Bastrop, Louisiana
Town
Morehouse Parish Courthouse
Morehouse Parish Courthouse
Motto(s): 
The City of Spirit, Pride, and Progress
Bastrop is located in Louisiana
Bastrop
Bastrop
Bastrop is located in the United States
Bastrop
Bastrop
Bastrop is located in North America
Bastrop
Bastrop
Coordinates: 32°45′22″N 91°52′20″W / 32.75611°N 91.87222°W / 32.75611; -91.87222
CountryUnited States
StateLouisiana
ParishMorehouse
City Charter1852
Founded byFelipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop
Named forBaron de Bastrop
Government
 • TypeMayor and Board of Aldermen/City Council
 • MayorBetty Alford-Olive
Area
[1]
 • Total8.56 sq mi (22.17 km2)
 • Land8.56 sq mi (22.17 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
[2]
164 ft (50 m)
Population
 (2020)[3]
 • Total9,691
 • Density1,132.39/sq mi (437.21/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
71220
Area code318
FIPS code22-04685
GNIS feature ID1629913[2]
Websitewww.cityofbastrop.com

Bastrop is a city in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is the parish seat of Morehouse Parish.[4] The population was 9,691 at the 2020 census,[3] down from 11,365 in 2010. The population of Bastrop is 76 percent African American.[3] It is included in the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area and is part of the Monroe–Ruston Combined Statistical Area.

History

Bastrop was founded by Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop, a Dutch businessman accused as an embezzler. He had fled to the then Spanish colony of Louisiana to escape prosecution and became involved in various land deals. In New Spain, 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, 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's plan (and later, that of his son, Stephen F. Austin) to bring American colonists to what was then northern Mexico.

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, further to the south.

Bastrop was a Confederate stronghold during the American Civil War until January 1865, when 3,000 cavalrymen led by Colonel Embury D. Osband of the 3rd United States Colored Cavalry Regiment, embarked from Memphis, Tennessee, for northeastern Louisiana.[5]

During the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, Bastrop was the site of a relief camp for refugees. During World War II, 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.[6]

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.[6]

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, Bastrop has a total area of 8.59 square miles (22.2 km2), all of it land.[1]

Climate

Climate data for Bastrop, Louisiana (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–1900, 1921–1925, 1935–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 84
(29)		 87
(31)		 93
(34)		 94
(34)		 101
(38)		 108
(42)		 108
(42)		 107
(42)		 110
(43)		 100
(38)		 89
(32)		 89
(32)		 110
(43)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 53.8
(12.1)		 58.2
(14.6)		 66.9
(19.4)		 74.3
(23.5)		 81.0
(27.2)		 88.0
(31.1)		 90.6
(32.6)		 90.6
(32.6)		 86.3
(30.2)		 76.2
(24.6)		 64.4
(18.0)		 56.2
(13.4)		 73.9
(23.3)
Daily mean °F (°C) 43.8
(6.6)		 47.5
(8.6)		 55.2
(12.9)		 62.9
(17.2)		 71.0
(21.7)		 78.4
(25.8)		 81.1
(27.3)		 80.5
(26.9)		 75.2
(24.0)		 64.2
(17.9)		 53.3
(11.8)		 46.2
(7.9)		 63.3
(17.4)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 33.9
(1.1)		 36.8
(2.7)		 43.6
(6.4)		 51.5
(10.8)		 61.0
(16.1)		 68.7
(20.4)		 71.5
(21.9)		 70.3
(21.3)		 64.1
(17.8)		 52.3
(11.3)		 42.1
(5.6)		 36.3
(2.4)		 52.7
(11.5)
Record low °F (°C) 4
(−16)		 −12
(−24)		 15
(−9)		 28
(−2)		 39
(4)		 48
(9)		 54
(12)		 51
(11)		 37
(3)		 21
(−6)		 18
(−8)		 3
(−16)		 −12
(−24)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 5.72
(145)		 4.91
(125)		 4.94
(125)		 6.14
(156)		 5.21
(132)		 4.13
(105)		 4.58
(116)		 4.68
(119)		 3.41
(87)		 5.11
(130)		 4.37
(111)		 5.19
(132)		 58.39
(1,483)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 10.3 8.5 8.8 7.3 9.0 8.3 7.9 6.5 5.8 6.5 8.3 8.6 95.8
Source: NOAA[7][8]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860481—
18705218.3%
188082257.8%
1900787—
19108548.5%
19201,21642.4%
19305,121321.1%
19406,62629.4%
195012,76992.7%
196015,19319.0%
197014,713−3.2%
198015,5275.5%
199013,916−10.4%
200012,988−6.7%
201011,365−12.5%
20209,691−14.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
Bastrop racial makeup as of 2020[3]
Race Num. Perc.
White 1,928 19.9%
Black or African American 7,345 75.8%
Native American 24 0.2%
Asian 29 0.3%
Other/Mixed 365 3.8%
Hispanic or Latino 97 1.0%

