Manuscript Resources on Baton Rouge History

Baton Rouge Civil War images, 1863. 3 items. Location: E:73. Three images (cartes-de-visite) taken in Baton Rouge during the Civil War: an African-American male in a wagon pulled by mules; a military encampment (possibly Pikes Hall); and a tree-lined street (Garrison Lane). The first is by McPherson and Oliver, and the other two are probably their work as well. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 3272.

Baton Rouge Community Concerts Association. Records, 1931-1983. 0.5 linear ft., 3 printed volumes. Location: OS:B, UU:197. Records, chiefly printed materials, document the activities of the Baton Rouge Community Concerts Association. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 4592.

Baton Rouge Council on Human Relations. Records, 1965-2000. 1.5 linear feet. Location: W:123-124. Minutes, newsletters, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and committee records document the activities and concerns of the Baton Rouge Council on Human Relations, a non-profit civic organization created in 1965 that promoted racial desegregation and better race relations by counteracting prejudice and discrimination based on religion or ethnicity. Concerned specifically with the Baton Rouge community. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 4813.

Baton Rouge Foreign Mission Association. Scrapbook, 1877. 1 ms. Vol. Scrapbook compiled by Cecil H. Hackney, president of the Baton Rouge Foreign Mission Association. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 2087.

Baton Rouge Garden Club. Records, 1938-1989. 4 linear ft. Location: 51:. Club organized in 1928 by members of the Baton Rouge Civic Association. It sponsors flower shows, lectures, courses in flower arranging and gardening, and civic beautification projects. Records include nine scrapbooks of newspaper clippings, programs, award ribbons, and other materials, for the years 1938-1941, 1952-1963, 1969-1971, and 1981-1983. Additional materials pertain to flower shows, awards, and study groups. A typescript of the club's history from 1929-1989, compiled by Beulah E. Bates, is included. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 4191.

Baton Rouge Gas Light Company. Record books, 1859-1874. 2 vols. Location: M:15. One volume is a register of subscribers to the Baton Rouge Gas Light Company's capital stock for 1859. The other volume contains business papers (1859-1864, 1871-1874) generated or received by the company. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 992.

Baton Rouge German Benevolent Association. Dance program, 1881 January 3. 1 printed item. Location: E:Imprints. Program of the Fifteenth Anniversary Ball of the Baton Rouge German Benevolent Association listing floor managers, dances, and composers. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 3243.

Baton Rouge Gilbert & Sullivan Society. Programs and brochures, 1978-1994. .2 linear ft. Location: E:38. Organized in Baton Rouge in 1976, the Baton Rouge Gilbert & Sullivan Society presented its first production in April 1977. It is sometimes referred to as the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Baton Rouge. Programs of performances and brochures. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 4611.

Baton Rouge Little Theater, Inc. Programs and brochures, 1981-1995. 1 linear ft. Location: E:3. Little Theater group organized in Baton Rouge in 1946. Programs of both regular season productions and summer musicals, and miscellaneous brochures. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 4614.

Baton Rouge Opera. Programs, 1983-1991. 6 items. Location: N:28. Opera founded in 1981, governed by the Board of the Baton Rouge Opera Company, and financed through private donations. Programs. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 4654.

Baton Rouge Sacred Music Society. Program, 1845. 1 item. Location: E E:Imprints. Program for the first concert of the Baton Rouge Sacred Music Society, which was held at the Presbyterian Church. A. R. Fuertes, director, and William McCaughey, secretary, are listed as officers. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 893.

Baton Rouge Scenes, c. 1920-1930. 14 items. Location: 111:1. Picture cards of various scenes from Baton Rouge, La., including the capitol building and Louisiana State University. For further information see online catalog. Mss. 4999.

Baton Rouge Transportation Company. Records, 1916-1919, 1935-1943. 2 ms. vols. Location: F:3. Log books of Baton Rouge ferry boats Hazel and City of Baton Rouge. The early volume records a few local items, the weather, and river conditions. The second volume contains entries for routine fire drills and inspection of equipment. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 2388.

Beauregard House Association program, 1932. 1 item. Location: E:Imprints. Program for the play 'An Old Romance' by Grace King, presented by the New Orleans Beauregard House Association. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 1834.

