Once called America’s Hometown, Baker remains a warm community
Louisiana's French heritage might lead someone to associate the name Baker with European breadmaking traditions, but in reality, this suburb of Baton Rouge gets its name simply from a local settler with the last name Baker. Not unlike the aroma of fresh baked goods, Baker is warm and welcoming. This applies to families, retirees and anyone else valuing the quiet and seclusion that comes with living outside the city setting. “Baker used to be called America’s Hometown. Today, it’s a good community with houses going up in value. It’s also close to great school districts,” says local Realtor Suzi Gautreaux, with The Gautreaux Group.
Home styles reflect both history and growth
Homes in the Baker area are “older traditional houses, but there are some new subdivisions, so there is some growth too,” says Mrs. Gautreaux. Housing styles here range from contemporary cottages to apartment complexes. There are numerous Acadian-style homes, cottages, ranch-styles, and bungalows. The lawns are well kept and range in size from very small to several acres large. This progressive city has lots of wooded areas, shopping centers and green spaces among the rows of houses. Prices range from $115,000 for older homes to $650,000 for newer contemporary styles.
School options include public and charter campuses
Served by the City of Baker School System, the area has public and charter schools, like Baker Middle and High Schools, as well as Advantage Charter Academy.
A large park offering diverse ways to enjoy the outdoors
Baker has numerous parks and playgrounds, and Greenwood Community Park is one of the largest in the Greater Baton Rouge area. At 390 acres, the park has plenty of room for games of catch, kite flying or a few cartwheels. There’s a lake near the center of the park, and the waterfront has a café, pro shop, plus kayak/canoe rentals and launches. The green space also has two golf courses, a dog park, a disc golf course and an outdoor fitness station. Strolling through the area is made easier with multiple nature trails and a walking loop. Further, Greenwood Community Park is home to a tennis center with lighted courts. The center teaches youth and adult programs, as well as pickleball clinics and camps. The park also has the J.S. Clark and Dumas Memorial Golf Courses. The J.S. Clark course covers 36 acres, has nine holes and is open to players of all ages and skill levels. The Dumas Memorial Golf Course has a full 18 holes and a 1960s design.
A longstanding zoo supporting education and conservation efforts
Nearby, the BREC Baton Rouge Zoo was founded in 1965 when taxpayers voted to fund the project. It opened on Easter Sunday 1970, and the citizens of East Baton Rouge feel a sense of ownership and pride in the zoo they helped to build. The zoo connects visitors with wildlife through education, engagement, and more than 30 conservation efforts. It conducts active research and in-house educational programs and workshops such as reading programs, day camps, weekend classes, and live animal encounters. For more than 50 years, the zoo has been the No. 1 year-round family attraction in Baton Rouge.
Main roads keep locals connected to the wider area
Established in 1812, the city of Baker has multiple major roadways running through and around it, making it incredibly convenient to Baton Rouge and the nearby town of Zachary.
![Andrew Williams]()
Photography Contributed By
Andrew Williams
