Bastrop, Louisiana
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Bastrop is a city in Morehouse Parish,
Louisiana Louisiana ( ; ; ) is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It borders Texas to the west, Arkansas to the north, and Mississippi to the east. Of the 50 U.S. states, it ranks 31st in area and 25 ...
, United States. It is the
parish seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or civil parish. The term is in use in five countries: Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, and the United States. An equivalent term, shire town, is used in ...
of Morehouse Parish. The population was 9,691 at the 2020 census, down from 11,365 in
2010 The year saw a multitude of natural and environmental disasters such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and the 2010 Chile earthquake. The 2009 swine flu pandemic, swine flu pandemic which began the previous year ...
. The population of Bastrop is 76 percent
African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...
. It is included in the
Monroe Monroe or Monroes may refer to: People and fictional characters * Monroe (surname) * Monroe (given name) * James Monroe, 5th President of the United States * Marilyn Monroe, actress and model Places United States * Monroe, Arkansas, an unincorp ...
Metropolitan Statistical Area and is part of the Monroe– Ruston Combined Statistical Area.


History

Bastrop was founded by
Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop Felipe Enrique Neri (born ''Philip Hendrik Nering Bögel''; November 23, 1759 in Paramaribo, Surinam (Dutch colony), Surinam – 23 February 1827) was a Dutch businessman and land owner known for his money in English American, Anglo-American ...
, a Dutch businessman accused as an
embezzler Embezzlement (from Anglo-Norman, from Old French ''besillier'' ("to torment, etc."), of unknown origin) is a type of financial crime, usually involving theft of money from a business or employer. It often involves a trusted individual taking ...
. He had fled to the then Spanish colony of
Louisiana Louisiana ( ; ; ) is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It borders Texas to the west, Arkansas to the north, and Mississippi to the east. Of the 50 U.S. states, it ranks 31st in area and 25 ...
to escape prosecution and became involved in various land deals. In
New Spain New Spain, officially the Viceroyalty of New Spain ( ; Nahuatl: ''Yankwik Kaxtillan Birreiyotl''), originally the Kingdom of New Spain, was an integral territorial entity of the Spanish Empire, established by Habsburg Spain. It was one of several ...
, he falsely claimed to be a nobleman. He received a large grant of land, provided that he could settle 450 families on it over the next several years. However, he was unable to do this, and so lost the grant. Afterwards, he moved to
Texas Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...
, where he claimed to oppose the sale of Louisiana to the United States and became a minor government official. He proved instrumental in
Moses Austin Moses Austin (October 4, 1761 – June 10, 1821) was an American businessman and pioneer who played a large part in the development of the lead industry in the early United States, especially in southwest Virginia and Missouri. He was the fa ...
's plan (and later, that of his son, Stephen F. Austin) to bring American colonists to what was then northern
Mexico Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...
. Bastrop formally incorporated in 1857, and is the commercial and industrial center of Morehouse Parish. In the 19th century, it was notable as the western edge of the great North Louisiana swamp, but more favorable terrain resulted in the antebellum rail line connecting to
Monroe Monroe or Monroes may refer to: People and fictional characters * Monroe (surname) * Monroe (given name) * James Monroe, 5th President of the United States * Marilyn Monroe, actress and model Places United States * Monroe, Arkansas, an unincorp ...
, further to the south. Bastrop was a
Confederate A confederation (also known as a confederacy or league) is a political union of sovereign states united for purposes of common action. Usually created by a treaty, confederations of states tend to be established for dealing with critical issu ...
stronghold during the
American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...
until January 1865, when 3,000 cavalrymen led by
Colonel Colonel ( ; abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military Officer (armed forces), officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colon ...
Embury D. Osband of the 3rd United States Colored Cavalry Regiment, embarked from
Memphis, Tennessee Memphis is a city in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States, and its county seat. Situated along the Mississippi River, it had a population of 633,104 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the List of municipalities in Tenne ...
, for northeastern Louisiana. During the
Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 was the most destructive river flood in the history of the United States, with inundated in depths of up to over the course of several months in early 1927. The period cost of the damage has been estimate ...
, Bastrop was the site of a relief camp for refugees. During
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, it was the site of a German prisoner-of-war camp. Bastrop is the parish seat of Morehouse Parish and is within an area marketed to tourists as the Sportsman's Paradise Region of Louisiana. It is a Main Street Community and has received Transportation Enhancement funding for improvements in its historic district. Celebrations and concerts are held in the historic downtown at the restored 1914 Morehouse Parish Courthouse and Rose Theater. Bastrop is home to the Snyder Museum and Creative Arts Center, housed in the circa 1929 home of a local family. Volunteers lead heritage appreciation tours for children and interpret the history of the parish using local artifacts.