Bechtold, John Adam. Photographs, 1909 - 1950s. 1 linear foot. Location: 10:43. John Adam Bechtold was an executive of the Standard Oil Company of Louisiana and amateur photographer. He documented the establishment of the company in Baton Rouge in two photograph albums and collected approximately 135 loose photographs. Images include the early days of Standard Oil of Louisiana’s operation in Baton Rouge as well as scenes of everyday life in Baton Rouge. Mss, 5175.

Beck's Studio. LSU campus photographs, 1938. 17 items. Location: 6:23. Photography business established in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, ca. 1937. 17 black and white photographs of the campus of LSU, Baton Rouge, taken in 1938. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 2755.

Belcher, Eric. Collection, 1948, circa 1962-1973. 1 picture postcard, 2 mailing envelopes. Location: MISC:B. Picture postcard of Earl K. Long with notations on verso, written possibly by Blanche Long and Earl K. Long. Notations designate postcard as an invitation to Earl K. Long's inaugural ball. Mailing envelopes have the letterhead of Orleans Parish district attorney Jim Garrison printed on them. Mss. 5338.

Belcher, Fred, 1913-, interviewee. 1 sound cassettes (1 hour), transcript (69 p.). Location: L:4700.0721. Fred and Helen Belcher are the son and daughter-in-law of Arthur and Corrie Belcher, founders of the Volunteers of America in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Interview describes the Salvation Army and Volunteers of America with a focus on the community programs and projects including prison ministry, work with the African American community, New Orleans maternity home, the role of VOA in adoptions, and Hanson's Disease Center at Carville, Louisiana. They also discuss the racial composition of South
16th St., role of religion in the VOA, 1920s automobiles, and the flood of 1927. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 4700.0721.

Belew, Louise E. Letters and writings, 1961-1969, undated. 12 letters, 1 article. Location: MISC:B. Resident of Baton Rouge, La. and New Orleans, La.; Korean war veteran; and student at the Louisiana State University (LSU) Graduate School of Library Science. Letters document Belew's ongoing feuds and criticisms that she had with staff of the LSU Library, the LSU Graduate School of Library Science, and the New Orleans Public Library. Mss. 2625.

Bellemont Hotel. Collection, 1973-1992 (bulk 1980-1992), 1.5 linear feet. Location: UU:58-59, OS:B. The Bellemont Motor Hotel was a plantation-style hotel and convention center on Airline Highway in Baton Rouge, LA. The hotel was built in 1946 by developer A. C. Lewis and his partner, Jamar Adcock. The collection consists of hotel office files with information on advertising, rates and listings, guest services, staff and employees, invoices and service agreements, hotel inventories, promotional plans, and other documents relating to the hotel’s operation. Mss. 5219.

Bennett, Harry Jackson, 1904-. Papers, 1942-1973, undated 3 linear ft. Location: 7:67-69. Professor of zoology at LSU and director of the LSU Marine Laboratory on Grand Isle. Professional papers consist of correspondence, proposals, reports, photographs, and other materials pertaining to the LSU Marine Laboratory; and materials pertaining to oyster bed surveys conducted by Bennett along the Louisiana Gulf Coast. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 2948.

Biggs, General. Baton Rouge Arsenal Commandant's House Drawing, 1857-1858. 1 item. Location: E:65, vault:1. Original drawing and photographic reproduction of the commandant's house at the Baton Rouge Arsenal in Baton Rouge, La. Original is inscribed on back with "… done by General Biggs." For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 4183.

Bolton, George W. and Mimi. Papers, 1915-1992. 2.25 linear ft. Location: 4:27-28, G:21, OS:B. Literary authors. Mimi Bolton was also a graphic and fine artist. Manuscript writings, correspondence, photographs, and printed items document the personal lives and literary careers of George and Mimi Bolton and Mimi's career as a graphic artist. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 4653.

Boudreaux, C. Dreaux. Papers, 1972, 1974. 3 items. Location: Misc.:B, OS:B. Resident of Baton Rouge. Papers include a proposal for the establishment of an aviation museum in Patterson, Louisiana, and bound copies of correspondence, clippings, pictures, and other items relative to Boudreaux's research on the history of the Wedell-Williams Air Service. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 3236.

