Bastrop, Louisiana

{{Short description|City in Louisiana, United States}}
{{About|the city in Louisiana|other uses|Bastrop (disambiguation){{!}}Bastrop}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2012}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Bastrop, Louisiana
| official_name            = 
| native_name              = 
| native_name_lang         = 
| other_name               = 
| settlement_type          = [[List of cities in Louisiana|Town]]
| image_skyline            = File:Morehouse Parish Courthouse, Bastrop, LA IMG 2803.JPG
| imagesize                = 
| image_alt                = 
| image_caption            = Morehouse Parish Courthouse
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = 
| etymology                = 
| nickname                 = 
| motto                    = The City of Spirit, Pride, and Progress
| anthem                   = 
| image_map                = File:Morehouse Parish Louisiana Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Bastrop Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                  = 
| map_alt                  = 
| map_caption              = 
| image_map1               = 
| mapsize1                 = 
| map_alt1                 = 
| map_caption1             = Location of Louisiana in the United States
| pushpin_map              = Louisiana#USA#North America
| pushpin_label_position   = bottom
| pushpin_label            = Bastrop
| pushpin_map_alt          = 
| pushpin_mapsize          = 
| pushpin_relief           = 
| pushpin_map_caption      = 
| coordinates              = {{coord|32|45|22|N|91|52|20|W|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint            = 
| coordinates_footnotes    = 
| grid_name                = 
| grid_position            = 
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = State
| subdivision_name1        = Louisiana
| subdivision_type2        = Parish
| subdivision_name2        = [[Morehouse Parish, Louisiana|Morehouse]]
| subdivision_type3        = 
| subdivision_name3        = 
| subdivision_type4        = 
| subdivision_name4        = 
| established_title        = City Charter
| established_date         = {{Start date and age|1852|p=fy}}
| established_title1       = 
| established_date1        = 
| established_title2       = 
| established_date2        = 
| established_title3       = 
| established_date3        = 
| established_title4       = 
| established_date4        = 
| established_title5       = 
| established_date5        = 
| established_title6       = 
| established_date6        = 
| established_title7       = 
| established_date7        = 
| extinct_title            = 
| extinct_date             = 
| founder                  = [[Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop]]
| named_for                = Baron de Bastrop
| seat_type                = 
| seat                     = 
| seat1_type               = 
| seat1                    = 
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = Mayor and Board of Aldermen/City Council
| governing_body           = 
| leader_party             = 
| leader_title             = Mayor
| leader_name              = Betty Alford-Olive
| leader_title1            = 
| leader_name1             = 
| total_type               = 
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2022">{{cite web |title=2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Louisiana |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2022_Gazetteer/2022_gaz_place_22.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=May 26, 2023}}</ref>
| area_total_km2           = 22.17
| area_total_sq_mi         = 8.56
| area_land_km2            = 22.17
| area_land_sq_mi          = 8.56
| area_water_km2           = 0.00
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
| area_water_percent       = 
| area_metro_footnotes     = 
| area_metro_km2           = 
| area_metro_sq_mi         = 
| area_rank                = 
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_m              = 
| elevation_ft             = 164
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US2204685&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=P1. Race – Bastrop city, Louisiana: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=May 26, 2023}}</ref>
| population_total         = 9691
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| pop_est_footnotes        = 
| population_est           = 
| population_rank          = 
| population_density_km2   = 437.21
| population_density_sq_mi = 1132.39
| population_metro_footnotes = 
| population_metro         = 
| population_density_metro_km2 = 
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = 
| population_density       = 
| population_density_rank  = 
| timezone1                = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset1              = -6
| timezone1_DST            = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset1_DST          = -5
| timezone2                = 
| utc_offset2              = 
| timezone2_DST            = 
| utc_offset2_DST          = 
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code              = 71220
| postal2_code_type        = 
| postal2_code             = 
| area_code_type           = 
| area_code                = [[Area code 318|318]]
| geocode                  = 
| iso_code                 = 
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 22-04685
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 1629913<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1629913}}</ref>
| website                  = {{URL|www.cityofbastrop.com}}
| footnotes                = 
}}
'''Bastrop''' is a city in [[Morehouse Parish, Louisiana|Morehouse Parish]], [[Louisiana]], United States. It is the [[parish seat]] of Morehouse Parish.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704084002/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=July 4, 2012 |df=mdy }}</ref> The population was 9,691 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="Census 2020"/> down from 11,365 in [[2010 United States census|2010]]. The population of Bastrop is 76 percent [[African American]].<ref name="Census 2020"/> It is included in the [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]] [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]] and is part of the Monroe–[[Ruston, Louisiana|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 (New Spain)|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 [[Spanish Texas|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, Louisiana|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, Louisiana|Monroe]], further to the south.

