5 Facts About Louisiana's Capital: How Well Do You Know Baton Rouge?

Louisiana’s capital city is conveniently located near New Orleans and other parts of the state, and is an ideal place to live if you prefer a warm climate. Here are five facts about Baton Rouge.

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1. Baton Rouge is home to the largest inland deepwater port located on the Mississippi River, also known as the Port of Greater Baton Rouge. The shipping channel has a 45-foot wide mouth that is maintained by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The port is linked to major ports between Florida and Texas through 15,000 miles of waterways.

The geographic location makes the capital city a hub of commercial and industrial activity. Four major freight rail lines also make Baton Rouge attractive to businesses.

2. People flock to Baton Rouge to buy homes because of a generous state homestead tax exemption. The city also boasts a low property tax.

In 2012, the city assessor expanded homestead tax benefits for veterans and their spouses. Special assessments for the elderly and those with an income of less than $70,484 provide the owners with the opportunity to have the assessed value frozen, possibly lowering tax obligations.

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3. Baton Rouge has a warm climate with a short-lived winter. The average daily temperature in the city is 66 degrees. The average daily high in the summer is 85 degrees. Drought conditions are not usually an issue in the city either as an average of 55 inches of precipitation falls each year. The climate makes the city ideal for those who like to enjoy the outdoors year-round.

4. Baton Rouge was named the state capital for the first time in 1846. When Louisiana seceded from the U.S. in 1861, the capital was moved to New Orleans. It was several years later, in 1882, that Baton Rouge was renamed the capital.

5. The Louisiana State Capitol is considered a National Historic Landmark. The structure was the idea of Gov. Huey Long, who was assassinated in the building in 1935. The capitol building stands 34 stories tall and construction took 29 months. The building was completed in 1932. Long is buried in the center of the Capitol Gardens with his grave marked with a statue. The Capitol Building is open to the public for tours and there is no fee for admission.

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