HISTORICAL BATON ROUGE

1913 Romain Building Sidewalk Clock Taken Down

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Fri, 2 Dec 2016 08:15:00 -0600

I was downtown for Jury Pool in October 2016 and I happened to walked past the Romain Building. I had to do a double take and it actually hurt me; the 1913 Sidewalk clock was taken down after 103 years.

I suspect that Mr. Properties took it down, I won't tell his name.

Just how many Baton Rougeon's remember and loved that old clock which was on a cast iron stand. Many baby-boomers such as myself fondly remember that Clock from when Third Street was the shopping hub of BR.

History is fleeing people.

Note: My baby doctor (and when I was older) was in the Romain Building whose name was "Old" Doctor Tyler. What I remember was the Radiator Heaters. He was one of two house calling doctors I had, the other was Doctor Crimes on Winboure Avenue. Doctor Crimes called my Mom "Mother"; 'Mother, Ronnie is a little anemic, put him on Liver for a while.'

RW Greenwell's Grave

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 22:58:00 -0500

I have searched for this good man's grave before with no luck. The man was Robert Washington Greenwell, Captain of the East Baton Rouge Militia, was a Partisan Ranger for Louisiana, namesake of Greenwell Springs Louisiana and Greenwell Springs Road and owner of the property that contained ten spring heads. The springs became the site of a mineral spring water resort in the mid 1800s.

The water from each spring head had different mineral properties due to the different depth.
People from Baton Rouge and other places would come to the site, behind the later 1920s Tuberculosis Hospital, for their health.
The resort offered a hotel, cabins, and a dance pavilion.

Brigadier General John Caleb Breckinridge rested up in the hotel from there March from camp Moore. The hotel was destroyed by fire during the Civil War. Eventually the spring head was widened too much and the springs lost there siphon power.

I respect Mr. Greenwell for his service to his community (parish & state).

There needs to be a historical plaque at the cemetery where he is buried - 'Odom Cemetery' Wax Road near Greenwell Spring Road.

[After reading viewer comment I now believe that I must have found RW Greenwell Jr. and not the father who is renown man.]

Photos from Port Allen regarding Gov. Allen and Allendale

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 07:27:00 -0500

This replacement marker dedicated Sept. 23, 1959
Allendale Plantation Historical Marker Dedication

These structure's and others like these is said to have come
from Allendale Platation. Call them slave quarters if you'd like.
My unqualified opinion is that they are1930s building of the
Cinclare Sugar Mill.

The original statue is in Winn Parish;
This statue sits across the street from the West Baton
Rouge Parish Courthouse.

To me: Allen is saying to Louisianian's after the Civil War:

Forget what you once possessed - now lost,

Forget the conflict and that you had enemies,

Forget the price you paid - more than was mete,

Swear allegiance to the Union - we are one again,

And built on the future and find solace where you can find it.

-Author of this blog

Story of two houses / Home owners helped CSA soldiers.

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Thu, 9 Aug 2012 19:40:00 -0500

Our first story of a antebellum house comes from "War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies" by Robert N Scott (1985) and the Report of US Major John H. Clybourn.

I will have to leave out much of the details due to a lack of knowledge, but this is so historically interesting and so pertinent to my blog I will write a short account in my words including a link to sources which covers these stories.

I presume that the time that Major Clybourn swam his command across the Comite River was just prior to the battle of Baton Rouge. Upon crossing the Comite Black man informed the major that at the house of Mr. Granville Pierce on [Greenwell Springs Road] they were harboring two Confederate Lieutenant's, one was the chief of the rebel scouts in the district. So Major Clybourn took ten men and surrounded the house. A thorough search through the home revealed nothing though the Yankee's saw their horses and gear. They seized their horses and left realizing that probably the rebel officer's were hid in the house.

[I may have seen this house which is not visible now, it is in a wooded area.]

Excerp about the above incident from, "War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies", page 1002.

"...[I] swam my command across the Comite River, and marched to Baton Rouge. Learning from a negro (sic) that the rebel Lieutenant Brannan and Lieutenant Brown were at the house of Mr. Granville Pierce, on Greenville (sic, Greenwell) Springs road, I charged up with a party of ten men and surrounded the place, capturing Lieutenant Brannan's orderly and equipments, but could find nothing of the rebel officers. I am certain they were hid away in the house. Lieutenant Brannan is chief of all the rebel scouts in this district." [Parenthesis added]

I do not know where this house was, or is.

