Perhaps the most spellbinding structure in Louisiana sits right in the heart of downtown Baton Rouge, overlooking the Mighty Mississippi and captivating visitors from around the world. Louisiana’s Old State Capitol commands attention as an iconic castle on the river—one that both shouts with its distinctive grand architecture, and whispers with countless ornate details. Every corner of this bygone building illustrates the storied history of the Capital City and the politics that have shaped Louisiana.
With free entry for everyone and convenient hours (10 am–4 pm Tuesdays—Fridays and 9 am–3 pm Saturdays) Louisiana’s Old State Capitol is worth a trip back to rediscover the delightful details of this mainstay of Baton Rouge.
When he designed the structure in 1847, architect James Harrison Dakin noted his determination to ensure it wasn’t just a “copy” of other state capitol buildings, many of which mirror the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Dakin thought that layout, which included a dome in the middle and wings on either side, felt like a lifeless tomb. Dakin “came in with a little drawing and said he wanted it to be grand and commanding, and they chose him right then and there,” said Mary Durusau, executive director of Louisiana’s Old State Capitol.
Dakin's site plan
Dakin’s vision came to life when the building was completed in 1852, making Baton Rouge’s riverside fortress complete. The building reflects castellated gothic style, with exterior towers complemented by raised and lowered battlements around its exterior, giving it the look of a castle.
The grand and commanding qualities continue within, where visitors find elaborate details everywhere: ornate door hinges feature intricate bronzed scrollwork that reflects the sophisticated style of the 1800s. Marble floors adorn the entrance to rooms throughout, showcasing words etched into solid marble such as “secretary” and "governor" to reflect the various civic functions once served from the building.
In quintessential Louisiana style, legislators had access to booze as they conducted business in the Old State Capitol, courtesy of installed water tanks that were kept stocked with alcoholic beverages. Their usage was documented in the March 20, 1859 edition of Baton Rouge’s Weekly Gazette and Comet newspaper. “Every person acquainted with the process of modern law making is aware of the fact that liquor is indispensable… Whether this is right or wrong is another question, upon which there will be a difference of opinion to time’s end.”
Downstairs from the lawmakers’ chambers, visitors enter the building through gargantuan wooden entryway doors. Inside, tessellated floors featuring a geometric, black-and-white pattern and occasional imprints of fossils, lead to the stunning spiral staircase that unfurls to the second floor, where legislation was enacted into law for 80 years.
“If you look around the rotunda and see the structure that’s painted green and gold, it’s cast iron. It fits perfectly, and we couldn’t do it now if we tried. It’s amazing. It’s men and ropes and pulleys and sweat – that’s what put the building together,” Durusau said.
If you think you’ve already seen everything the Old State Capitol’s architecture has to offer, consider a second (or third, or fourth) visit to discover these and many more facets that give this building its exceptional flair. “It’s beautiful. It’s different, just like Louisiana is different. We aren’t a typical state,” Durusau says. “We are a gumbo of people: French, Spanish, Creole, Haitian, you name it, and this building reflects what a unique culture we have here.”
Learn more at louisianaoldstatecapitol.org/explore/about
