Bastrop, Louisiana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bastrop, Louisiana
City
Nickname(s):  Strop City,Little Monroe
Motto(s):  The City of Spirit, Pride, and Progress
Bastrop, Louisiana Location in Louisiana Show map of Louisiana Bastrop, Louisiana Location in the United States Show map of the United States Bastrop, Louisiana Location in North America Show map of North America
Country	United States
State	Louisiana
Parish	Morehouse
City Charter	1852 (173 years ago) (1852)
Founded by	Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop
Named for	Baron de Bastrop
Government
• Type	Mayor and Board of Aldermen/City Council
Area
• Total	8.56 sq mi (22.17 km2)
• Land	8.56 sq mi (22.17 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	164 ft (50 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	9,691
• Density	1,132.39/sq mi (437.21/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code	71220
Area code(s)	318
FIPS code	22-04685
GNIS feature ID	1629913

Bastrop is a city in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is the main town, also known as the parish seat, of Morehouse Parish. In 2020, about 9,691 people lived there. Most of the people living in Bastrop, about 76%, are African American. Bastrop is part of the larger Monroe area.

History of Bastrop, Louisiana

Bastrop was started by Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop. He was a Dutch businessman who moved to the Spanish colony of Louisiana. He was involved in land deals and received a large piece of land. He was supposed to settle 450 families there, but he couldn't.

Later, he moved to Texas. He helped Moses Austin and his son, Stephen F. Austin, bring American settlers to what was then northern Mexico.

Bastrop officially became a city in 1857. It is the main business and industry hub for Morehouse Parish. In the 1800s, it was known as the edge of a big swamp in North Louisiana.

During the American Civil War, Bastrop was a stronghold for the Confederate side. In January 1865, about 3,000 cavalry soldiers, led by Colonel Embury D. Osband, came to northeastern Louisiana from Memphis, Tennessee.

In 1927, during the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, Bastrop was a camp for people who had to leave their homes because of the flood. During World War II, it was a camp for German prisoners of war.

Bastrop is the main town of Morehouse Parish. It is in an area called the Sportsman's Paradise Region of Louisiana, which is popular with tourists. The city has worked to improve its historic downtown area.

Fun events and concerts are held in the historic downtown. You can visit the old 1914 Morehouse Parish Courthouse and the Rose Theater. Bastrop is also home to the Snyder Museum and Creative Arts Center. This museum is in a house built in 1929. Volunteers give tours to teach kids about the parish's history using local items.

Geography and Climate

Bastrop is located in the western part of Morehouse Parish. It is where two major roads, U.S. Highway 425 and U.S. Highway 165, meet.

The United States Census Bureau says that Bastrop covers about 8.59 square miles (22.17 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within the city limits.

Weather in Bastrop

Bastrop has a warm climate. Summers are hot and humid, while winters are mild. The hottest month is usually July or August, with average highs around 90°F (32°C). The coldest month is January, with average lows around 34°F (1°C). Bastrop gets a good amount of rain throughout the year.

Population and People

In 2020, Bastrop had 9,691 people living in 3,834 households. Most of the people in Bastrop are African American, making up about 75.8% of the population. About 19.9% of the people are White. There are also smaller groups of Native American, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino people.

Economy and Jobs

Bastrop has had some changes in its economy. In 2008, a large paper company, International Paper Company, closed its mill in Bastrop. This was a big employer in the area.

In 2009, a poultry company, Pilgrim's Pride, also closed some of its facilities. However, in 2011, another poultry processing plant called DG Foods opened in Bastrop.

In 2015, a new factory opened that makes wood pellets. This factory created 64 jobs for people in Bastrop. The 1023rd Engineer Company (Vertical) of the 528th Engineer Battalion is also located in Bastrop.

Arts and Culture in Bastrop

Morehouse Parish Library in Bastrop

Bastrop has a branch of the Morehouse Parish Public Library System. It's a great place to find books and learn new things.

Education in Bastrop

Bastrop offers different schooling options for students.

Public Schools

Bastrop High School

Public schools in Bastrop are run by the Morehouse Parish School Board. These include:

• Bastrop High School
• Beekman Charter School
• Morehouse Elementary School
• Morehouse Magnet School

Private Schools

Prairie View Academy is a private school in Bastrop. It teaches students from kindergarten all the way to 12th grade.

College Education

Louisiana Delta Community College has a campus in Bastrop. This allows students to continue their education close to home.

Local News

Bastrop Daily Enterprise newspaper office; closed in 2019

Until 2019, Bastrop and Morehouse Parish had their own daily newspaper called the Bastrop Daily Enterprise. It stopped printing due to financial reasons.

Famous People from Bastrop

Many notable people have connections to Bastrop, Louisiana. Here are a few:

• Ronnie Coleman – A professional bodybuilder.
• Bill Dickey – A famous baseball catcher for the New York Yankees, now in the Hall of Fame.
• Mable John – A singer who was part of Motown Records.
• Bob Love – A well-known NBA basketball player.
• Calvin Natt – An NBA All-Star basketball player.
• Rueben Randle – A wide receiver who played for LSU Tigers football and the New York Giants.
• Shane Reynolds – A Major League Baseball player.
• Dylan Scott – A country music singer and songwriter.
• Pat Williams – An NFL player for the Minnesota Vikings.
• Hulon B. Whittington – A recipient of the Medal of Honor.

Images for kids

• Morehouse Parish Courthouse

  Morehouse Parish Courthouse, a historic building in Bastrop.

See also

In Spanish: Bastrop (Luisiana) para niños