The second story of second antebellum house come from Central City News www.centralcitynews.us/

Colonel Henry Watkins Allen had his cheek torn away by a mini-ball at the Battle of Shiloh and in 1862 had commenced to lead a charge against an enemy position when they fired a cannon and the blast knocked the young Colonel Allen down killing his mount, I don't know the detail of the incident to write of it in detail. The Article says that he was taken to a house on Joor Road to be treated for his wounds. I suspect that have been where the house is as related to me by two sources (not verified and no evidence), one source just say was an extremely old house across street from entrance of Dancy Drive off Joor) but nothing can be seen of it through the trees.

This happened on August 5th, in her diary Sarah Morgan wrote that about in November he was still unable to walk. Colonel Allen became Louisiana's second Confederate Governor and is buried on the Old State Capitol Grounds.

Link

Reflections of Baton Rouge

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Tue, 9 Aug 2011 23:56:00 -0500

Reflections of Baton Rouge Louisiana

I can’t think of any place better than Baton Rouge to grow up in. In the late 40’s and early 50’s it was a small town who’s claim to fame was that it was the capital of Louisiana and it was just 70 miles from New Orleans. We were on the edge of Cajun Country, our western parish line was the Mississippi River, we were in the center of the state and the brand new Interstate 10 was being built directly through our town. My mother owned a locally famous Donut shop and it felt good to be popular.

My earliest culinary memories were the afternoons we would take a family ride in our gray 46 Plymouth station wagon to Park Boulevard and buy hot tamales from Muffuelatto’s tamale cart located on the grass median at Government Street. Other favorite trips included hot and salty curly cue burgers from Alessi’s Drive Inn and the delicious crispy chicken box from Bernard's Chicken Shack. The Fleur de leis made their square Roman style pizza considered by most to be the best in town and the creamy Coke floats from Hopper’s drive in was one of my favorite sweet treats.

Like most people, I suppose, life changed towards adulthood and so did my town. My industrial sales job let me experience martini lunches at Leon’s Italian kitchen and white tablecloth food and service at Mike and Tony’s Restaurant. Sammy’s lounge, The Star Mist and Rip’s Huddle were my choices for night life and for dinning it was Dajonel’s for continental cuisine, Jubans for New Orleans Creole and Mike Anderson’s for the fried seafood. After that period of life, Baton Rouge grew beyond the plant worker’s town I had known all my life and the chain restaurants and night clubs more or less set the pace for entertainment and dining...

[Used by permission]

Mr. Lynn Anselmo

Tony's Donuts

Tony's Restaurant

Tony’s Donut Shop Chippewa Street at Plank Road

Served Baton Rouge from 1946 to 2004 and was considered by most to be the Best Donut in Town. The shop was created by my father, Anthony Anselmo (TONY). After his death in 1950, my mother, Grace, was in charge until we took over in 1974.

An interview with Mr. Anselmo

Fleur de lis Roman Style Pizza, began in 1946

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Tue, 9 Aug 2011 16:11:00 -0500

The an artist depiction of the Fleur de lis when it was a Cocktail Lounge,it is rumored that it was a Speakeasy* during prohibition under a previous ownership.

*a place where alcoholic drink was sold illicitly during Prohibition. Prohibition was from 1920 to 1933.

From a very good source: This was a service station, then grocery, the cocktail lounge, and now pizzeria. Also, from same source: There used to be a motel behind the cocktail lounge.

Fleur de lis, as it is today, very little has changed.

Fleur de lis Roman Style Pizza,
a family restaurant since 1946

5655 Government St. at Lovers Lane

Quote: "We try to keep everything the same as it always has been. Most importantly the recipe, style and quality of the pizza. We also try to maintain the traditional look of the building both inside and out." -Fleur de lis

Review: "The Fleur De leis made their square Roman style pizza considered by most to be the best in town..."

Mr. Lynn Anselmo, formerly owner of Tony's Restaurant

Author: I love the fact that the neon on the front is exactly the way it was from the cocktail lounge time, except for the addition of "Roman Pizza". The top neon say "Air Conditioning" which was "new" technology in the day. Even the Jax Beer sign hanging off a poll to the right is still there, but broke out.

Interestingly, the bar inside was brought over from the Dixie Brewery in New Orleans in the 1940's.

Other reviews:

Fleur de lis Pizza Homepage

The Fleur de lis story

Fleur de lis Roman Style Pizza

5655 Government St.

Drive-thru window and take out

Call Fleur de lis at (225) 924-2904

[My blog is non-commercial, that is, business' who let me post their history data I try to help them out a little, it a favor for a favor, I do not benefit from those favors I give.]

