Baton Rouge in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Merci Train

Photographed by Don Morfe, March 30, 2002

1. Merci Train Marker

Inscription. The Louisiana box car of the Merci Train from France expressing the gratitude of that nation presented by Consul General Lionel Vasse to Governor Earl K. Long on February 22, 1949, in appreciation of the generosity of the American people.

Dedicated on these grounds by the Old State Capitol Memorial Commission on June 12, 1949 by Drew Pearson. Fred G. Dent, Chairman; Harry P. Baham, V.C.; Albert R. Isenberg, Secy; George Wildes, Niles P. Evans

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, World I • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Merci Train Boxcars series list.

Location. 30° 26.816′ N, 91° 11.325′ W. Memorial is in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in East Baton Rouge Parish. It is on North Blvd.. The Louisiana Box Car of the Merci Train is on the grounds of the Old Louisiana State Capitol building. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 100 North Blvd, Baton Rouge LA 70801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Louisiana’s Florida Parishes. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Old State Capitol (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Merci Train (a few steps from this marker); Battle of Baton Rouge (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Old State Capitol

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Early Gunsmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Old State Capitol (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Old State Capitol (within shouting distance of this marker); Louisiana's Old State Capitol (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baton Rouge.

Other markers no longer nearby. Baton Rouge Confederate Monument (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Old State Capitol (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

More about this memorial. The Merci Train shows the appreciation of the French people to the American Veterans of World War I and World War II.

Merci Train and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, March 30, 2002

2. Merci Train and Marker

Louisana's Old State Capitol Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, March 30, 2002

3. Louisana's Old State Capitol Building

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2018. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,058 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 3, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.