Geography

Bastrop is located in western Morehouse Parish, at the crossroads of U.S. Highway 425 and U.S. Highway 165 (Madison Avenue). According to the
United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...
, Bastrop has a total area of , all of it land.


Climate


Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 9,691 people, 3,834 households, and 2,273 families residing in the city.


Economy

In 2008,
International Paper Company The International Paper Company is an American pulp and paper company, the largest such company in the world. It has approximately 39,000 employees, and is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. History The company was incorporated January 31 ...
, the largest area employer, ceased operations of its Bastrop mill. In 2009, poultry processor
Pilgrim's Pride Pilgrim's Pride Corporation is an American, multi-national food company, currently one of the largest chicken producers in the United States and Puerto Rico and the second-largest chicken producer in Mexico. It exited bankruptcy in December 2009 ...
closed multiple facilities in the area, which impacted the economy of Bastrop. DG Foods opened a poultry processing plant at Bastrop in 2011. In 2015, a wood pellet facility opened in Bastrop, employing 64 people. The 1023rd Engineer Company (Vertical) of the 528th Engineer Battalion of the 225th Engineer Brigade is located in Bastrop.


Arts and culture

A branch of the Morehouse Parish Public Library System is located in Bastrop.


Government

Bastrop is governed by a mayor, Betty Alford-Olive, and a city council, which includes: *Angela Moore, District A *Charles Bradford, District B *James Green, District C *Darry Green, District D *Howard Loche, District E


Education


Public schools

Public schools located in Bastrop are operated by the Morehouse Parish School Board, and include: * Bastrop High School * Beekman Charter School * Morehouse Elementary School * Morehouse Magnet School


Private schools

Prairie View Academy is a private school in Bastrop serving kindergarten to grade 12.


Postsecondary schools

Louisiana Delta Community College Louisiana Delta Community College is a public community college in Monroe, Louisiana. The college began offering classes in 2001. Louisiana Delta Community College has eight campuses (Bastrop, Louisiana, Bastrop, Jonesboro, Louisiana, Jonesboro, ...
has a campus in Bastrop.


Bastrop High School prayer controversy

In 2011, graduating senior Damon Fowler objected to
prayer File:Prayers-collage.png, 300px, alt=Collage of various religionists praying – Clickable Image, Collage of various religionists praying ''(Clickable image – use cursor to identify.)'' rect 0 0 1000 1000 Shinto festivalgoer praying in front ...
at the Bastrop High School graduation exercises, claiming a looming violation of the
First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution prevents Federal government of the United States, Congress from making laws respecting an Establishment Clause, establishment of religion; prohibiting the Free Exercise Cla ...
. The
American Civil Liberties Union The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is an American nonprofit civil rights organization founded in 1920. ACLU affiliates are active in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. The budget of the ACLU in 2024 was $383 million. T ...
of Louisiana asked the school not to include a prayer in the May 20 graduation. At the Thursday night rehearsal for the graduation, senior Sarah Barlow included a prayer that explicitly mentioned
Jesus Christ Jesus (AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and many Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament, other names and titles, was a 1st-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the Jesus in Chris ...
, and during the graduation, student Laci Mattice led people in the
Lord's Prayer The Lord's Prayer, also known by its incipit Our Father (, ), is a central Christian prayer attributed to Jesus. It contains petitions to God focused on God’s holiness, will, and kingdom, as well as human needs, with variations across manusc ...
before a moment of silence. The school says that Mattice was told not to include a prayer. Fowler stated that after his objections became public he was ostracized by other students.


