Baton Rouge - Louisiana

Baton Rouge is French for Red Stick for those of us who are not French speakers.  It is situated on the Mississippi River and is the State capital of Louisiana.  It is the home of LSU and Southern University. It is a busy river and the USS Kidd now calls this river home.

 We also saw a Yell Team practicing their calls and moves in preparation for the upcoming school football season.

 We visited the Old State Capital which during the Civil War was guttered by fire.

 It is a magnificent building.

 
As you can see.  It has a very elegant staircase.

Spectacular ceilings.
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 Elegant windows.

 There is lots of history within these walls such as this original Confederate flag which was flying over the Capital when it was taken over by Union troops.  The Captain who lead the capture of the Capitol sent this flag back to his family.  Sadly the officer never saw his home again as he was KIA.

We then visited the Old Governor's Mansion.  Another magnificent building.

 In the dining room of the house is a French wall paper that covers all four walls and this a part of that showing a depiction of people watching West Point Cadets drilling on the square.

 

Ross, who has a passion for walking sticks took a snap of this one which was owned by Governor Huey Long. It was one of many interesting international gifts presented to the Governor of the day.

 
We were even invited to park our Jeep out front of the Mansion.

There are many places to visit in Baton Rouge and many reminders of past events where people were mistreated and prosecuted.  The Repentance Water memorial which remembers the many prisoners who traveled this route on their way to the Commandant's building for sentencing.

  There are many different places to visit and enjoy.

There are many magnolias in bloom at the moment so for our Texan friends here is one for you.

Next stop is Natchez, Mississippi.

Best wishes,
Beverley and Ross