Central City News

Hurricane Katrina was the worst tropical storm to hit Louisiana since the 1960’s but here in Central, the worst was Hurricane Gustav which hit Central in 2008, bringing winds of 90 miles an hour, very heavy rain, and flooding of the Comite River.  When Katrina and Gustav are compared, Gustav actually did 10 times more […]

The idea of incorporating the City of Central began at least as early as 1973 when the delegates to the Louisiana Constitutional Convention negated a provision of the City-Parish Plan of Government that prohibited the creation of any new cities in East Baton Rouge Parish.  But it wasn’t until Russell Starns and a hardy band […]

In May 1913, Pearl Elizabeth Felps walked to the podium as the valedictorian of the first graduating of the new Central High School, located at the corner of Canal (now Hooper) and Sullivan roads. A copy of her speech was discovered in 2009 and given to the Central City News. It is a timeless message […]

Can you or an organization you represent save the Old Central Girls Gym?  It may cost several hundred thousand dollars. The Central Community School System is currently advertising for the demolition of several buildings on the old Central Middle School site. One of the buildings is the Old Girls Gym.  Before the school board considers […]

150 Years Ago: Siege of Port Hudson PORT HUDSON — June 2013 marks the 150th anniversary of the Siege of Port Hudson during the Civil War.  The Union had control of the entire Mississippi River with the exception of Vicksburg and Port Hudson.  It hoped to secure complete control by capturing those two citadels. At […]

A Young Woman Said We Will Build Future Through Hard Work, Courage, Intelligence, And Determination CENTRAL —  In May 1913, Pearl Elizabeth Felps walked to the podium as the valedictorian of the first graduating of the new Central High School, located at the corner of Canal (now Hooper) and Sullivan roads. A copy of her […]

1862-2012 by Daniel O’Connor The Battle of Baton Rouge was a swirling melee. The darkness, fog, noise, and close combat stretched the limits of command and control for an army of this time. Well established plans fell apart almost immediately in the confusion. The initial Confederate attack was intended to be a collective effort by […]

Death of Young Confederate Lt. Brought Tragedy To White House BATON ROUGE — Like many in the North and South, President Lincoln’s First Lady, Mary Todd Lincoln, had her life torn apart by the Civil War.  Although her husband led the Union, she had five brothers fighting for the South. Ironically, events here in Central brought great tragedy […]

JOOR ROAD — Only one person is buried on the grounds of the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge — Gen. Henry Atkins Allen, who served as the 2nd Confederate governor of Louisiana and was a much admired public figure. On the sweltering day of the Battle of Baton Rouge — Aug. 5, 1862 — […]

On Aug. 4, 1862, Central Served As Staging Area For CSA Forces by Woody Jenkins, Editor GREENWELL SPRINGS — In July 1862 — 150 years ago — Confederate Major Gen. Earl Van Dorn planned an expedition to capture Baton Rouge from Union troops, who had burned much of the city and looted the rest. He sent Major Gen. […]