Louisiana
Louisiana State Capitol
900 North 3rd Street | Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Louisiana State Flag (Flagpedia)
If you are from Texas like me, Baton Rouge, LA is typically the city you drive through on the way to New Orleans. Peeking in from downtown north of I-10 in Baton Rouge is the Louisiana State Capitol, the tallest in the United States and an absolute beauty.
If you can manage to escape the I-10 clown car traffic, I highly recommend stopping by; it’s very accessible with little difficulty parking given there was no session. Learn more about the Louisiana State Capitol or plan your visit.
After legendary governor Huey Long was elected in 1928, he argued a new capitol would be, per the nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places, “…a symbol of the continuity of the political domination of Louisiana's traditional social and economic elite over the State's fortunes.”
I think this is fancy speak for Huey wanted his own capitol. And he used brute force to ensure the reluctant State Legislature didn’t interfere with his plans.
Of course, some people are very powerful…until they’re not.
The House that Huey Built was also the place where he was shot near the Speaker’s Office in 1935; he died two days later in a nearby hospital. Long may have been successful at forcing his will, but he still could not outrun bullets. Let that be a lesson.
He is buried in the center of the Capitol Grounds under the monument to him. I had a peaceful walk around the Capitol Grounds before heading into the building. As you enter the capitol north of the Capitol Grounds, the Front Steps are engraved with the names of the U.S. states in order of admission to the Union.
To Long’s credit, he did build a beautiful building. The aesthetic centerpiece is the impressive Memorial Hall after you enter the building. It is two floors high and flanked to the left and right by the Louisiana Senate and House of Representatives chambers.
Head up to the 27th floor Observation Deck, which gives you views of the Capitol Grounds and downtown Baton Rouge to the south, as well as the Mississippi River to the west. There is also a small gift shop there called Shop at the Top.
If you have time, you can also stop at the Old State Capitol, which is now a museum.
Outside shot of the Louisiana State Capitol from the grounds.
Outside shot of the Louisiana State Capitol from the front. This is the tallest capitol building in the U.S.
Another great shot from the outside
From the beautiful Capitol grounds
The front steps are chiseled with the names of the U.S. states in order of admission. Naturally, I have Texas for you.
This is a statue of Huey Long, Governor of Louisiana. He was responsible for buildling this capitol buidling, was shot here (leading to his death) and is buried on the grounds.
Memorial Hall, which is at the entrance to the Louisiana State Capitol
Memorial Hall Flags (all of the flags that have flown over Louisiana)
Memorial Hall facing the House of Representatives
At the entrance to the Louisiana House of Representatives
Louisiana House of Representatives Chamber
Louisiana House of Representatives Chamber
The entrance to the Louisiana Senate
Louisiana Senate Chambers
Louisiana Senate Chambers
At the entrance to the observation deck listing movies filmed at the capitol
Baton Rouge from the observation deck
Baton Rouge from the observation deck
Baton Rouge from the observation deck