Baton Rouge Department Stores, now defunct

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Sun, 7 Aug 2011 22:18:00 -0500

Department Stores mentioned in this post are: Reymond's, Dalton's, Rosenfield's, Rubensteins, and Son.

Originally opened in 1915 as Reymond's Department Store but in 1929, it changed hands and became the Dalton Co. In 1955, it housed a branch of D.H. Holmes where it remained until they closed the 3rd Street location in February 1963. The building became the new home of I.H. Rubenstein's in 1965, the fourth department store firm to operate in the structure. in 1965, the fourth department store firm to operate in the structure. Source

RUBENSTEINS

The store, I.H. Rubenstein and Son, was a part of the musical chairs which affected Baton Rouge retailing throughout the last century. Mr. Rubenstein had been a manager of Rosenfield's, which dates back to 1853. Rosenfield's was the first store in Louisiana to be completely air conditioned, have elevators and eventually, moving stairs. In 1964, his son, I.H. Rubenstein Jr., left Rosenfield's to found the I.H. Rubenstein & Son store in the Broadmoor Shopping Center. Soon after, Rubenstein took over space on 3rd St. downtown that was first occupied by Reymond's, then Dalton's and finally a former downtown branch of New Orleans-based DH Holmes. Holmes had left downtown in 1963. I.H. Rubenstein was not a complete department store but carried medium-to-better clothing and accesories for the home. When I.H. Rubenstein, Jr. passed away in 1975, Rubenstein's locations included Broadmoor, Westmoreland, the Corporate Mall and a store in Hammond, LA. The downtown Rubenstein store closed in 1973. In April 1979, I.H. Rubenstein's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and the Corporate Mall store on College Dr. was immediately closed. However, after changing its format to that of 'value-pricing', Rubenstein would announce the closure of its business in November 1979.

Source: Unknown, I came across this in a thread on a message board.

Sons of Confederate Veterans formed 1896

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:27:00 -0500

The "Sons of Confederate Veterans" are direct decedents of Confederate Veterans, one has to be a decedent to join the SCV. The SCV, as an organization is the direct heir to the Civil War Veterans organization called, the United Confederate Veterans.

The "when and where" of the SCV founding and charge given to them by Lt. General Stephen Dill Lee in SCV words, I have be given permission by the local SCV camp to print on Historical Baton Rouge, I thought the charge from a Civil War Veteran was interesting and significant enough to post here..

[begin quote]

The Sons of Confederate Veterans formed in 1896 in Richmond Virginia is the direct heir to the United Confederate and is a historical, patriotic and non-political organization dedicated to ensuring that a true history of the 1861-1865 period is preserved.

Charge to the Sons of Confederate Veterans:

"To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we will commit the vindication of the Cause for which we fought.

To your strength will be given the defense of the Confederate soldier's good name, the guardianship of his history, the emulation of his virtues, the perpetuation of those principles which he loved and which you love also, and those ideals which made him glorious and which you also cherish. Remember, it is your duty to see that the true history of the South is presented to future generations."

Lt. General Stephen Dill Lee
Commander-General
United Confederate Veterans
New Orleans, April 25, 1906

[end quote]

General Dill was the youngest Confederate general.

St. Vincent's Academy

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 20:51:00 -0500

I will post a link to the photo of the St. Vincent's Academy when I find one. I have a reproduction of a postcard with the old school, but due to copyright, I assume that I can't post it here.

Here is a link to St. Vincent's Academy, but it is not the original school, this photo was taken in 1916: Click here

Plaque:

ST. VINCENT'S ACADEMY

CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

The Brothers of the Sacred Heart founded St. Vincent's Academy of this site in 1894. In 1929 the school for boys was replaced by a larger facility and renamed Catholic High School. In 1957 the school was moved to its present site on Hearthstone Drive. This marker commemorates the Centennial of the Brothers work in Baton Rouge.

Catholic High School was founded in 1894 as St. Vincent's Academy. The school was so named in recognition of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, who helped organize and establish the school. The original site of the school was an old frame building in downtown Baton Rouge, and the enrollment was 106 students. By the 1920s, the enrollment had grown to approximately 300 students, and in 1928, the Brothers of the Sacred Heart built a new school, gym, and brother's residence at the corner of North Street and Fourth Street.

The name of the Academy was changed to Catholic High School, in 1929, after the move into another facility.

Catholic High School History

The Iberville building, a Louisiana State building, is built on the site.

[Disclaimer: The "Religion" of this site is "History", as is the ethic race also "History" (unbiased on all points.)]

