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98-538: In 1980, Baton Rouge oilman and philanthropist C. B. "Doc" Pennington and his wife, Irene, provided $ 125 million to fund construction of the nutritional research center. With a U.S. Department of Defense contract and funding from the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, Governor Buddy Roemer proclaimed the official opening of the Center in 1988. Dr George A. Bray , a renowned obesity researcher,

196-664: A 2019 study by Sperling's BestPlaces , other notable Christian bodies in the area include Anglicans or Episcopalians , Pentecostals , Presbyterians , Latter-Day Saints , and Lutherans . Christians including Jehovah's Witnesses , the Metropolitan Community Church , Christian Unitarians , and the Eastern Orthodox among others collectively made up 14% of the Sperling's study other Christian demographic. Notable Anglican or Episcopalian jurisdictions operating throughout

294-584: A 2020 study by the Association of Religion Data Archives , Christianity is the most-practiced religion for the Baton Rouge area, being influenced by Catholicism and Protestantism . In 2020, ARDA reported there were 61 congregations and 174,410 Catholics within the metropolitan area. The Catholic population is primarily served by the Latin Church 's Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge —a suffragan diocese of

392-536: A bluff above the Mississippi". In the 1950s and 1960s, the petrochemical industry boomed in Baton Rouge, stimulating the city's expansion beyond its original center. The changing market in the oil business has produced fluctuations in the industry, affecting employment in the city and area. In 1953, there was a bus boycott by black riders who were forbidden to occupy seats reserved for whites, leading eventually to some improvement of their rights. On January 10, 1972,

490-580: A capitol in Neo-Gothic style, complete with turrets and crenellations, and stained glass; it overlooks the Mississippi. It has been described as the "most distinguished example of Gothic Revival" architecture in the state and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark . By the outbreak of the American Civil War , the population of Baton Rouge was nearly 5,500. The war nearly halted economic progress, except for businesses associated with supplying

588-593: A distinct culture for centuries. From 1763 to 1783, Baton Rouge was part of the British North American colony of West Florida , though it was captured by Spanish forces in in September 1779 . During the first half of the 19th century, Baton Rouge grew steadily as the result of steamboat trade and transportation. Baton Rouge was incorporated in 1817. In 1822, the Pentagon Barracks complex of buildings

686-519: A joint resolution, approved January 15, 1811, to provide for the temporary occupation of the disputed territory and declaring that the territory should remain subject to future negotiation. According to the French negotiator of the Louisiana Purchase, François Barbé-Marbois , "The Louisianans themselves agreed that [the Baton Rouge district] had been considered to belong to Florida, but, nevertheless,

784-535: A joint resolution, approved January 15, 1811, to provide for the temporary occupation of the disputed territory and declaring that the territory should remain subject to future negotiation. On March 11, 1811, rebellious elements again raised the Lone Star flag of the West Florida Republic, forcing Governor Claiborne to dispatch troops to enforce his authority. Spain did not agree to relinquish its title to any of

882-466: A large plant in Iberville Parish near Plaquemine , 17 miles (27 km) south of Baton Rouge. Shaw Construction , Turner, and Harmony all started with performing construction work at these plants. In addition to being the state capital and parish seat, the city is the home of Louisiana State University , which employs over 5,000 academic staff. One of the largest single employers in Baton Rouge

980-619: A military and trading post. Since then, Baton Rouge has been governed by France, Britain, Spain, Louisiana, the Republic of West Florida , the United States, the Confederate States , and the United States again. In 1755, when French settlers in the colony of Acadia (known as Acadians ) were deported from there by British authorities, many took up residence in rural Louisiana, including Baton Rouge. Popularly known as Cajuns they maintained

1078-524: A multicultural region practicing many religious traditions from Catholicism to Protestantism and Louisiana Voodoo . Baton Rouge is a major, growing industrial, petrochemical , medical, research, motion picture, and technology center of the American South . It is the location of Louisiana State University —the LSU system 's flagship university and the state's largest institution of higher education. It

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1176-537: A population of 227,470 as of 2020 ; it is the seat of Louisiana's most populous parish (county-equivalent), East Baton Rouge Parish , and the center of Louisiana's second-largest metropolitan area and city, Greater Baton Rouge . The Baton Rouge area owes its historical importance to its strategic site upon the Istrouma Bluff, the first natural bluff upriver from the Mississippi River Delta at

1274-470: A presence in the area. The Muslim population has grown out of Middle Eastern immigration and African American Muslim missionary work. The first Islamic private school in Baton Rouge was established in 2019. In 2019, Orthodox Jews made up 0.2% of Baton Rouge's religious population. 0.6% of the population identified with eastern faiths. including Buddhism and Hinduism . New religious movements including contemporary paganism have small communities in

