Oct 27, 2008
Oct 22, 2008
Nelson Potts House, late 1840's
This was the home of Nelson Potts,
19th century Baton Rouge, master brick mason and builder.
His home here, at 831 North Street, showcased his expertize in masonry in Baton Rouge in the 1800's. Potts designed, built, or bricked (his role is unclear to me) many, now historical, building in the 19th century, as follows:
The Florence House (1850), the Louisiana Institute for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind (1852-1858), the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail (1852), the Stewart-Dougherty House (1854), the East Baton Rouge Parish Court House (1856-58), and more. Source
Oct 21, 2008
Hurricane Gustav damaged Sweet Olive Cemetery
Hurricane Gustav took a heavy toll on Sweet Olive cemetery
~an Baton Rouge newspaper piece~
Click Here [embedded video]
~an Baton Rouge newspaper piece~
Click Here [embedded video]
Also, on April 2007, an out of control truck smashes through the brick and bar fence and destroys six tombs and three headstones.
As said on the video, Sweet Olive have tomb that date back to 1898 which makes it the oldest historically 'black' cemetery in Baton Rouge.
Oct 15, 2008
Pino House, c1823
House at 721 North Street
purchased by Antonio Pino in 1823.
Marker reads: Little cottage typical of the wood frame residences of early Spanish Town. Originally, the house was one room deep with galleries, front and rear. The original lot, 160 feet wide and extending from North Street to Spanish Town Road, was purchased by Antonio Pino in 1823 from Etienne, son of Don Carlos de Grand Pre, Spanish commandant at Baton Rouge.
Excerpt from the National Register of Historical Places for Spanish Town:
The Pino House at 721 North Street stands on property once owned by Stephen de GrandPre, one of the sons of Spanish Governor Don Carlos de GrandPre. The cottage-styled house in the Classical Mode is believed to have been built about 1823. Source
Steward-Dougherty House c1850
The house was scheduled for burning by Federal troops, until it was pointed out what an excellent hospital it would be and it was used as such. Source
Nat. Register Application Description
Nat. Register Application Description
Old Baton Rouge Post Office
Now, the 'City Club of Baton Rouge'
It's past usage has been the Post Office and
Federal Courthouse and later a Private Men's Club.
Federal Courthouse and later a Private Men's Club.
President Wm. Howard Taft is said to have spoken here at the post office according to one of my sources.
This building at 355 North Blvd. has a very ornate exterior in the Italian Renaissance style.
Oct 12, 2008
W. T. Grant Building / 25 cent chain store
In 1906 the first "W. T. Grant Co. 25 Cent Store" opened in Lynn, Massachusetts.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._T._Grant
Oct 10, 2008
Washington Firehouse No. 1 Fire Company 406 Fourth St. - Built 1850
(formerly Church St.)
(new facade on front, not original)
I was told by the, now, late Brace Godfrey, deceased partner of Cyntreniks, of which company that now occupy the building, that the lettering on the front were the original sign of the firehouse. I was also told that a facade was added to the front which disqualified it from being registered with the 'National Register of Historic Places'.
Mr. Godfrey showed me the old slide poll that the firemen slid down on; and the double French windows was where the bay was that housed the horse drawn fire fighting apparatus wagon.
By 1825, the town organized a volunteer fire fighting unit called The Bucket Company. The company's name tells how they fought fires - by bucket brigade. Eleven years later the Bucket Company evolved into the more highly organized Washington Fire Company Number One.
The building was used as the City Hall later and in the early 1900s as a public library instituted by the Daughters of the Confederacy. Source
Washington No.1 Voluntary Fire Company's firehouse was the Baton Rouge Area Foundation’s Headquarters from 1998 to 2003. Source
By 1825, the town organized a volunteer fire fighting unit called The Bucket Company. The company's name tells how they fought fires - by bucket brigade. Eleven years later the Bucket Company evolved into the more highly organized Washington Fire Company Number One.
The Washington Fire Company No. 1 enjoyed a long and useful firefighting life. All structures within Baton Rouge came under their protection, including the State Penitentiary... (Source for last two paragraph)
The building was used as the City Hall later and in the early 1900s as a public library instituted by the Daughters of the Confederacy. Source
Washington No.1 Voluntary Fire Company's firehouse was the Baton Rouge Area Foundation’s Headquarters from 1998 to 2003. Source
Excluding the Old State Capital building, Pentagon Barracks, and the Arsenal/Powder Magazine, the Washington Firehouse may be the oldest structure in Baton Rouge.
I found this firehouse by chance as I walked down 4th street, formerly Church Street, and I can't tell you my excitement, you'd have to love history as I do to understand, I had only learned of it before, but to actually find it, and that it wasn't destroyed, but it is perfectly intact -WOW!
The early Baton Rouge volunteer fire company was community active putting on such events as the 'Firemen Parade' with rides that they would decorate and put little girls on them. The firehouse horse that pulled the rides and fire fighting apparatus wagon is buried under 4th. street, it was off the street long ages ago, but the street widened.
VOLUNTEER FIRE CHIEFS Source
[The following list is verbatim as I received them.]
Samuel Hart, term 1875-1877
Robert Fairie, term 1877-1883
J. C. Favrot, term 1883-1891
Andrew Jackson, term 1893-1894
(possible owner the Andrew Jackson store, see sidebar for store photo.)
Austin Williams, term 1884-1901
R. A. Hart, (term unknown)
Irnee Pujol (term unknown)
[The following list is verbatim as I received them.]
Samuel Hart, term 1875-1877
Robert Fairie, term 1877-1883
J. C. Favrot, term 1883-1891
Andrew Jackson, term 1893-1894
(possible owner the Andrew Jackson store, see sidebar for store photo.)
Austin Williams, term 1884-1901
R. A. Hart, (term unknown)
Irnee Pujol (term unknown)
Jules Roux, (term unknown)
(Roux had a "tonsorial parlor" (a barber shop) on Third St.
Joseph Duncan (term unknown)
(possible namesake for two Duncan Building)
Hugh Waddill (term unknown)
(Possibly, Aid-de-camp, La. Div. U.S. Sons of Confederate Veterans;
Commandant, Henry Watkins Allen Camp, LA Division USCV) Source
King H. Strenzke, term 1917-1918
(Birth about 1885) Source
(possible namesake for two Duncan Building)
Hugh Waddill (term unknown)
(Possibly, Aid-de-camp, La. Div. U.S. Sons of Confederate Veterans;
Commandant, Henry Watkins Allen Camp, LA Division USCV) Source
King H. Strenzke, term 1917-1918
(Birth about 1885) Source
Oct 5, 2008
'Spanish-American War' Memorial at City Park Entrance
Located at west end of Perkins Road @ Park Blvd.
at entrance of City Park
IN MEMORIAM
U.S.S. MAINE
DESTROYED IN HAVANA HARBOR
DESTROYED IN HAVANA HARBOR
FEBRUARY 15TH 1898
Bottom line:
THIS TABLET IS CAST FROM MEDAL RECOVERED FROM THE U.S.S. MAINE
On Shield: PATRIOTISM - DEVOTION
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