St. Joseph Cemetery - Est.1824

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Sat, 2 Jul 2011 16:38:00 -0500

THE FIRST CEMETERY IN BATON ROUGE WAS THE

CEMETERY OF LA YGLESIA DE LOS DOLORES DE LA

VIRGIN, OUR LADY OF SORROWS, ESTABLISHED IN

1792 BY ORDER OF KING CARLOS OF SPAIN. THIS

PRESENT CEMETERY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1824 AND

THE REMAINS OF BATON ROUGES FIRST SETTLERS

WERE MOVED HERE FROM THE ORIGINAL

SPANISH CEMETERY.

This cemetery is between North and Main Streets across Main street from the old Godchaux's building.

Internment List

ST. JOSEPH

CATHOLIC

CEMETERY

______________________

In 1825 St. Joseph Church

purchased the property for

a graveyard. Remains of some

of Baton Rouge's first settlers

were moved here from the

old Spanish Cemetery, or

cemetery of the Church of

Our Lady of Sorrows, which

became St. Joseph's. Philip

Hicky, Adrien Persac, and

Theophile Allain are among

prominent Louisianians buried

here. The Catholic Diocese

of Baton Rouge owns

the cemetery.

Notes on the names mentioned on plaque:

Colonel Philip Hickey, owned a Sugar Plantation named Hope Estate five miles below Baton Rouge on the left bank of the Mississippi.

Marie Adrien Persac, a Louisiana Artist

Theophile Allain, born a mulatto* slave, after emancipation he helped start Southern University.

Planter, Francois Allain...is remembered principally by the remarkable reputation achieved by one of his slaves; the bright, intelligent, good-looking mulatto born on his place, who was named Theophile, but called by his master "Soulouque," after the Haitian hero. He was his master's factotum (a general servant or a person having many diverse activities or responsibilities.), accompanying him everywhere (even to Europe). After emancipation, Soulouque, as his talents demanded, quit menial service and entered the brilliant arena of politics, at that tune opened to the negro. He rose easily above his contemporaries, whom he dominated by his intellect and fine address. He was elected State Senator; and, at Baton Rouge, further distinguished himself as a parliamentarian and a speaker.

* a person having one Black and one White parent.

Historical Baton Rouge Hotels

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Fri, 20 May 2011 17:11:00 -0500

[FYI: If you are looking to book a hotel room you have come to the wrong place.]

Data on the following hotels are sparse to me, I will chronological these hotels in order when I can put a date on them.
Only two of the historical hotel buildings exist today (to my knowledge) and are used as hotel's, the Hilton and the Indigo.

BATON ROUGE HOTELS [Historic Hotels (all destroyed but the last two)]

Madame Legendre's Hotel (hear Legendre pronounced) In 1825 she owned the town's largest inn. Source.

City Hotel (on Lafayette St., circa 1861)

Harney House Hotel, (Lafayette and Main streets, built in the 1840s, lost by fire in the 20th century).

Grand Capitol Hotel, renamed the Grouchy Hotel

Grouchy Hotel, (grew-SHAY), renamed the Louisian Hotel.

Louisian Hotel, renamed from Grouchy Hotel, it existed until the mid-20th century.

Istrouma Hotel, built at Third and Florida Streets in 1904, managed by Alex Grouchy and Son. It had 5 floors and contained 90 rooms. An annex built in 1924 also contained 90 rooms. The Fire Department order the 90 rooms of the old part shut down due to fire hazards.
http://ref-raff.wikispaces.com/Baton+Rouge+-+Hotels+-+Old+Istrouma+Hotel

Mayer Hotel, said to have been at 214 Third St., founded by Buffington S. Mayer, he was also one of the founders of the Istrouma Hotel.

Mayfield Hotel, (Third St.)

Union Hotel, (opposite the old Court House, possibly 4th St.).

Verandah Hotel, c1830s, Third & Laurel Streets; operated by the Lorente family Source

Wax Hotel, (unsubstantiated).

Heidelberg Hotel, now Hilton Hotel, About link

King Hotel, now Indigo Hotel,

[More to come if when ever I learn more.]

Confederate statue taken down

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 21:03:00 -0500

Statue of the "East and West Baton Rouge Parishes Confederate Soldiers" Memorial. Remained on the medium of North Blvd. at 3rd Street for 125 years.

Recently, this old statue of a Confederate Soldier was taken down. It use to sit atop a cement base with steps until the base began to crumble and they replaced the statue on this unworthy base. It was taken down for the construction of the new "Baton Rouge Town Square" and It will eventually be installed onto the Old State Capitol grounds beside the "Merci Railroad Boxcar" (additional link). For now it is at DPW on Chippewa St.