Bastrop was a [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] stronghold during the [[American Civil War]] until January 1865, when 3,000 cavalrymen led by [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] [[Embury D. Osband]] of the [[3rd United States Colored Cavalry Regiment]], embarked from [[Memphis, Tennessee]], for northeastern Louisiana.<ref>[[John D. Winters]], ''The Civil War in Louisiana'', [[Baton Rouge]]: [[Louisiana State University Press]], 1963, {{ISBN|0-8071-0834-0}}, pp. 413–414</ref>

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.<ref name="preserveamerica.gov">{{Cite web|title=Preserve America {{!}} Advisory Council on Historic Preservation|url=https://www.achp.gov/preserve-america|access-date=2021-10-28|website=www.achp.gov}}</ref>

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.<ref name="preserveamerica.gov"/>

==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 {{convert|8.59|sqmi|km2}}, all of it land.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2022"/>

===Climate===
{{Weather box
| width       = auto
| collapsed   = yes
| single line = yes
| location    = Bastrop, Louisiana (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–1900, 1921–1925, 1935–present)

| Jan record high F  = 84
| Feb record high F  = 87
| Mar record high F  = 93
| Apr record high F  = 94
| May record high F  = 101
| Jun record high F  = 108
| Jul record high F  = 108
| Aug record high F  = 107
| Sep record high F  = 110
| Oct record high F  = 100
| Nov record high F  = 89
| Dec record high F  = 89

| Jan high F  = 53.8
| Feb high F  = 58.2
| Mar high F  = 66.9
| Apr high F  = 74.3
| May high F  = 81.0
| Jun high F  = 88.0
| Jul high F  = 90.6
| Aug high F  = 90.6
| Sep high F  = 86.3
| Oct high F  = 76.2
| Nov high F  = 64.4
| Dec high F  = 56.2
| year high F = 73.9

| Jan mean F  = 43.8
| Feb mean F  = 47.5
| Mar mean F  = 55.2
| Apr mean F  = 62.9
| May mean F  = 71.0
| Jun mean F  = 78.4
| Jul mean F  = 81.1
| Aug mean F  = 80.5
| Sep mean F  = 75.2
| Oct mean F  = 64.2
| Nov mean F  = 53.3
| Dec mean F  = 46.2
| year mean F = 63.3

| Jan low F  = 33.9
| Feb low F  = 36.8
| Mar low F  = 43.6
| Apr low F  = 51.5
| May low F  = 61.0
| Jun low F  = 68.7
| Jul low F  = 71.5
| Aug low F  = 70.3
| Sep low F  = 64.1
| Oct low F  = 52.3
| Nov low F  = 42.1
| Dec low F  = 36.3
| year low F = 52.7

| Jan record low F  = 4
| Feb record low F  = -12
| Mar record low F  = 15
| Apr record low F  = 28
| May record low F  = 39
| Jun record low F  = 48
| Jul record low F  = 54
| Aug record low F  = 51
| Sep record low F  = 37
| Oct record low F  = 21
| Nov record low F  = 18
| Dec record low F  = 3

| precipitation colour    = green
| Jan precipitation inch  = 5.72
| Feb precipitation inch  = 4.91
| Mar precipitation inch  = 4.94
| Apr precipitation inch  = 6.14
| May precipitation inch  = 5.21
| Jun precipitation inch  = 4.13
| Jul precipitation inch  = 4.58
| Aug precipitation inch  = 4.68
| Sep precipitation inch  = 3.41
| Oct precipitation inch  = 5.11
| Nov precipitation inch  = 4.37
| Dec precipitation inch  = 5.19
| year precipitation inch = 58.39

| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days  = 10.3
| Feb precipitation days  = 8.5
| Mar precipitation days  = 8.8
| Apr precipitation days  = 7.3
| May precipitation days  = 9.0
| Jun precipitation days  = 8.3
| Jul precipitation days  = 7.9
| Aug precipitation days  = 6.5
| Sep precipitation days  = 5.8
| Oct precipitation days  = 6.5
| Nov precipitation days  = 8.3
| Dec precipitation days  = 8.6
| year precipitation days = 95.8

| source = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=jan
|title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = October 18, 2023}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00160537&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = October 18, 2023}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 481
|1870= 521
|1880= 822
|1900= 787
|1910= 854
|1920= 1216
|1930= 5121
|1940= 6626
|1950= 12769
|1960= 15193
|1970= 14713
|1980= 15527
|1990= 13916
|2000= 12988
|2010= 11365
|2020= 9691
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015|df=mdy}}</ref>
}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+Bastrop racial makeup as of 2020<ref name="Census 2020"/>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]]
|1,928
|19.9%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]]
|7,345
|75.8%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|24
|0.2%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|29
|0.3%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|365
|3.8%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|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.<ref>Greg Hilburn, [http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20081213/NEWS01/812130312 "Jindal visits region"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140816120554/http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20081213/NEWS01/812130312 |date=August 16, 2014 }}, ''The Monroe News-Star'', December 13, 2008</ref><ref>Greg Hilburn, [http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20081122/NEWS01/811220310&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL "Bastrop mill closes; 550 lose jobs"]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140816203310/http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20081122/NEWS01/811220310%26referrer%3DFRONTPAGECAROUSEL|date=August 16, 2014}}, ''Monroe News Star'', November 22, 2008, p. 1</ref><ref>Greg Hilburn, [http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20081125/NEWS01/811250309&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL "Jindal: Bastrop is a top priority: State will do all it can to prop up community"]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140816210041/http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20081125/NEWS01/811250309%26referrer%3DFRONTPAGECAROUSEL |date=August 16, 2014  }}, ''Monroe News Star'', November 25, 2008</ref>

In 2009, poultry processor [[Pilgrim's Pride]] closed multiple facilities in the area, which impacted the economy of Bastrop.<ref name=pilpr>{{cite web |url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20090301/NEWS05/903010307&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL |title=Greg Hilburn and Robbie Evans, "Pilgrim's Pride decision a bombshell: Sites closing in Arcadia, Athens, Choudrant, Farmerville |work=[[The Times (Shreveport)|Shreveport Times]] |access-date=March 1, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113004519/http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20090301/NEWS05/903010307%26referrer%3DFRONTPAGECAROUSEL |archive-date=November 13, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> DG Foods opened a poultry processing plant at Bastrop in 2011.{{cn|date=November 2023}}

In 2015, and wood pellet facility opened in Bastrop, employing 64 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://draxbiomass.com/news-media/news-updates/ |title=News & Updates &#124; Drax BioMassDrax BioMass |access-date=2014-01-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219081227/http://draxbiomass.com/news-media/news-updates/ |archive-date=February 19, 2014 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>http://www.thepineywoods.com/PelletsJan13.html/{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

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

==Arts and culture==
[[File:Morehouse Parish, LA, Library IMG 2810.JPG|thumb|Morehouse Parish Library in Bastrop]]

A branch of the Morehouse Parish Public Library System is located in Bastrop.<ref>{{cite web | title = Bastrop Main Branch | publisher = Morehouse Parish Library | url = https://morehouseparishlibrary.com/bastrop | accessdate = November 5, 2023}}</ref>

==Government==
Bastrop is governed by a mayor, Betty Alford-Olive, and a city council, which includes:<ref>{{cite web | title = Meet the Mayor | publisher = City of Bastrop | url = https://www.cityofbastrop.com/meet-mayor | accessdate = November 5, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = City Council | publisher = City of Bastrop | url = https://www.cityofbastrop.com/city-council | accessdate = November 5, 2023}}</ref>
*Angela Moore, District A
*Charles Bradford, District B
*James Green, District C
*Darry Green, District D
*Howard Loche, District E

==Education==
[[Image:Bastrop (LA) High School IMG 2828.JPG|thumb|[[Bastrop High School (Louisiana)|Bastrop High School]]]]

