Welcome to West Baton Rouge

West Baton Rouge has long had a love affair with the Mississippi River. It was the Mississippi transportation route and the fertile
land adjacent to the river that drew the first settlers here almost 300 years ago. Today, West Baton Rouge's sweet location as a key transportation route in the heart of Plantation Country draws visitors from throughout the world.

Not only does West Baton Rouge offer an enticing view of plantation life and the ease and comfort of a smaller community,
it is also the perfect hub for day trips to all points of this region.

West Baton Rouge pays homage to its beloved waterway with a new Riverfront Development, complete with brick walkways, benches and spectacular views. Come stay with us - you'll love it here, too!

The rich heritage of West Baton Rouge
West Baton Rouge was first settled by Acadian exiles, who recognized the value of the Mississippi and the rich soil here. Largely an agricultural parish until the 1960s, the parish is now home to one of the largest deep-water ports in the world, along with major chemical and manufacturing corporations.

A major transportation route with Interstate 10, the Mississippi River bridges, La. Hwy. 1, and U.S. Hwy. 190 all running through the heart of the parish, somehow West Baton Rouge remains a quiet, rural community of friendly people.

Early land records date the parish to 1763 as part of the Louisiana Purchase territory. The Parish of West Baton Rouge was created in 1807 as part of the Territory of New Orleans. The river remains the dividing line between East and West Baton Rouge parishes.

Sugar cane farming was the predominant industry here with the early small plantations giving way to larger plantations of several hundred acres in the early 1800s. During that time most plantations had their own sugar mills.

West Baton Rouge includes four communities:
Port Allen, the seat of parish government; Brusly, Addis and Erwinville.