The original base with statue was erected in honor of the veterans of the Civil War from East and West Baton Rouge Parishes. It was dedicated by Governor John McEnery (Jan. 13,1873-May 22, 1873).

[Note: McEnery was not allowed to finish his term as it was illegal for Democrat's in Louisiana to be elected under Federal reconstruction edicts until the Federal troops left Louisiana in 1877. Reason being Democrats was made up in part by White supremacy (old South); Republicans being the anti-slavery party.]

See main post on statue and close-up photos of statue:

UPDATE: The preserving of the statue was put to a vote parish wide, and it was elected to be preserved on the Old State Capital Building grounds. The Town Square is completed (the reason why the statue was taken down in the first place), but I went down town to see it, expecting it to be installed, but it was nowhere to be seen, unless the Executive Branch of Parish Government vetoed the election to save it.

Magnolia Cemetery Slideshow

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 03:20:00 -0500

If someone wanted to get a glimpse of Magnolia Cemetery in detail and get a sense of past Baton Rougeans long gone, I just found a really nice slide-show that might do that and I think that it deserves a post of its own instead of just placing the link in my link list.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/smailtronic/sets/72157600055147841/show/

Civil War Provost Marshal's jail and Hospital of the Union Army Beneath Old State Capitol.

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Thu, 7 Apr 2011 01:44:00 -0500

Recently, I was asked by the Director of the Old State Capitol Building to go to the ground floor of the Old State Capitol Building beneath the main floor as you walk in. I wanted to go to see the place where the Union forces which was occupying Baton Rouge had a place for the Surgeon to perform surgery and the Union Provost Marshal had a jail.

My guide told me as we passed a room, "This is where they had their hospital". Then we proceeded to the jail area.

During one of their renovations of the Old State House they accident broke through a brick wall, what they found was amazing. They found a jail cell with Civil War era artifacts, which they left intact. I could see the ragged edge of the old brick wall that was broken into. A steel door resembling a old steel jail door (solid not bars) was put in place in the wall that was broken into with two sliding doors, one for adults and one for children to look into. There is a projection of a ghost prisoner that appears and disappears.

Federal Provost jail cell beyond door with two viewers. Notice the ragged brick wall that was broken into, it must have been erected long ago to close off that jail cell after the occupation. I know the door looks wooden but it seemed iron when I was there. Either my photography is going bad or my camera, my latest photos has been out of focus.

Actual Civil War Provost Jail with ghost-like projection.

As a compiler of Baton Rouge History and one that loves history so much I felt so privileged to be there. nothing could compare to the excitement I felt in being there.

The plaque reads: This mysterious jail cell was discovered when a brick wall was accidentally demolished during recent renovations. The cell is believed to have been used by the office of Provost Marshal, which was the law enforcement arm of the occupying Union Army during the Civil War. In 1862 the Provost Marshal used the State House as headquarters and used some parts of the building to hold prisoners for civil offenses and anti-Union activities.

The cell remains exactly as it was found. The objects have been identified as authentic to the Civil War Era, but little is know beyond that...

Last part of the plaque is in reference to the ghost-like projection.

I apologize for my camera flash in this photo, but maybe this plaque will add to this post.

DUTIES OF THE PROVOST MARSHAL

The duties of the Confederate field provost marshals mirrored quite closely those of their Federal counterparts. The provost marshal's responsibilities (both Confederate and Federal) were the following:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

- Suppression of marauding an depredations, and of brawls and disturbances, preservation of good order, and suppression of disturbances beyond the limits of the camps.

- Prevention of straggling on the march.

- Suppression of gambling houses, drinking houses, or barrooms, and brothels.

- Regulation of hotels, taverns, markets, and places of amusement.

- Searches, seizures, and arrests.

- Execution of sentences of general courts-martial involving imprisonment or capital punishment.

- Enforcement of orders prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors.

- Deserters.

- Countersigning safeguards.

- Passes to citizens within the lines and for purposes of trade.

- Complaint of citizens as to the conduct of soldiers.

- Confiscation of contraband.

- Prisoners of war.

- Intelligence.

- Passports for travel.

- Arrest of "Draft-dodgers" and men who were "AWOL".

Source

George Washington Statue Stolen by Federal Troops in Baton Rouge in 1862.

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:30:00 -0500

In 1848 the State of Louisiana commissioned famed sculptor Hiram Powers, of 19th century notoriety, to create a full-length statue of the likeness of George Washington which took six years to complete in Powers studio in Italy.