1372-465: A respectful ceremony to mark the formal act of transfer. Thus, at 2:30 p.m. that afternoon, December 10, 1810, "the men within the fort marched out and stacked their arms and saluted the flag of West Florida as it was lowered for the last time, and then dispersed". Skipwith later expressed his gratitude at the result of the intervention, but he criticized bitterly the method by which Madison and Claiborne had brought it about. He stated his belief that

1470-461: A result of suburbanization in 2019, to an estimated 854,884. In 2020, the metropolitan statistical area's population increased to 870,569 residents, reflecting southern Louisiana's population growth in contrast with northern Louisiana's stagnation and decline. In 2019, the city of Baton Rouge had a population density of 2,982.5 people per square mile. With the population growth of European and African-descended peoples in present-day Baton Rouge,

1568-512: A sharp and bloody firefight that wrested control of the region from the Spanish". The rebels unfurled the flag of the new republic, a single white star on a blue field made by Melissa Johnson, wife of Major Isaac Johnson , commander of the Feliciana cavalry engaged in the attack. (The " Bonnie Blue Flag " that was flown fifty years later at the start of the American Civil War resembles it. ) After

1666-604: A sizable international population of over 11,300 as of 2008, the largest groups were people of Hispanic and Latino, or Vietnamese descent. This contributes to Baton Rouge's unique culture and diversity. Baton Rouge has an expanding visual arts scene, which is centered downtown. Professional performing arts organizations include Theatre Baton Rouge, the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre, Opera Louisiane and Playmakers—a professional Children's Theatre. This increasing collection of venues includes

1764-510: A surrender of the territory by "the constitutional authorities thereof as an independent state" was the only method that could give the United States "an unqualified and legal title" to its possession. Claiborne himself reported that much of the resentment aroused among the people in West Florida by Madison's proclamation arose from the fact that it was not thought to be sufficiently respectful toward their constituted officials. Congress passed

1862-535: A team of over 80 scientists and physicians with specialties such as molecular biology, genomics and proteomics, neuroanatomy, exercise physiology, biochemistry, psychology, endocrinology, biostatistics and electrophysiology. One of the former employees was the late state legislator Leonard J. Chabert from Terrebonne Parish , the namesake of the Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center in Houma . The comprehensive research program at

1960-636: A violent shootout between members of the Nation of Islam (NOI) and the police ensued, which left two sheriff's deputies and two black males dead at the scene. 31 individuals were injured, including 14 police officers. In response, then-Louisiana Governor John McKeithen ordered 700 members of the Louisiana National Guard to patrol the streets to tamp down further intercity violence. Baton Rouge Mayor-President Woodrow Wilson "W. W." Dumas subsequently imposed an evening to early-morning curfew. On January 14,

2058-454: Is 68.4 °F (20.2 °C). The average temperature for January is 51.7 °F (10.9 °C) and July is 83.0 °F (28.3 °C). The area is usually free from extremes in temperature, with some cold winter fronts, but those are usually brief. Baton Rouge's proximity to the Gulf of Mexico exposes the city and metropolitan area to hurricanes. On September 1, 2008, Hurricane Gustav struck

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2156-624: Is a post painted red that the savages have sunk there to mark the land line between the two nations, namely: the land of the Bayagoulas which they were leaving and the land of another nation—thirty leagues upstream from the baton rouge —named the Oumas. The red pole was presumably at Scott's Bluff, on what is now the campus of Southern University. It was reportedly a 30-foot-high (9.1 m) painted pole adorned with fish bones. European settlement of Baton Rouge began in 1721 when French colonists established

2254-404: Is about 79 miles (127 km) from New Orleans , 126 miles (203 km) from Alexandria , 56 miles (90 km) from Lafayette and 250 miles (400 km) from Shreveport . It is also 173 miles (278 km) from Jackson , Mississippi and 272 miles (438 km) from Houston , Texas . Baton Rouge lies on a low elevation of 56 to a little over 62 feet above sea level . Baton Rouge

2352-735: Is also the location of Southern University , the flagship institution of the Southern University System —the nation's only historically black college system. The Port of Greater Baton Rouge is the tenth-largest in the U.S. by tonnage shipped, and it is the farthest upstream Mississippi River port capable of handling Panamax ships. Major corporations participating in the Baton Rouge metropolitan statistical area's economy include Amazon , Lamar Advertising Company , BBQGuys , Marucci Sports , Piccadilly Restaurants , Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers , ExxonMobil , Brown & Root , Shell , and Dow Chemical Company . Human habitation in

