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

Third Street

"the principal street of the town..."

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, August 26, 2016

1. Third Street Marker

Inscription. By the turn of the twentieth century, Baton Rouge's Third Street had changed from a sleepy row of residences to a bustling commercial center. Because it connected the Old State Capitol with the original site of Louisiana State University (then located on today's State Capitol Grounds), Third Street drew crowds easily. Over the years, merchants, movie theaters, restaurants, and five-and-dimes all opened here, and everyone from students to business leaders frequented its blocks. Third Street was the center of window shopping and night life, and occasionally, bizarre events.

In 1921, Robbie Simpson, the "Human Fly," arrived in Baton Rouge and aimed to scale the city's tallest structure, Third Street's Roumain Building, "without the aid of rope or ladder." Simpson took one look at the building's exterior features and changed his mind, making it to the top by elevator instead. Once there, he succeeded in hanging over the side of the building by one hand, and riding his bicycle along the cornice as the crowd looked on.

Photos: The Louisiana Collection, State Library of Louisiana

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 30° 26.899′ N, 91°

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11.299′ W. Marker is in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in East Baton Rouge Parish. It is at the intersection of North Third Street and Convention Street, on the left when traveling north on North Third Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Baton Rouge LA 70802, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker 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: Bill Conti (here, next to this marker); St. James Episcopal Church (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Spanish Battery, 1779 (about 500 feet away); Old State Capitol (about 500 feet away); Caroline Durieux (about 500 feet away); Louisiana's Old State Capitol (about 500 feet away); Old Post Office (about 500 feet away); Merci Train (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baton Rouge.

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, August 26, 2016

2. Third Street Marker

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, August 26, 2016

3. Third Street Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2016. This page has been viewed 830 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 25, 2016, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.