Baton Rouge is in the southeastern part of Louisiana. Baton Rouge, the capital of LA, is a major port in the southern United States and is economically driven by manufacturing, distribution, and transportation -- keeping local Baton Rouge movers busy. Common products include concrete, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, plastics, and food. Oil refining is widespread in the region with ExxonMobil having large facilities in the city.
History:
In 1699, the French established the first settlement of the area. Baton Rouge in French means "red stick" which references marked poles representing Indian hunting boundaries. The British gained control of the area in 1762 and then the Spanish took over in 1779. The city grew substantially once the U.S. purchased Louisiana in 1815 and Baton Rouge was soon after incorporated in 1817. The capital was moved to Baton Rouge in 1849, but went back to New Orleans during the Civil War. However, in 1882, it once again went back to Baton Rouge. During the Civil War, the Union Army captured the city and Confederate attempts to regain control were unsuccessful. A new state capitol building in a skyscraper design was built in the city in the 1930s.
Tourism:
The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport is located five miles from the city. There are no major professional sports teams in the city, although there are several collegiate and minor league teams in the area. Historical sites in the city include the old capitol building, the governor's mansion, and the arsenal museum. Other destinations of Baton Rouge are the naval destroyer Kidd, arts and science center, a city zoo, and many parks and museums.