2450-548: Is developing a medical district expected to be similar to the Texas Medical Center . LSU and Tulane University have both announced plans to construct satellite medical campuses in Baton Rouge to partner with Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center and Baton Rouge General Medical Center , respectively. Southeastern Louisiana University and Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University both have nursing schools in

2548-545: Is syncretized with the African American Baptist culture of the Florida Parishes and South Mississippi . The city of Baton Rouge is a "college town" with Baton Rouge Community College , Louisiana State University , Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University , and Southern University located throughout the city limits; the students of Louisiana State University alone make up 20% of the city population. In

2646-522: Is the capital of Louisiana and the parish seat of East Baton Rouge Parish . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has an area of 79.15 square miles (205.0 km ), of which 76.95 square miles (199.3 km ) are land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km ) (2.81%) are covered by water. Baton Rouge is on the first set of bluffs north of the Mississippi River Delta 's coastal plains. Because of its prominent location along

2744-678: Is the state government, which consolidated all branches of state government downtown at the Capitol Park complex. The city has a substantial medical research and clinical presence. Research hospitals have included Our Lady of the Lake , Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital (affiliated with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital ), Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center , and Earl K. Long (closed 2013). Together with an emerging medical corridor at Essen Lane, Summa Avenue and Bluebonnet Boulevard, Baton Rouge

2842-539: The Baton Rouge Gallery , offering a range of local art, are scattered throughout the city. Republic of West Florida The Republic of West Florida ( Spanish : República de Florida Occidental , French : République de Floride occidentale ), officially the State of Florida , was a short-lived republic in the western region of Spanish West Florida for just over 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 months during 1810. It

2940-609: The Black Warrior River began to appear between about 1200 BC and 500 BC—a period called the Middle "Gulf Formational Stage". The Eastern Muskogean language began to diversify internally in the first half of the first millennium AD. The early Muskogean societies were the bearers of the Mississippian culture , which formed around 800 AD and extended in a vast network across the Mississippi and Ohio valleys, with numerous chiefdoms in

3038-491: The Brookings Institution . In 2009, the city was ranked by CNN as the 9th-best place in the country to start a new business. Lamar Advertising Company has its headquarters in Baton Rouge. Other notable companies headquartered in the city include BBQGuys , Marucci Sports , Piccadilly Restaurants , and Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers . Notable corporations which have established offices or distribution centers in

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3136-637: The Church of God in Christ . Presbyterians are mainly members of the Presbyterian Church (USA) . In 2020, the Church of God in Christ was the area's largest Pentecostal denomination by membership. In 2019, the second-largest religion in Baton Rouge and its metropolitan area was Islam . In 2020, there were over six mosques in the Baton Rouge area, primarily affiliated with Sunni Islam . The Nation of Islam also has

3234-433: The Gulf of Mexico . This allowed development of a business quarter safe from seasonal flooding. In addition, it built a levee system stretching from the bluff southward to protect the riverfront and low-lying agricultural areas. Baton Rouge has developed as a culturally rich center, with settlement by immigrants from numerous European nations and African peoples brought to North America as slaves or indentured servants. It

3332-704: The Louisiana Public Service Commission in December 2022, many Baton Rougeans helped elect Davante Lewis —the first openly LGBT politician to the state government. On 28 April 2024, the Louisiana State Supreme Court gave the city of St. George the right to secede from Baton Rouge, in a 4–3 decision. The city of Baton Rouge lies on the banks of the Mississippi River in southeastern Louisiana's Florida Parishes region. The city

3430-528: The Old Huey Long Bridge because the clearance is insufficient. In addition, the river depth decreases significantly just to the north, near Port Hudson . Baton Rouge's largest industry is petrochemical production and manufacturing. ExxonMobil 's Baton Rouge Refinery complex is the fifth-largest oil refinery in the country; it is the world's tenth largest. Baton Rouge also has rail, highway, pipeline, and deep-water access. Dow Chemical Company has

3528-714: The Rigolets . The Pearl River , with its branch that flowed into the Rigolets, formed the eastern boundary of the republic. A military expedition from the republic attempted but failed to capture the Spanish outpost at Mobile , which was situated between the Pearl and the Perdido River , farther to the east. Despite its name, none of the Republic of West Florida was within the borders of the present-day state of Florida , but rather entirely within

3626-481: The Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of New Orleans . The Southern Baptist Convention was the second largest individual Christian denomination with 208 congregations and 91,293 members. The United Methodists had 28,924 members. The National Baptist Convention had 15,532 adherents in 25 churches. Non-denominational Protestants were spread out in 270 churches numbering 102,500. In

