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HISTORY Baton Rouge, and especially Mid City, are vibrant, unique places. Their future is tied into their past. Exploring the roots of both yields new perspectives. A neighborhood is a product of its context, its overall environment. Here you will find a brief history of the area, and some questions about looking forward to the future.

Mid City was once the thriving suburbs of an expanding city. Home to many neighborhoods and commercial zones, Mid City was the place to live and work in Baton Rouge. Here, at the so-called “top of the bottoms” in Old South Baton Rouge, the upper echelon of society gathered at the nearby landmarks of the Lincoln Theater, the Temple, and the Lincoln Hotel.

But the growth of Baton Rouge slowly shifted focus to the south and east, leaving the neighborhoods of Mid City behind. Interstate 110 essentially severed the connection between Mid City and Downtown, choking investment in the area.

Mid City is the middle of a resurgence. Many groups and persons recognize the importance of Mid City. Crime is decreasing, property value is only rising. The area is having a sort of Renaissance, an exciting time to be living here. Now is the time for investment, for pride in your neighborhood.

Here is a part of the story, Mid City. Tell us yours below, in the comments.