Image Link: Powers' bust of Washington (ca. 1838–44), made in preparation for sculpting our full-length statue.

During the occupation of Federal (Union) troops in Baton Rouge a decision was made that the statue should be removed from Baton Rouge (from the South), to keep the Rebels from vandalizing it.

"Louisianans were enraged by this, but powerless to stop its transfer. One prominent citizen called the act, "...the most outrageous act of spoliation that ever made an American cheek tingle with shame."" Source [Parenthesis added]

They shipped the statue to Washington DC via New Orleans and New York City.

Account of the theft of the George Washington statue by federals from the Old State House, Baton Rouge, 1862. Account here:

Many thanks, for the helpful info above, to: civilwarbuff.org

and to arkansasties.com

"Statues have come and gone — most notably that of George Washington, now housed at the State Capitol..." Source Note: If that is true it has to be a replacement as the original was destroyed.

~~*~~

Also at the time of the occupation of Baton Rouge by the Union the state legislative library was housed in the State House which comprised of 7,000 books, some manuscripts, and maps. Some material was stolen by the North and brought to Wisconsin, among which were the French and Spanish archival records of the various colonies of Louisiana -- Our History.

Early State Library located in the Old State House

Source

And thanks to louisianagenealogyblog.blogspot.com for bringing it my attention.

Wisconsin Historical Society returned some of the

material taken from State House.

Source at below web site:
Many thanks to louisianagenealogyblog.blogspot.com

"Greenwell Springs Road" house

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 18:21:00 -0600

HOUSE ON GREENWELL SPRINGS ROAD

This house sat well outside the city limits for most of it's existence.
I don't believe this is antebellum, I am thinking turn of the century to 1920s.

I have no knowledge of architecture at all, I have though payed more attention to the steps in trying to guess an age of this house (notice the extremely wide and low "rails" of the steps (if they can be called that).

I would love to see this house to be maintained, but it isn't my call.
The owner houses his migrant workers here.
I made attempts through the workers to get the owner to contact me to no avail.
I will drive by to get an address off the mailbox on the street.

Great Oaks Plantation House

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 18:01:00 -0600

GREAT OAKS PLANTATION HOUSE

910 N. Foster Drive

The stately manor was built on an old Spanish Land Grant, it is now a B & B.
400-year-old live oaks creates a picturesque setting.

Carl Weiss House

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:36:00 -0500

Site of the home of Dr. Carl Weiss

and Mrs. Yvonne Louise (Pavy) Weiss and son, Carl Austin Weiss Jr.
Across street from 430 Lakeland Drive in Baton Rouge.

No one could have lived closer to the Capitol Building than the Weiss's, he might have frequented the building often and the legislator's probably all knew him by sight.

In 1933, Dr. Weiss married the former Yvonne Louise Pavy of Opelousas.
The couple had one son, Dr. Carl Austin Weiss, Jr. (born 1934). Source

The, white, foundation wall of the demolished 'La Dept. of Insurance Building' behind the sign is causing the strange effect (if you noticed the sign appears to leap off the photo) on the lower part of the sign.

Dr. Carl Weiss

By 1935 Weiss was the best known ear, nose and throat surgeon in Louisiana.
Dr. Weiss was described as "unassuming, successful, family-rooted, apolitical".
Other than the sign, I will not taint his name here as he has not been proven guilty.

"LOUISIANA: Death of a Dictator" NY Times, Monday, Sep. 16, 1935

His body was exhumed on October 29, 1991, from Roselawn Cemetery, for forensic evaluation, fifty-six years after the event, and never returned to Roselawn. Source

...the body of Carl Weiss, the doctor who allegedly shot Huey Long and was then mowed down by Long’s bodyguards fifty-six years ago, is also going to be exhumed for examination (1991). There are persons who believe that someone in Huey’s entourage shot him and that the guards either went berserk or by prearrangement gunned down a patsy on whom to pin the shooting. The idea is to check the position and angle of Weiss’s wounds for whatever light this might shed on his location at the crucial moment. Source Parenthesis added

::::Doubts persist of Weiss's guilt or innocence::::
Was he a convenient scapegoat, or was he an assassin.
On this post I will consider Weiss just a mild-mannered E.N.T. Physician, innocent until proven guilty, but the preponderance of motive is not in he favor.
I do not seek to convict men in the court of public opinion, but to just state historical facts.

Video: The Assassination of Huey Long

The movie, "All the King's Men (2006) was based on the political life of Huey P. Long.