3724-757: The Shaw Center for the Arts . Opened in 2005, the facility houses the Brunner Gallery, LSU Museum of Art ; the Manship Theatre; a contemporary art gallery; traveling exhibits; and several eateries. Another prominent facility is the Louisiana Art and Science Museum , which contains the Irene W. Pennington Planetarium, traveling art exhibits, space displays, and an ancient Egyptian section. Several smaller art galleries, including

3822-522: The Union Army occupation of the city, which began in the spring of 1862 and lasted for the duration of the war. The Confederates at first consolidated their forces elsewhere, during which time the state government moved to Opelousas and later Shreveport . In the summer of 1862, about 2,600 Confederate troops under generals John C. Breckinridge (the former Vice President of the United States ) and Daniel Ruggles attempted to recapture Baton Rouge. After

3920-567: The Union . Skipwith proclaimed that he and his men would "surround the Flag-Staff and die in its defense". Claiborne entered St. Francisville with a U.S. Army contingent of 300 from Fort Adams under Col. Leonard Covington on December 6, 1810, and Baton Rouge on December 10. After Claiborne refused to recognize the West Florida government, Skipwith and the legislature eventually agreed to accept Madison's annexation proclamation. Congress passed

4018-502: The War of 1812 with Britain , with whom Spain was allied. On May 14, 1812, the claimed portion of West Florida east of the Pearl River was assigned to Mississippi Territory , though at the time, the area around Mobile Bay remained under the control of Spanish Florida . Following that Congressional declaration of annexation and an act of February 12, 1813, (3 Stat. L. 472) authorizing

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4116-584: The West Florida territory occupied by the United States until 1819, upon the signing of the Adams–Onís Treaty . The Constitution of the Republic of West Florida was based largely on the United States Constitution , and divided the government into three branches: executive, judicial, and legislative. The legislature consisted of a Senate and House of Representatives. The Governor was chosen by

4214-441: The 1800 treaty nor the 1803 purchase includes the word "originally"; instead, they state, "with the same extent that it now has in the hands of Spain and that it had when France possessed it". Madison's tweak served his annexation rationale but had no basis in the treaty language. William C. C. Claiborne was sent to take possession of the territory. The West Florida government opposed annexation, preferring to negotiate terms to join

4312-527: The 2010 U.S. census. After the extensive damage in New Orleans and along the coast from Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005, the city took in as many as 200,000 displaced residents. In 2010, Baton Rouge started a market push to become a test city for Google 's new super high speed fiber optic line known as GeauxFiBR. In July 2016, the Greater Baton Rouge metropolitan area was heavily affected by

4410-593: The 2020 United States census, Black or African Americans made up 53.55% of the city-proper's population. In 2021 census estimates, Black or African Americans made up the largest share of youths. The remaining racial and ethnic makeup for the city in 2020 was 34.22% non-Hispanic white , 0.17% American Indian and Alaska Native , 3.21% Asian , 0.03% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander , 2.55% two or more races , and 5.94% Hispanic and Latino American of any race. The growing Hispanic and Latino population reflected increasing trends of nationwide diversification. Among

4508-465: The American Indian population declined to one of the smallest minority groups in the area. With the increase among people of color during the 20th century, Baton Rouge has also declined as a predominantly non-Hispanic white city, hastened by suburbanization, aging out, and white flight . In 1970, non-Hispanic whites were 70.5% of the population. In 2020, they were 34.2% of the total population. In

4606-490: The Americans were land speculators eager to profit should the territory join the U.S. During the decade after 1803, the U.S. southern border was the scene of many minor frontier events that involved diplomatic relations with Britain, France and Spain. In order to resolve the problems along that border and gain control of ports for commerce, the U.S. desired to possess all territory east of the Mississippi. West Florida occupied

4704-547: The Baton Rouge area has been dated to 12000–6500 BC , based on evidence found along the Mississippi, Comite , and Amite rivers. Earthwork mounds were built by hunter-gatherer societies in the Middle Archaic period , from roughly the fourth millennium BC. The speakers of the Proto- Muskogean language divided into its descendant languages by about 1000 BC; and a cultural boundary between either side of Mobile Bay and

4802-538: The Baton Rouge area have included Amazon in 2021, and Microsoft . Chicago Bridge & Iron Company had an office in Baton Rouge before being sold in 2017. In 2023, Aldi established a presence in Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge is the farthest inland port on the Mississippi River that can accommodate ocean-going tankers and cargo carriers . The ships transfer their cargo (grain, oil, cars, containers) at Baton Rouge onto rails and pipelines (to travel east–west) or barges (to travel north). Deep-draft vessels cannot pass