Bower, Garner and Harrison. Papers, 1863-1888 (bulk 1863-1868). 0.25 linear ft. Location: E:51. New Orleans commission merchants. Letters of New Orleans, Louisiana commission merchants to a member of the firm at Baton Rouge, Louisiana (1863) and Natchez, Mississippi (1864-1868). Additionally, there is a receipt book (1866-1867). At the end of the volume are loose financial items (1869-1888). For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 1388.

Bowers, Laura Boddie Jones. Papers, 1906-1990, undated (bulk 1931-1955). 3.25 linear ft. Location: E:119-121. Librarian in Louisiana. Primarily correspondence documenting the family life, student life, and early career of Bowers in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Natchitoches, Louisiana. Newspaper clippings, notes, post card collection, printed items, and a scrapbook are also present. For further information see online catalog. Mss. 3546.

Boyd, David French. Letter, 1873. 4 items. Location: MISC:B. Letter (May 15, 1873) and envelope from Boyd to E. G. Randolph, thanking him for a gift of military books. Boyd also mentions mismanagement of state affairs in Louisiana and "Radicalism." Included with the letter are two circulars describing facilities at Louisiana State University and soliciting contributions to the University. Mss. 3219.

Boyd, David French. Papers, 1833-1934 (bulk 1860-1899). 9 linear ft., 10 microfilm reels. Location: D:12-19, MF.MSS:B, OS:B, MAP CAGE: DRAWER 34 (BACK WALL). Confederate officer, president of the Seminary of Learning at Alexandria, Louisiana, and president and professor at Louisiana State University (1884-1886). Papers contain correspondence, including correspondence with William T. Sherman; writings about Civil War figures; academic papers; photographs; financial papers; and printed items. Manuscript volumes consist of school notebooks; memorandum books; diaries, including a Civil War diary; morning reports from Kentucky Military Institute and Locust Dale Academy; and a minute book of the Demosthenian Society. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 40, 99, 794, 890, 893, 1400, 1612, 4234.

Boyd, David French. William T. Sherman letters (part of the David French Boyd papers), 1859-1891. 0.3 linear ft., 1 microfilm reel. Location: U:179, MSS.MF:B, Vault:26. Civil War officers, educators. Letters refer to higher education, political issues, rights of freedmen, Ku Klux Klan activities, and the jetty system in New Orleans. Civil War letters concern Boyd's imprisonment. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 890, 893, 3362.

Boyd, Leroy Stafford. Papers, 1806-1955 (bulk 1900-1936). 12.25 linear ft., 50 volumes. Location: 65:12; 79:71-73; D:55-63; 79:71-73; OS:B; R:12-16; VAULT:1; VAULT:21; VAULT:40, VAULT MRDF 14, 22. Librarian for U.S. Interstate Commerce Commission. Correspondence, genealogical materials, photographs, printed items, and scrapbooks. Materials reflect the political environment; Boyd's political activities; his interest in Louisiana State University (LSU), General William T. Sherman, and his father, LSU President David F. Boyd; and his involvement with Kappa Alpha Fraternity. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 99.

Boyd, Thomas Duckett and Family. Papers, 1860-1966 (bulk 1872-1935). 6 linear ft., 29 volumes, 7 microfilm reels. Location: D:1-6, VAULT:2, OS:B, 145:57, MSS.MF:B. Younger brother of David French Boyd. Served as acting president of LSU upon David's resignation. Also served as the president of the State Normal School in Natchitoches. Papers are comprised of correspondence, financial papers, photographs, printed materials, and manuscript volumes. Also included is personal correspondence of Annie Fuqua Boyd and other family members. Photographs include those of Thomas Boyd, Annie Fuqua, and Governors Henry Fuqua and William H. Heard. Mss. 41, 241, 530, 744, 808, 893, 965, 1411, 1438, 1589, 1685, 1799, 1946, 2081, 2126, 2197, 2305, 2335.

Bradford, David, d. ca.1816. Family Papers, 1798-1882 (bulk 1833-1838). 50 items. Location: U:120. Planter of the Myrtles Plantation, Bayou Sara, West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana. Papers include Spanish land grants, surveys, plats, conveyances, appraisals, and mortgages for land owned by David Bradford and family, chiefly in West Feliciana and East Baton Rouge parishes. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 735.