Blog Email:

The Baton Rouge Municipal Dock - 1920s

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 14:40:00 -0500

In the early 1920s, the need became apparent for a public docking facility to handle cargo for smaller shippers and port users. By 1926, the Baton Rouge Municipal Dock had been completed at a cost of $550,000. It was located on the east bank of the Mississippi adjacent to the present I-10 bridge. (The structure can still be seen today) This new facility enabled ocean-going vessels to off-load heavy cargo onto barges for upriver transport, or to rail for inland shipment through Baton Rouge. Source

Most people in Baton Rouge are oblivious of the 1920 era 'Municipal Dock' located just South of the newer Mississippi river bridge (East bank), the dock was the first improvement from the Baton Rouge Wharf. Before the levees was built, the Baton Rouge wharf allowed steam boats, military ships, and flat boats to pull up next to the bank. The steam boat received and delivered passengers and bales of cotton while the navy boats received coal for their boilers. Source unknown, may be my own words.

Personal comment:
When I first started researching Baton Rouge, I walk out on the dock of the Municipal Dock and I saw phone booths (no phones) I had to learn the name and history of the dock. Since then, I believe, some metal roofing was stolen. I went out there again in late Summer of this year ('10) to refresh my memory and to see what remains of what I saw. Since my first visit it had been chained up, ere before my last visit someone has busted through, so I began to walk. After I walked a few yards I saw that the sheet metal flooring of the catwalk has became rusted and in some spots I could see right through it, so I didn't venture further as it would have been too dangerous.

Pier and Beam Foundation

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:19:00 -0500

Recently when I was roaming the Internet I stumbled across a very good commentary on the history of a particular structural type in Louisiana in a comment from a Realtor, it was on "Pier and Beam" foundation, she graciously gave permission to post that comment and she sent me a photo (subject of comment) that is a fine example of the structural type. I thought it was entertaining history trivia.

"Pier and Beam foundation here in Louisiana, started not just for flooding, but to keep the homes cool in the extreme heat and humidity. The raised floor allows a breeze to travel under the home. Many of these structures have insulation under the home to keep the floor from being freezing cold on your feet in winter. It's also why area rugs became popular decor here in the South. Another function of the raised floor was to minimize "critters" from entering the home." -Ann Dail

Credit:

Ann Dail, Broker/Owner

Baton Rouge Area Homes, LLC

http://www.batonrougeareahomes.com/

Example of Pier and Beam Foundation

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Battle of Baton Rouge

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 08:33:00 -0500

By Daniel F. O'Connell

Excerpt teaser:
FROM THIRD PARAGRAPH IN PRELUDE:

MG Van Dorn (CSA) was anxious to mount an attack on the Louisiana capital but the second effort against Vicksburg had stalled his plans. As the Union army and navy threatened the city Van Dorn began to think of the attack on Baton Rouge as a means to draw Federal troops away from Vicksburg. Accordingly, he contacted BG Daniel Ruggles to ascertain the size of the Union garrison at Baton Rouge and an estimate of what might be needed to take the city. Ruggles commanded the only other significant Confederate force in the region, a small division located at Camp Moore.

On July 10th Ruggles reported to Van Dorn that he had 1500 men and one battery ready and if he had an additional battery and 3500 troops he could liberate the capital city. In the days following this report Ruggles received intelligence that suggested the Union garrison had been reinforced by 2200 troops that were being brought up from New Orleans to begin operations against Madisonville, Louisiana. When these reports were forwarded to Van Dorn he had no choice but to delay the planned offensive again. [parenthesis added]

Read more here

BG = Brigadier General
MG = Major General

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Williams Baptismal Font

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 05:09:00 -0500

WILLIAM FAMILY GIFT OF THANKS - BAPTISMAL FONT

This granite baptismal font was given to the St. James Episcopal Church, 208 N. 4th St, by the family of Brig. General Thomas Williams commanding officer of the occupying Union forces of Baton Rouge, 1862, in appreciation for their kind treatment of Williams when he was mortally wounded and later in his burial [excerpt from a book], in the Battle of Baton Rouge Williams was shot through the chest at killed. His remains were taken back to Detroit, where they were laid to rest in Detroit's Elmwood Cemetery. General Williams attended St. James during his time in Baton Rouge. I guess it was a matter of the church body taking care of a parishioner. After General Thomas Williams was slain the name of the U.S. Army Post (from garrison to today's only remaining powder magazine) was renamed Fort William.