4900-502: The Capital City Alliance. The area has grown a sizeable LGBT community, holding festivals such as Baton Rouge Pride. Native American religions and Afrodiasporic religions were commonplace alongside Christianity in Baton Rouge's early history. Due to French, Spanish, and British colonization and missionary efforts, in addition to American settlement, Baton Rouge became a predominantly Christian city and metropolitan area. In

4998-882: The Greater Baton Rouge area include the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana aligned with the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States ; and the Reformed Episcopal Diocese of Mid-America and the Anglican Diocese of the Western Gulf Coast aligned with the Anglican Church in North America . Baton Rouge's Pentecostal communities are mainly affiliated with the Assemblies of God USA and

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5096-518: The Nutrition and Obesity Research Center (NORC) Baton Rouge Baton Rouge ( / ˌ b æ t ən ˈ r uː ʒ / BAT -ən ROOZH ; French : Baton Rouge or Bâton-Rouge , pronounced [bɑtɔ̃ ʁuʒ] ; Louisiana Creole : Batonrouj ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Louisiana . Located on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River , it had

5194-616: The Pennington Biomedical Research Center focuses on ten specific research program areas as outlined below. Researchers in these divisions rely on the latest molecular, physiological, clinical, behavioral, and bioinformatics technologies with the ultimate goal of preventing common diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. Pennington Biomedical Research Center provides core services in three specific areas (i.e., Basic Science, Clinical Science, and Population Science) to support researchers and increase

5292-621: The President to occupy that area, U.S. General James Wilkinson sailed from New Orleans to Mobile in April 1813 with a force of 600, whereupon he received the surrender of the Spanish commander. The boundaries of the Republic of West Florida included all territory south of parallel 31°N , east of the Mississippi River , and north of the waterway formed by the Iberville River , Amite River , Lake Maurepas , Pass Manchac , Lake Pontchartrain , and

5390-488: The Southeast, as well. By the time the Spanish made their first forays inland from the shores of the Gulf of Mexico in the early 16th century, by some evidence many political centers of the Mississippians were already in decline, or abandoned. At the time, this region appeared to have been occupied by a collection of moderately sized native chiefdoms, interspersed with autonomous villages and tribal groups. Other evidence indicates these Mississippian settlements were thriving at

5488-435: The United States had abandoned its right to the country and that the West Florida people would not now submit to the American government without conditions. Skipwith and several of his unreconciled legislators then departed for the fort at Baton Rouge, rather than surrender the country unconditionally and without terms. At Baton Rouge on December 9, Skipwith informed Holmes that he would no longer resist but could not speak for

5586-463: The United States in 1803 was a catalyst for increased Anglo-American settlement, especially in the northern part of the state. In 1846, the state legislature designated Baton Rouge as Louisiana's new capital to replace "sinful" New Orleans . The architect James Dakin was hired to design the old Louisiana State Capitol , with construction beginning in late 1847. Rather than mimic the United States Capitol , as many other states had done, he designed

5684-420: The United States should take possession of it, on the basis that it was part of the Louisiana Purchase. In his proclamation, Madison invoked the portion of the Louisiana Purchase agreement that directly quoted the 1800 St. Ildefonso treaty between France and Spain: Louisiana, he stated, had "the same extent that it had in the hands of Spain, and that it had when France originally possessed it". However, neither

5782-408: The United States without terms in regard to land titles and to refugees. The two governors took steps to prepare the minds of the people to receive them and at the same time to overwhelm possible opposition by a show of force. On November 7, Fulwar Skipwith was elected as governor, together with members of a bicameral legislature. Skipwith was a cotton planter who lived just north of Baton Rouge. He

5880-412: The [state legislature] declared, by one of its first acts that this district of country was a portion of Louisiana. ... but this eagerness to strengthen doubtful pretensions by possession, does not accord with the spirit of justice that characterizes the other political acts of the United States." The Mobile District , now coastal Mississippi and Alabama , remained under Spanish control until

5978-399: The area referred to as the Baton Rouge District , which was annexed to the United States in 1810. In the state of Louisiana, the civil parishes (equivalent to counties elsewhere in the U.S.) that comprised the former Republic of West Florida are known today as the Florida Parishes . This is partly due to their short-lived independent state, but also in recognition of their heritage in

