Garden District

There are certain places in the Deep South that seem to leap directly from a movie screen, and one of those spots is Baton Rouge’s Garden District. Towering live oaks mingle with shrubs and flowers along the streets and against picturesque cottages. Front porches are common and are used daily to greet neighbors while taking in the day. The city’s oldest subdivision, the Garden District was originally called Roseland Terrace when first platted in 1910. Advertised as “the most ideal residence section of Baton Rouge,” the neighborhood’s location was at first criticized for being too far away from the city center to be viable. However, that 2-mile distance proved not to be an issue for those seeking pristine plots on which to build. The area quickly became highly desirable, full of cultural landmarks, numerous dining options and green spaces. And it remains that way today.

"I love how the people are all so friendly and are all so passionate about their neighborhood. Neighbors really get to know one another and greet each other on strolls or from their spacious porches. In fact, I've loved greeting open house visitors on the front porch of listings instead of from right inside the front door," says Ashley LaBorde Vuci, a Realtor with Latter and Blum. "The architecture in the neighborhood might be its most notable feature. You'll find Queen Anne, Tudor Revival, Classical Revival, and Colonial Revival styles. Many are well-preserved, and some have been passed through many generations of the same family. The Garden District is truly a stunning neighborhood."

The Garden District began as a bedroom community in the early 1900s. By the 1930s, homes filled the neighborhood, and over 88% are still standing today. In fact, many of the houses you’ll encounter in the area are turn-of-the-century cottages, bungalows, and Craftsman homes alongside New Orleans-style mansions. The relaxed neighborhood is made up of three historic districts, each of which has its own distinctive style, and most of the streets are named after flowers. Utilities like telephone lines run through alleyways behind the homes to keep sightlines clean. Prices range from $220,000 for a traditional residence with two bedrooms and bathrooms to $540,000 for a historic Arts and Crafts cottage with three bedrooms and two baths.

Students in the area are lucky to be within walking distance of several Baton Rouge schools. University Terrace Elementary is close to downtown and features personalized learning plans for children in fourth and fifth grades. It’s a one-to-one technology school where each student receives a Google Chromebook to use for classroom lessons, research and homework. Mckinley Middle Academic Magnet is a visual and performing arts facility recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. It has state-of-the-art theaters, an outdoor amphitheater and dozens of specialized classes for dance, drama and music. Mckinley Senior High has been educating young adults since the early 1900s in subject concentrations such as transportation and logistics, medical and pre-med, and liberal arts and management.

Being in the Garden District means you’ll have plenty of access to green spaces. One of the largest in the city is found right in the middle of the neighborhood. City-Brooks Community Park occupies 155 lush acres just off Interstate 10. It has all the perks you’d expect from a large park, such as ball fields, tennis courts and basketball, along with a few you might not be expecting. For example, you can play croquet here before taking a meditative stroll through a labyrinth or fishing in the 50-acre lake.

Also located in the park is the Baton Rouge Gallery. This nonprofit center for contemporary art has been showcasing rotating exhibitions of local and national artists since 1965 in a historic 1927 pool house. You can view more than just paintings here. Sculptures, ceramics, jewelry, photography and stained glass all make appearances in the gallery, as well as in the Art-O-Mat machine, one of only 170 in the world. This repurposed cigarette machine dispenses original art pieces from around the world for a $5 token.

There’s no shortage of dining options either. Bldg 5 might be tucked away under the Perkins Overpass, but for those who find it, the uniquely rustic setting and laid-back atmosphere bring them back time and time again. The business is a combination market and kitchen complete with outdoor seating under tall oaks and sparkling lights. You can even take in the view from the restaurant’s rooftop bar. The eclectic cutlery was hand-picked from estate sales and antique stores, and the reclaimed wooden walls surround long tables from Germany and leather chairs from the 1930s. Other neighborhood favorites include the DiGiulio Brothers Italian Café and Chow Yum Phat.

Baton Rouge’s Garden District provides residents with a friendly home base filled with museums, great schools and numerous restaurants.

Written By

K.T. Phillips

Photography Contributed By

Andrew Williams

Video By

Alex Finneran