Baton Rouge is the capitol city of Louisiana and has been for 120 years. However, since statehood in 1812, 13 distinct buildings in five different cities have served as the state's capitol.
During the Civil War, Louisiana was a confederate state. Union armies invaded Louisiana and the old Capitol building was burned out. The picture is a model of the old Capitol before the Civil War. The masonry walls remained after the fire, and the Capitol was rebuilt within its original walls.
The current
Capitol building was built in 1932 for a mere $5 million. It is the tallest Capitol building in the 50 states--450 feet high with 34 floors. The new Capitol is surrounded by 27 acres of gardens. Huey Long, longtime Louisiana politician, was assassinated in the building in 1935 and is buried on the grounds, facing the Capitol. Long is credited with spearheading the drive for the new building.
The U.S.S. Kidd, a naval destroyer, was retired to its current location on the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge. The long bridge in the background is one of a number of bridges crossing the river.
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