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6076-428: The area, and a minority practice Haitian Vodou , Louisiana Voodoo , and Hoodoo . In Sperling's 2019 study, 31.9% of the population identified as either spiritual but not religious , agnostic , or atheist Baton Rouge enjoys a strong economy that has helped the city be ranked as one of the "Top 10 Places for Young Adults" in 2010 by portfolio.com and one of the top 20 cities in North America for economic strength by

6174-614: The boundary between the Houma and Bayagoula tribal hunting grounds. The French name le bâton rouge ("the red stick") is the translation of a native term rendered as Istrouma , possibly a corruption of the Choctaw iti humma ("red pole"); André-Joseph Pénicaut—a carpenter traveling with d'Iberville—published the first full-length account of the expedition in 1723. According to Pénicaut: From there [ Manchacq ] we went five leagues higher and found very high banks called écorts in that region, and in savage called Istrouma which means red stick [ bâton rouge ], as at this place there

6272-519: The city and became the worst hurricane ever to hit the Baton Rouge area. Winds topped 100 miles per hour (160 km/h), knocking down trees and powerlines and making roads impassable. The roofs of many buildings suffered tree damage, especially in the Highland Road, Garden District, and Goodwood areas. The city was shut down for five days and a curfew was put in effect. Rooftop shingles were ripped off, signs blew down, and minor structural damage occurred. Prior to colonization, American Indians were once

6370-483: The city-proper's third historic high in 2010, to 227,470 at the 2020 census . The black population increased in Baton Rouge after the Civil War. Including the consolidated city–parish of Baton Rouge in 2019 ( East Baton Rouge Parish ), the American Community Survey estimated 443,763 people lived in the area. In 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau determined 456,781 people lived in the consolidated city–parish. The metropolitan population of Baton Rouge increased to 3.6% as

6468-403: The continued independence of West Florida secured the adoption of a constitution at a convention in October. The convention had earlier commissioned an army under Philemon Thomas to march across the territory, subdue opposition to the insurrection, and seek to secure as much Spanish-held territory as possible. "Residents of the western Florida Parishes proved largely supportive of the Revolt, while

6566-403: The curfew was lifted. A building boom began in the city in the 1990s and continued into the 2000s, during which Baton Rouge became one of the fastest-growing cities in the Southern United States in terms of technology. Metropolitan Baton Rouge was ranked as one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the U.S. (with a population under 1 million), with 602,894 in 2000 and 802,484 people as of

6664-438: The efficiency and accuracy of investigative procedures. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awards center grants to institutions with groups of established researchers working in a variety of scientific research fields. There are three NIH Centers of Excellence at Pennington Biomedical Research Center. the Center for Research on Botanicals and Metabolic Syndrome (BRC), the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE), and

6762-458: The end of the Seven Years' War in 1763, France ceded its remaining lands east of the Mississippi River (which included the land between the Perdido and Mississippi Rivers) to Great Britain , while Spain ceded its Florida territory to Britain. Twenty years later, at the conclusion of the American Revolutionary War in 1783, Spain received both East and West Florida from Great Britain. The United States and Spain held long negotiations regarding

6860-478: The immortal founder of the liberties of America, stimulates that return, and would frown upon our cause, should we attempt to change its course. As governor, Skipwith personally directed the preparations for the dispatch of the armed force to wrest the remainder of West Florida from Spain. Skipwith's inauguration ceremony was held on November 29. A week later, he and many of his fellow officials still lingered at St. Francisville preparing to go to Baton Rouge, where

6958-408: The jurisdiction of the Spanish, friends who had done nothing to deserve such aggression". Support for the revolt was far from unanimous. The presence of competing pro-Spanish, pro-American, and pro-independence factions, as well as the presence of scores of foreign agents, contributed to a "virtual civil war within the Revolt as the competing factions jockeyed for position". The faction that favored

7056-494: The land from the Mississippi River to beyond the Mobile River and also separated the United States' Orleans and Mississippi territories. (New Orleans and West Florida had been the prime U.S. desires in the negotiations with Napoleon that resulted instead in the Louisiana Purchase.) In West Florida, from June to September 1810, many secret meetings, as well as three openly held conventions, of those who resented Spanish rule and

7154-532: The legislature. According to the constitution, the official name of the country was the "State of Florida". The marching song of the West Floridian army included these lyrics in verse six: West Floriday, that lovely nation, Free from king and tyranny, Thru' the world shall be respected, For her true love of Liberty. The United States did not recognize the independence of the Republic of West Florida, and on October 27, 1810, James Madison proclaimed that

7252-510: The majority of the population in the eastern region of the Florida Parishes opposed the insurrection. Thomas' army violently suppressed opponents of the revolt, leaving a bitter legacy in the Tangipahoa and Tchefuncte River regions." William C. C. Claiborne and David Holmes had to contend with the armed force under Thomas and the fact that those in control were determined not to submit to

