Baton Rouge in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
The Founding of "Red Stick"
How Baton Rouge Got its Name
August 5, 2016
1. The Founding of "Red Stick" Marker
Baton Rouge gets its name from the first impressions of French-Canadian explorers. Traveling up the Mississippi River in 1699, the group spotted a bloody cypress pole on a river bluff that demarcated hunting territories between indigenous tribes. The Territory was called Baton Rouge, which means "red stick."
Over the years, French, British and Spanish flags each flew over the community. By the 1780's, still under Spanish rule, Baton Rouge had flourished. Its first neighborhoods, Spanish Town and Beauregard Town were designed in 1805 and 1806. By then, the local population had grown substantially. The river continued to bring new commerce and visitors. In 1810, the area became part of the colonies and in 1817, the town was officially incorporated.
Images: Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur d'Iberville and Map courtesy of The Louisiana Collection, State Library of Louisiana.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 30° 26.721′ N, 91° 11.417′ W. Marker is in
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Johnny Rivers (here, next to this marker); Riverfront Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); The D'Artaguiette Concession (within shouting distance of this marker); Votes For Women (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); USS Kidd Veterans Museum & Ship (about 500 feet away); A-7E Corsair II (about 500 feet away); Louisiana Vietnam War Memorial (about 500 feet away); USS Kidd KIA Memorial (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baton Rouge.
Also see . . .
1. Bayougoula history. More about the "red stick" (Submitted on January 26, 2018.)
2. Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville. 64 Parishes website entry (Submitted on January 27, 2018.)
Additional commentary.
1. Baton Rouge name
A direct translation of "red stick" is Rouge Baton
— Submitted January 26, 2018.
August 5, 2016
2. The Founding of "Red Stick" Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2016. This page has been viewed 571 times since then and 97 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2016. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