While the dead and wounded Union soldiers lay in the streets of Baton Rouge after the battle, crying for pain and water in the heat of August, so hot, thirsty, and hurting from their wound, the citizens had no mercy on them and they said the most inhuman and cruel things to them. At least they could have moved them into the shade and given them water, but after their commander ordered the burning of one third of the town (homes and businesses) to have a better line of fire for the gun boats I guess they couldn't find mercy in their hearts to forgive.

I searched for the font because I had read about it, so I was glad to have found it in St. James church. It's still there and they still use it. The church that first used the font was a previous existing building, because the beautiful church facility in use today was only build in 1995.

I want you to catch the great historical significance of this granite font - it was given to a Civil War era church in Baton Rouge, by the Williams family of New York State (I believe) because the good clergy and people of the church cared for an attendee to their church (Williams), in life (wounded), and in death, namely, the commanding General of the U.S occupying forces in Baton Rouge, and it is still there and in use (different church building though). See post on St. James Episcopal Church here.

IN MEMORIAM

THOMAS WILLIAMS

MAJOR 5TH US ARTILLERY

BRIG GENERAL US VOL

DIED

BATON ROUGE

AUG 5

1862

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Comments from viewers.

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 05:05:00 -0500

SOME WONDERFUL COMMENTS ABOUT THIS SITE

This is so cool! BR is so rich in history. Thank you for maintaining a blog that is very much worth the reading.

I found this site using Google And I want to thank you for your work. You have done really very good site. Great work, great site! Thank you!

We're missing your new updates. Have you retired your blogging pen? Keep up the good work, we miss the great articles.

Thanks, for showing our history.

There's always interesting info. Here.

Great site and info! Keep on posting the great photos and history!

I just discovered this blog today and as a long time BR resident and history buff I am really enjoying it. Keep up the good work.

My sister told me about this blog and I have had a delightful time "wandering through BR". So many of these pictures bring back good memories.

THANKS FOR THESE WONDERFUL COMMENTS

I love feedback

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Battle of Baton Rouge 146 years

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Fri, 6 Aug 2010 08:17:00 -0500

146th Anniversary: Battle of Baton Rouge

AUGUST 5,1862

Yesterday, August 5, was the 146th anniversary of the battle of Baton Rouge. It was on August 4th that 2200 troops under the command of Brigadier General John C. Breckinridge CSA moved his men from the Comite River to positions no further in town than Magnolia Cemetery. Breckinridge was waiting for the ram 'Arkansas to arrive in Baton Rouge via the Mississippi River from Vicksburg Ms.

The ram never arrived, it had engine trouble on leaving Vicksburg and about 4 miles from Baton Rouge it was finished and the skipper and men abandoned ship.

While the confederates was waiting on the ram, the partisan rangers (of which two were my ancestors) accompanying the regulars took it upon themselves, or really their leader Colonel James H, Wingfield decided to run recon (check out enemy positions). Enemy pickets (watchers on the perimeter) spotted the rangers and opened fire. The partisan rangers on mounts hurried for confederate lines, when the regular confederate line saw them, they thinking it was the enemy opened fire. A regular General and others were killed in the fray.

The attack was on, both teams on full alert and battle ready. Confederates had the gravestones and tomes for cover, it is said that mini ball pits are still visible in the cemetery markers. The Confederates pushed the Federals back to the Mississippi River, but when the Rebels got within cannon shot of the gun boats and there was a spotter on top of the Old State Capital communicating the Confederates location to Admiral Faraguts' fleet the forces with Breckinridge had no other recourse but to withdraw to the Comite River in defeat.

The 27th annual Confederate commemorative ceremony at beautiful Magnolia Cemetery.

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Old Baton Rouge "City Market"

ronnie.owens@gmail.com (Ronnie Owens) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:53:00 -0500

City Market Bell

This bell is from the Old Baton Rouge City Market, the bell is presently located at Magnolia Mound Plantation on Nicholson Drive.

Plaque beneath bell

A major center of activity was in the old Baton Rouge Market. The market was first located on North Boulevard at the south end of Third Street and later, in 1854, moved to the site of the existing Municipal Building, St. Ferdinand and North Boulevard.

Although the major business of the market was to sell meats and produce during the hours of 2 a.m. until 8 a.m., the market also served coffee and doughnuts at all hours, thus attracting a crowd eager for the latest political and social news. In addition the old market was used for all-night dances on special holidays. Source

Luminary

Shown above are three cast-iron columns of the old city market, this luminary is at City Park, there are two luminaries in the park using six columns. There were a total of 12 columns that La. State U. acquired and put to use on the old carousel pavilion.

Sign beneath luminary

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