Media

Bastrop and Morehouse Parish were until 2019 served by a daily newspaper, the ''
Bastrop Daily Enterprise The ''Bastrop Daily Enterprise'' was an American daily newspaper published in Bastrop, Louisiana. It was restarted as ''Bastrop Daily Enterprise'' on October 5, 1952. It was owned by Gannett Gannett Co., Inc. ( ) is an American mass media ...
,'' which ceased operations because of financial and readership issues.


Notable people

*
Ronnie Coleman Ronald Dean Coleman (born May 13, 1964) is an American former professional bodybuilder who is widely regarded as the greatest Bodybuilding, bodybuilder of all time. Known as "The King", Coleman shares the all-time record for most Mr. Olympia ...
, professional bodybuilder * Denzel Devall, college football player *
Bill Dickey William Malcolm Dickey (June 6, 1907 – November 12, 1993) was an American professional baseball catcher and manager. He played in Major League Baseball with the New York Yankees for 17 seasons. Dickey managed the Yankees as a player-manager i ...
,
Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
catcher for the New York Yankees * Michael Echols, member of the
Louisiana House of Representatives The Louisiana House of Representatives (; ) is the lower house in the Louisiana State Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. This chamber is composed of 105 representatives, each of whom represents approximately 4 ...
*
Stump Edington Jacob Franklin "Stump" Edington (July 4, 1891 – November 11, 1969) was a Major League Baseball right fielder who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates for about a month in 1912 (June 20-July 13). The 20-year-old rookie, who stood and weighed 170& ...
,
Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
player who died in Bastrop *
David 'Bo' Ginn :Not related to ''Ronald 'Bo' Ginn'', former U.S. representative from Georgia's 1st congressional district Charles David Ginn, known as David 'Bo' Ginn Williams (1 August 1927 - 2006), is a Democratic Party (United States), Democrat former mem ...
, state senator from Morehouse Parish from 1980 to 1988 * Amos T. Hall (1896–1971), lawyer, judge, and civil rights leader * Luther E. Hall, governor of Louisiana * Stacey Hawkins,
United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Air force, air service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Tracing its ori ...
major general * Ed Head,
Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
player who died in Bastrop *
Mable John Mable John (November 3, 1930 – August 25, 2022) was an American blues vocalist and was the first female artist signed by Berry Gordy to Motown's Tamla label. Biography John was born in Bastrop, Louisiana, on November 3, 1930, the eldest o ...
,
Motown Records Motown is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. Founded by Berry Gordy, Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on January 12, 1959, it was incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmanteau ...
singer born in Bastrop * Jim Looney,
NFL The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The N ...
player *
Bob Love Robert Earl Love (December 8, 1942 – November 18, 2024) was an American professional basketball player who spent the prime of his career with the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls. A versatile forward who could shoot with either ...
,
NBA The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...
basketball player * Calvin Natt,
National Basketball Association The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...
player with the Denver Nuggets * Kenny Natt,
National Basketball Association The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...
drafted by
Indiana Pacers The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), Ea ...
in 1980 * Willie Parker, NFL and WFL player *
Rueben Randle Rueben Jacob Randle (born May 7, 1991) is an American former professional football wide receiver. He played college football at Louisiana State University (LSU), and was selected by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft. ...
,
LSU Tigers football The LSU Tigers football program, also known as the Fighting Tigers, represents Louisiana State University in college football. The LSU Tigers and Lady Tigers, Tigers compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athle ...
, wide receiver * Shane Reynolds,
Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
player *
John Wesley Ryles John Wesley Ryles (born December 2, 1950) is an American country music artist. Ryles recorded a string of hit country songs, beginning in 1968 when he was still a teenager, and continuing through the 1980s. He no longer records as a headline art ...
, country music singer, born in Bastrop in 1950 * Talance Sawyer, played for the Minnesota Vikings; born in Bastrop *
Dylan Scott Dylan Scott Robinson (born October 22, 1990) is an American country singer and songwriter, better known by his stage name Dylan Scott. He is signed to Curb Records. Career Scott's debut single, "Makin' This Boy Go Crazy", was released in June ...
, country music singer-songwriter * Pat Williams, NFL player (Minnesota Vikings) * Hulon B. Whittington, Medal of Honor recipient


References


External links

* {{authority control * Cities in Louisiana B Cities in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana 1857 establishments in Louisiana