Manuscript Resources on Baton Rouge History
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was first discovered and named by the French explorer Iberville in 1699, almost three centuries ago. In the eighteenth century, it was ruled successively by the French, British, and Spanish. Incorporated in 1817, Baton Rouge became the state capital in 1849, though it lost that status during the Civil War and would not regain it until 1882.
This guide to manuscript resources on Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish, of which it is a part, includes a wide variety of materials on the history of the area, among them the papers of Baton Rouge families; the records of businesses and organizations; photographs; newspapers; maps; and oral histories. Although Louisiana State University has been a major part of Baton Rouge for many years, collections relating to LSU are included only if they also relate explicitly to Baton Rouge--for example, the papers of an LSU professor who was also active in community organizations and whose papers documented those organizations. Similarly, the papers of individuals in state government are not included unless they also relate explicitly to Baton Rouge.
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Baton Rouge funeral notices, 1884-1897. 142 items. Location: U:7. Funeral notices for persons being buried in Baton Rouge by families in the city, fraternal organizations, and families from the surrounding areas. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 643. Referenced in Guides: Baton Rouge
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Baton Rouge aerial views, ca. 1920s. 3 items. Location: E:. Photographs of taken from a rooftop near North Boulevard and Third Street First image looks southwest toward the Old State Capitol. Second image shows the intersection of Saint Louis Street and North Boulevard. Third image looks north along Third Street. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 3693. Referenced in Guides: Baton Rouge
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Baton Rouge post cards, undated 3 items. Location: E:. Three postcards of Baton Rouge and LSU. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 3726. Referenced in Guides: Baton Rouge, LSU
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Baton Rouge Arsenal. Papers, 1848-1927. 5 items [photostats]. Location: U:7. Plats and a survey from the late U.S. Surveyor General's Office, Louisiana, now a part of the records of the State Land Office. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 893. Referenced in Guides: Baton Rouge
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Baton Rouge Audubon Society. Records, 1962, 1974-1988 (bulk 1975-1988). 8 linear feet. Location: 109:35-38. Newsletters, brochures, newspaper clippings, correspondence, press releases, publicity information, by laws, and miscellaneous organizational records document the activities of the Baton Rouge Audubon Society (BRAS). Includes copies of the BRAS newsletter BARRED OWL (1975-1985), and numerous publicity and press releases pertaining to events and environmental awareness. Lists of the Christmas bird counts also included. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 4133. Referenced in Guides: Baton Rouge
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