Brady, James. Papers, 1971-2001 (bulk 1986-2000). 4 linear feet. Location: 10:61-63. James Brady (1944-2017) was a Louisiana lawyer, federal jurist and Democratic Party supporter. The James Brady Papers are comprised of legal documents from the 1986 Long v. Gremillion voting rights case, Democratic Party related materials, correspondence, and national convention materials from 1980-1996. It also includes application materials from his nomination by President Bill Clinton to a federal judgeship for the United States Federal District Court of the Middle District of Louisiana. Additionally, it includes campaign buttons and bumper stickers, photographs, and business cards. Mss. 5300.

Breaux, John B. Papers, 1933, 1938, 1963, 1970-2004 (bulk: 1987-2004). Approx. 781 linear feet . Location: Room B6, Map Cage, Vault:54. Correspondence, briefing books, bills, reports, testimony transcripts, research files, news releases, printed materials, audio-visual and electronic files, photographs and memorabilia documenting the political and U.S. Congressional career of Louisiana Representative (1972-1986) and Senator (1987-2004) John B. Breaux, and the work of his office. In addition to Senate and House files, contains materials related to his campaigns, the Democratic Party, and the Washington Mardi Gras. Topics include, among others, flood control, abortion, transportation, energy, the environment, taxes, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and healthcare, consumer protection, wetlands conservation, base closures in Louisiana, commerce, trade, and agriculture policy, especially for sugar and rice. For additional information, see the online catalog. Mss. 4922.

Breazeale, Elizabeth, 1919-, interviewee. Oral history interview, 1993. 1 sound cassettes (50 min.), transcript (35 p.), index (13 p.). Location: L:4700.0304. LSU alumnae and Kappa Gamma House board president. Breazeale describes her experiences as a student at LSU and a member of the Kappa Gamma Sorority. She describes LSU social life; women's clothing; layout and use of the Panhellenic Building; dormitory rules; ceremonies and traditions; the push for the construction of sorority houses; her thoughts on LSU today; and problems with the Legislature and university funding. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 4700.0304.

Breazeale, Nita Sims. Family Papers, 1811-1981 (bulk 1905-1943). 9.5 linear ft., 3 v. Location: 47:8-12, OS:B, N:9, 65:3, vault. Baton Rouge, La. resident. Papers relate to the Breazeale and Sims families of Baton Rouge, Donaldsonville, and Natchitoches, La. They consists of correspondence, legal documents, printed material, photographs, and artifacts related to World War I and World War II, Bundles for Britain, Inc., genealogy, and state and local history. For further information see online catalog. Mss. 2442.

Brian, Erastus F. Letterbook, 1897-1909. 25 items, 1 vol. Location: C:83, H:23. Resident of Baton Rouge. Letter press copybook of Erastus Francis Brian containing a few official letters as secretary treasurer of the Board of Pension Commissioners of Louisiana. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 1172.

Bridges, Tyler. Papers, 1882-2002 (bulk 1992-2000). 14.5 linear feet, 37 sound cassettes, 14 video cassettes. Location: UU:296-308, L:36, OS:B. Newspaper articles, interviews, and copies of court records and transcripts of wire taps compiled by journalist Tyler Bridges as research for his book, 'Bad Bet on the Bayou: The Rise of Gambling in Louisiana and the Fall of Governor Edwin Edwards.' For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 4899.

Brooks Read Brer Rabbit Collection, 1950-1991 (bulk: 1950-1959). Ca. 29 linear feet. Approximately 500 reel to reel audio recordings, scripts, phonographs, correspondence, and subject files of Brooks Read, Baton Rouge storyteller, journalist, and political observer. Materials relate to Read's recorded productions of his original Brer Rabbit stories, as well as a few select Uncle Remus stories of Joel Chandler Harris. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 4476.

Brooks, F. M. Bills, 1870, 1882, 1883. 3 items. Location: Misc.:B. Dr. F. M. Brooks, plantation and retail druggist of Baton Rouge. Bills from Dr. Brooks. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 2555.