7350-457: The medical district off Essen Lane. Louisiana State University's Pennington Biomedical Research Center , which conducts clinical and biological research, also contributes to research-related employment in the area around the Baton Rouge medical district. The film industry in Louisiana has increased dramatically since the beginning of the 21st century, aided by generous tax incentives adopted by

7448-585: The new district governor, Carlos de Hault de Lassus , took place in the Baton Rouge District. Out of those meetings grew the West Florida rebellion and the establishment of the independent Republic of West Florida. Its capital was located at St. Francisville , in present-day Louisiana on a bluff along the Mississippi River. Early in the morning on September 23, 1810, armed rebels organized by Philemon Thomas stormed Fort San Carlos at Baton Rouge and killed two Spanish soldiers and captured de Lassus "in

7546-470: The next session of the legislature was to consider his ambitious program. The impending takeover apparently came as a surprise to Skipwith when Holmes and his party approached the town. Holmes persuaded all except a few leaders, including Skipwith and Philemon Thomas, the leader of the West Florida troops, to acquiesce to American authority. Skipwith complained bitterly to Holmes that, as a result of seven years of U.S. tolerance of continued Spanish occupation,

7644-518: The northern border of West Florida, concluding with Pinckney's Treaty in 1795. In 1800, under duress from Napoleon of France, Spain ceded Louisiana and the island of New Orleans back to France, which promised to return them to Spain should France ever relinquish them. This cession did not include West Florida. In 1803, France then sold Louisiana and New Orleans to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase . The U.S. claimed that West Florida

7742-419: The opportunity pass unexploited and "resorted to the oldest justification in the political book: he acted, even without [clear authority] on the grounds that 'a crisis has at length arrived subversive of the order of things under the Spanish authorities ' ". Madison issued a proclamation of annexation on October 27. Critics quickly condemned the president "for acting without proper authority and for supplanting

7840-583: The population of the city and metropolitan area, a substantial number identify as Cajun or Louisiana Creole . During the middle of the 20th century, The Advocate and other region-wide newspapers discriminated against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. In 1969, the Krewe of Apollo—an LGBT social club originating from nearby New Orleans—developed a sister branch for Baton Rouge. Its annual drag balls were targets of further discrimination. Since then, other organizations have been established, such as

7938-469: The possibility of annexation to the United States: ... wherever the voice of justice and humanity can be heard, our declaration and our just rights will be respected. But the blood which flows in our veins, like the tributary streams which form and sustain the father of rivers, encircling our delightful country, will return if not impeded, to the heart of our parent country. The genius of Washington ,

8036-560: The possibility of damaging winds and tornadoes yearlong. The area's average precipitation is 61.94 inches (141.1 cm) of rain and 0.1 inches (0.25 cm) of snow annually. With ample precipitation, Baton Rouge is fifth on the list of wettest cities in the United States. Snow in the Baton Rouge area is usually rare, although it snowed in three consecutive years at the first decade of the 21st century: December 11, 2008, December 4, 2009, and February 12, 2010. In 2017, Baton Rouge received snow again. The yearly average temperature for Baton Rouge

8134-576: The present borders of Louisiana. Louisiana parishes once part of the Republic of West Florida are: The republic sought to control the Mobile District , which included these later Mississippi and Alabama counties; however, a military expedition led by Reuben Kemper failed. They remained under Spanish control until 1811 (Mississippi portion) and April 1813 (Alabama portion): The combined modern Louisiana parishes of East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and West Feliciana formed

8232-530: The primary residents of present-day Baton Rouge. With the coming of European colonization , and the migration of American settlers after the Louisiana Purchase , European and African-descended peoples became the predominant groups in the area by birth rates and immigration to a 1860 population of 5,428. Since reaching its first historic high of 220,394 residents at the 1980 U.S. census , the city's population has expanded and contracted twice: from 219,531 in 1990, to 227,818 in 2000—the second historic high—and 229,493,

8330-502: The revolt, Madison wanted to move quickly to annex the district but knew he could not use the military without congressional approval. Congress would not meet until December 1810. Military occupation would incur the wrath of Spain and perhaps also Britain and France. He feared if he did not move, West Florida could fall into unfriendly hands, as a considerable part of the population had previously been British subjects. Though troubled by "constitutional qualms", Madison did not want to let