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 largest area employer, ceased operations of its Bastrop mill.[10][11][12]

In 2009, poultry processor Pilgrim's Pride closed multiple facilities in the area, which impacted the economy of Bastrop.[13] DG Foods opened a poultry processing plant at Bastrop in 2011.

In 2015, and wood pellet facility opened in Bastrop, employing 64 people.[14][15]

The 1023rd Engineer Company (Vertical) of the 528th Engineer Battalion of the 225th Engineer Brigade is located in Bastrop.

Arts and culture

Morehouse Parish Library in Bastrop

A branch of the Morehouse Parish Public Library System is located in Bastrop.[16]

Government

Bastrop is governed by a mayor, Betty Alford-Olive, and a city council, which includes:[17][18]

  • Angela Moore, District A
  • Charles Bradford, District B
  • James Green, District C
  • Darry Green, District D
  • Howard Loche, District E

Education

Bastrop High School

Public schools

Public schools located in Bastrop are operated by the Morehouse Parish School Board, and include:[19]

Private schools

Prairie View Academy is a private school in Bastrop serving kindergarten to grade 12.[20]

Postsecondary schools

Louisiana Delta Community College has a campus in Bastrop.[21]

Bastrop High School prayer controversy

In 2011, graduating senior Damon Fowler objected to prayer at the Bastrop High School graduation exercises, claiming a looming violation of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.[22] The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana asked the school not to include a prayer in the May 20 graduation.[22] At the Thursday night rehearsal for the graduation, senior Sarah Barlow included a prayer that explicitly mentioned Jesus Christ, and during the graduation, student Laci Mattice led people in the Lord's Prayer before a moment of silence. The school says that Mattice was told not to include a prayer.[22] Fowler stated that after his objections became public he was ostracized by other students.[23]

Media

Bastrop Daily Enterprise newspaper office

Bastrop and Morehouse Parish are served by a daily newspaper, the Bastrop Daily Enterprise.

Notable people

References

  1. 1 2 "2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Louisiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  2. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Bastrop, Louisiana
  3. 1 2 3 4 "P1. Race – Bastrop city, Louisiana: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 4, 2012. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  5. ↑ John D. Winters, The Civil War in Louisiana, Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1963, ISBN 0-8071-0834-0, pp. 413–414
  6. 1 2 "Preserve America | Advisory Council on Historic Preservation". www.achp.gov. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  7. ↑ "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  10. ↑ Greg Hilburn, "Jindal visits region" Archived August 16, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, The Monroe News-Star, December 13, 2008
  11. ↑ Greg Hilburn, "Bastrop mill closes; 550 lose jobs" Archived August 16, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Monroe News Star, November 22, 2008, p. 1
  12. ↑ Greg Hilburn, "Jindal: Bastrop is a top priority: State will do all it can to prop up community" Archived August 16, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Monroe News Star, November 25, 2008
  13. ↑ "Greg Hilburn and Robbie Evans, "Pilgrim's Pride decision a bombshell: Sites closing in Arcadia, Athens, Choudrant, Farmerville". Shreveport Times. Archived from the original on November 13, 2014. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  14. ↑ "News & Updates | Drax BioMassDrax BioMass". Archived from the original on February 19, 2014. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
  15. ↑ http://www.thepineywoods.com/PelletsJan13.html/%5B%5D
  16. ↑ "Bastrop Main Branch". Morehouse Parish Library. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Meet the Mayor". City of Bastrop. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  18. ↑ "City Council". City of Bastrop. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Home". Morehouse Parish School Board. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Prairie View Academy". Prairie View Academy. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Bastrop". Louisiana Delta Community College. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  22. 1 2 3 Southwell, Zack (May 21, 2011). "Prayer sparks controversy in Bastrop". The Star. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  23. ↑ Lebo, Lauri (May 20, 2011). "Student Says He's Ostracized for Objecting to Graduation Prayer". Religion Dispatches. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
  24. ↑ "Shane Reynolds Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
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