, only one battle was waged outside the boundaries of the original thirteen colonies. It took place in Baton Rouge in 1779 and resulted in the surrender of a British fort to Bernardo de Gálvez, an American ally.
Fact 4: Just as southeastern Louisiana was shuttled from nation to nation, so was Baton Rouge's status as capital city. During much of the 19th century, state government shifted to New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and even Donaldsonville multiple times before finally settling in Baton Rouge for the final time in 1879.
Fact 5: Among his public works while in office, Governor Huey Long constructed a bridge over the Mississippi River. More than just improving infrastructure, it is reputed to have been built low enough that large tankers couldn't get upriver, thereby solidifying Baton Rouge's prominence as a port city.
Fact 6: Via LSU, Baton Rouge is home to the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, funded by oilman C.B. "Doc" Pennington. PBRC's mission is to explore nutrition's role in obesity, chronic disease, aging, and metabolism and improve quality of life through its efforts. The center boasts 40 research labs and a staff of more than 425.
Fact 7: Baton Rouge has undergone many changes since its early days of hunting and sugar-cane production. These days, the city supports itself with petrochemicals and oil refineries. Other strong industries include education, government, and medicine.
Fact 8: Louisiana's Cajun population are descendants of French settlers who moved to Canada only to be pushed out by British occupiers. They moved south rather than swear allegiance, bringing with them agricultural and Continental traditions. They made their home along the region's waterways and joined their heritage with influences from Africa, Spain, England, and Native America. The result: a vibrant culture of music, food, language, and character!
Fact 9: One of Baton Rouge's most famous sons, Peter Maravich, holds the record for scoring the most points per game in NCAA basketball history. Better known as "Pistol Pete," Maravich played at LSU under his father, Coach Press Maravich. His professional career included stints with the Utah Jazz, Atlanta Hawks, and Boston Celtics. Pete died in 1981 and is buried in Baton Rouge's Resthaven Cemetery.
Fact 10: Although Jimmy Swaggart is often remembered for the 1988 scandal that crippled his television ministry, Jimmy Swaggart Ministries still runs strong from its headquarters in Baton Rouge. The company airs radio and TV programs in 50 countries and operates a family worship center, along with a bible college and seminary.