8428-525: The river and on the bluffs, which prevents flooding, the French built a fort in the city in 1719. Baton Rouge is the third-southernmost capital city in the continental United States, after Austin, Texas , and Tallahassee, Florida . It is the cultural and economic center of the Greater Baton Rouge metropolitan area. Baton Rouge has a humid subtropical climate ( Köppen Cfa ). It has mild winters, hot and humid summers, moderate to heavy rainfall, and

8526-413: The shooting of Alton Sterling . His death led to multiple protests and the shooting of police officers . President Barack Obama also made remarks on the shooting of Alton Sterling. By February 2021, Sterling's family was given a $ 4.5 million settlement to settle a wrongful death lawsuit. In August 2016, the city and metropolitan area were severely flooded . During the runoff for District 3 of

8624-634: The state in 2002. In September 2013, the Baton Rouge Film Commission reported that the industry had brought more than $ 90 million into the local economy in 2013. Baton Rouge's largest production facility is the Celtic Media Centre, opened in 2006 by a local group in collaboration with Raleigh Studios of Los Angeles. Raleigh dropped its involvement in 2014. Baton Rouge is a culturally distinct area of Louisiana, where Cajun and Creole Catholic culture from Greater New Orleans and Acadiana

8722-570: The successful attack, plans were made to take Mobile and Pensacola from the Spanish and incorporate the eastern part of the province into the new republic. Reuben Kemper led a small force in an attempt to capture Mobile , but the expedition ended in failure. For some time, the governors of the Orleans and Mississippi territories, William C. C. Claiborne and David Holmes , respectively, had been U.S. President James Madison 's two chief agents in securing intelligence on West Florida. Upon learning of

8820-400: The time of the first Spanish contact. Later Spanish expeditions encountered the remains of groups who had lost many people and been disrupted in the aftermath of infectious diseases, chronic among Europeans, unknowingly introduced by the first expedition. French explorer Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville led an exploration party up the Mississippi River in 1698. The explorers saw a red pole marking

8918-420: The troops in the fort. Their commander was John Ballinger, who upon the assurance of Holmes that his troops would not be harmed, agreed to surrender the fort. Claiborne and his forces landed two miles above the town. Holmes reported to Claiborne that "the armed citizens ... are ready to retire from the fort and acknowledge the authority of the United States" without insisting upon any terms. Claiborne agreed to

9016-609: The war, New Orleans temporarily served as the seat of the Reconstruction era state government. When the Bourbon Democrats regained power in 1882, after considerable intimidation and voter suppression of black Republicans, they returned the state government to Baton Rouge, where it has since remained. In his 1893 guidebook, Karl Baedeker described Baton Rouge as "the Capital of Louisiana, a quaint old place with 10,378 inhabitants, on

9114-501: Was annexed and occupied by the United States later in 1810; it subsequently became part of Eastern Louisiana . Before 1762, France owned and administered the land west of the Perdido River as part of La Louisiane . In 1762, France signed a secret treaty with Spain that effectively ceded all French lands west of the Mississippi River , plus the Isle of New Orleans , to Spain . At

9212-423: Was appointed by George Washington in 1795 to the staff of James Monroe , the U.S. ambassador to France, and was a consul general to France under President Thomas Jefferson . Shortly after moving to Baton Rouge in 1809, he became involved in the effort to free West Florida from Spanish domination. The former American diplomat had helped negotiate the Louisiana Purchase . In his inaugural address, Skipwith mentioned

9310-532: Was completed. The site was used by Spanish, French, and British authorities and was occupied by both the Confederate States Army and United States Army . It was also part of the short-lived Republic of West Florida. In 1951, ownership of the barracks was transferred to the state of Louisiana. In 1976, the complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Acquisition of Louisiana by

9408-481: Was part of the Louisiana Purchase, a claim disputed by Spain, as it had controlled West Florida as a province separate from Spanish Louisiana since 1783. There was an influx of Americans into West Florida in the early years of the 19th century. The population of the Baton Rouge District was almost exclusively Anglo-American with a substantial number of Tory immigrants of the revolutionary period. Some of

9506-455: Was recruited to be the first executive director of the center and under his leadership the center reached its present status in the scientific world. Today, the Pennington Biomedical Research Center houses almost 600 employees, 14 research laboratories, 17 core service laboratories, an inpatient and outpatient clinic, two metabolic chambers, a research kitchen, an administrative area, more than $ 20 million in technologically advanced equipment, and

9604-428: Was ruled by seven different nations: the French, Spanish and British in the colonial era; briefly the Republic of West Florida ; the United States as a territory and a state; the Confederate States of America ; and the United States again since the end of the American Civil War . Throughout the governance of these various occupying national governments of Baton Rouge, the city and its metropolitan area have developed as

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