Europeans arrive
People from Europe arrived in the region in 1699 after an explorer called Sieur d'Iberville, who was leading an expedition along the Mississippi, found a reddish cypress pole that marked the boundaries between the hunting grounds of the Bayou Goula and Houma tribes. The expedition gave the area the name Baton Rouge, for the color of the stick.
The French influence
European settlement began in 1719, when the French established a military presence here. During this time, most agriculture and development was found in New Orleans, which became an important port for the French colony, which was known as ‘La Louisiane’. The French also settled at what is now Biloxi, Mississippi, and Mobile in Alabama. Since the early days, Baton Rouge has been under a number of flags; first the French and then the British, and after that the Spanish. Next, it was governed by Louisiana itself, then Florida, next the Confederacy, and finally the United States.
The area is so rich in history that the Baton Rouge Genealogical & Historical Society works to preserve it. The organization could work with brochure printers to create a booklet about this fascinating city.
The arrival of the Acadians
In 1755, the British drove many Acadians – French-speakers who had settled in the Canadian Maritime Provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island – into exile. Many of these exiles, known by most people as Cajuns, moved to rural Louisiana, bringing their rich culture with them, including their fabulous cooking and dynamic music.
Chefs in Baton Rouge could work with printing companies to create cookbooks featuring Cajun recipes, as well as information about the culture.
A growing city
The early to mid-1800s saw a steady growth in the city, thanks to improved transportation and, in particular, steamboat traffic on the Mississippi. In 1817, the city was incorporated, and designated the state's capital in 1849. The statehouse was designed by James Dakin, who decided against building another replica of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Instead, his capital building resembles a medieval cathedral, including stained class and turrets. It has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
The building's management could work with a flyer printing company to create handouts, delineating the site’s history for visitors to pick up for free.
Civil War disruption
During the Civil War, the Union occupied Baton Rouge, and the Confederates moved the capital, first to Opelousas and then to Shreveport. However, after the war the government of the state returned to Baton Rouge, where it has been ever since. Civil War historians might consider working with postcard printing companies to create a card that describes this shift. The card could be distributed in the capital, along with the Flyers.
Today's Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge today is a center for the petrochemical industry, and has a rapidly growing population. When companies open new locations, they need to work with Stationery printers to make sure their letterhead is attractive and contains information about their new location.Get a Free Quote for Stationery Get a Free Quote for Flyers