HISTORY OF CENTRAL The area in and around <strong>Central</strong> has a rich history beginning with European settlers moving in and homesteading public lands dating as far back as the late 1700’s and early 1800’s. As with most early European settlements throughout the United States, Native Americans already had roots in the region. Amite and Choctaw Indians made their dwellings along the sandy banks <strong>of</strong> the Amite River that today River, but had become established enough to contain a post <strong>of</strong>fi ce, grist and saw mill, a brickyard and blacksmith. Ferry crossing such as the one functioning during the existence <strong>of</strong> Burlington, have played a major role in the history <strong>of</strong> <strong>Central</strong>. These crossings were an economically valuable resource that encouraged people to move through the area. Today, this same tradition is continued with the Magnolia Bridge crossing. makes up the eastern boundary <strong>of</strong> the <strong>City</strong> and Parish. The area’s farmland is strewn with Indian arrowheads that were made from rocks found along the river’s banks, together with Indian mounds that are still in existence today. This heritage should be acknowledged as an important part <strong>of</strong> the community’s cultural asset base. In 1853, a <strong>plan</strong> was in the works for the resort community <strong>of</strong> Greenwell Springs, a name originated from Robert W. Greenwell who was the previous owner <strong>of</strong> a 250 acre tract <strong>of</strong> land containing several springs. The development <strong>of</strong> a 125 lot subdivision and seven streets was soon created near the site <strong>of</strong> the springs. A large hotel with accompanying buildings was Historical roads <strong>of</strong> commerce traveled along two routes. One along winding trails that slashed through thick woods <strong>of</strong> pines, oaks, magnolias and holly, speckled with fl owering dogwoods and redbuds. The other route required fl atboats and barges along the meandering Amite River when the stream was swollen by rains. In time, these muddy trails gave way to roads that crisscrossed the area. Today, evidence <strong>of</strong> these routes can still be seen in the form <strong>of</strong> Greenwell Springs Road and Denham Road. Around 1810, near the current intersection <strong>of</strong> Hooper and Greenwell Springs Roads, sprang the earliest recorded community in the area - a small town called Burlington. The community was primarily known for the ferry crossing the Amite constructed to house visitors fl eeing yellow fever epidemics and heat in the cities <strong>of</strong> New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Those that came to the area looked for work, entertainment, and to partake in the therapeutic qualities <strong>of</strong> the 10 springs that were said to cure almost any ailment. At the outbreak <strong>of</strong> the Civil War more residents from Baton Rouge came to the Greenwell Springs area, taking refuge from Union forces. During this time southern troops commandeered the hotel and used it as their headquarters. After the Battle <strong>of</strong> Baton Rouge in 1862, victorious northern troops took over the hotel and at the war’s end, the site was dismantled. During the Reconstruction period many people sold their land and new settlers moved into the area. In 1910 a bottling company and new hotel were erected on the citizens <strong>of</strong> <strong>Central</strong> decided to band together and vote to get the <strong>City</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Central</strong> incorporated in 2005. The incorporation <strong>of</strong> <strong>Central</strong> was approved following the vote by Governor Kathleen Blanco. In 2006, another great step forward was made for <strong>Central</strong> as voters <strong>of</strong> the city, East Baton Rouge Parish, and the State <strong>of</strong> Louisiana agreed to allow <strong>Central</strong> to create the <strong>Central</strong> Independent School District. The citizens <strong>of</strong> <strong>Central</strong> have had an exciting past and can look forward to a promising future. Today, with good leadership and careful <strong>plan</strong>ning future growth will insure an even higher quality <strong>of</strong> life and continued prosperity. existing Greenwell Spring’s site. The venture was not successful and the company went out <strong>of</strong> business. Not long after, the hotel was converted into the Greenwell Springs Tuberculosis Hospital. It burned down in 1922 and a new facility was rebuilt. The hospital treated tuberculosis patients until the 1950’s. Today Greenwell Springs Hospital is used by the State <strong>of</strong> Louisiana as a psychiatric facility. The proximity to the Capital <strong>City</strong> <strong>of</strong> Baton Rouge allowed <strong>Central</strong> to develop into a thriving community in the 1980’s with small business growth, high-quality schools, and subdivision development. As the area <strong>of</strong> <strong>Central</strong> become more and more <strong>of</strong> an extension <strong>of</strong> Baton Rouge’s lengthening suburbia, the CITY OF <strong>Central</strong> a community that cares
COMMUNITY INVENTORY & ANALYSIS CITY OF <strong>Central</strong> a community that cares