===Public schools===
Public schools located in Bastrop are operated by the [[Morehouse Parish School Board]], and include:<ref>{{cite web | title = Home | publisher = Morehouse Parish School Board | url = https://www.mpsb.us/Home | accessdate = November 5, 2023}}</ref>
* [[Bastrop High School (Louisiana)|Bastrop High School]]
* Beekman Charter School
* Morehouse Elementary School 
* Morehouse Magnet School

===Private schools===
Prairie View Academy is a private school in Bastrop serving kindergarten to grade 12.<ref>{{cite web | title = Prairie View Academy | publisher = Prairie View Academy | url = https://www.pvacademy.com/ | accessdate = November 5, 2023}}</ref>

===Postsecondary schools===
[[Louisiana Delta Community College]] has a campus in Bastrop.<ref>{{cite web | title = Bastrop | publisher = Louisiana Delta Community College | url = https://www.ladelta.edu/campuses/bastrop | accessdate = November 5, 2023}}</ref>

===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]].<ref name=Star>{{cite news|last=Southwell|first=Zack|title=Prayer sparks controversy in Bastrop|url=http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20110521/NEWS01/105210325|access-date=May 21, 2011|newspaper=The Star|date=May 21, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525010151/http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20110521/NEWS01/105210325|archive-date=May 25, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The [[American Civil Liberties Union]] of Louisiana asked the school not to include a prayer in the May 20 graduation.<ref name=Star/> 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.<ref name=Star/> Fowler stated that after his objections became public he was ostracized by other students.<ref name=Lebo1>{{cite web|last=Lebo|first=Lauri|title=Student Says He's Ostracized for Objecting to Graduation Prayer|url=http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/laurilebo/4631/student_says_he%E2%80%99s_ostracized_for_objecting_to_graduation_prayer/|work=Religion Dispatches|date=May 20, 2011|access-date=May 20, 2011}}</ref>

==Media==
[[File:Bastrop Daily Enterprise newspaper, Bastrop, LA IMG_2821.JPG|thumb|right|''Bastrop Daily Enterprise'' newspaper office]]

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

==Notable people==
* [[Ronnie Coleman]], professional bodybuilder
* [[Bill Dickey]], [[Major League Baseball]]  Hall of Fame catcher for the New York Yankees
* [[Denzel Devall]], college football player
* [[Michael Echols]], member of the [[Louisiana House of Representatives]] 
* [[Stump Edington]], [[Major League Baseball]] player who died in Bastrop
* [[David 'Bo' Ginn]], state senator from Morehouse Parish from 1980 to 1988
* [[Luther E. Hall]], governor of Louisiana
* [[Stacey Hawkins]],  [[United States Air Force]] major general
* [[Ed Head]], [[Major League Baseball]] player who died in Bastrop
* [[Mable John]], [[Motown Records]] singer born in Bastrop
* [[Jim Looney]], [[National Football League|NFL]] player
* [[Bob Love]], [[NBA]] basketball player
* [[Calvin Natt]], [[National Basketball Association]] player who was born in Monroe, but attended Bastrop High School, later NLU and was an NBA All-Star with the Denver Nuggets
* [[Kenny Natt]], [[National Basketball Association]] younger brother of Kenny Natt, drafted by [[Indiana Pacers]] in 1980
* [[Willie Parker (defensive tackle)|Willie Parker]], NFL and WFL player
* [[Rueben Randle]], [[LSU Tigers football]], wide receiver, led Bastrop High School to a state championship, was drafted by the [[New York Giants]] in 2012
* [[Shane Reynolds]], [[Major League Baseball]] player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=reynosh01|title =   Shane Reynolds Stats|publisher= Baseball Almanac|access-date = February 2, 2013}}</ref>
* [[John Wesley Ryles]], country music singer, born in Bastrop in 1950
* [[Talance Sawyer]], played for the Minnesota Vikings; born in Bastrop
* [[Dylan Scott]], country music singer-songwriter
* [[Pat Williams (American football)|Pat Williams]], NFL player (Minnesota Vikings); born in Bastrop
* [[Hulon B. Whittington]], Medal of Honor recipient

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Bastrop, Louisiana}}
*{{Official|www.cityofbastrop.com}}

{{Morehouse Parish, Louisiana}}
{{Louisiana parish seats}}
{{Louisiana}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Bastrop, Louisiana|*]]
[[Category:Cities in Louisiana]]
[[Category:Parish seats in Louisiana|B]]
[[Category:Cities in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana]]
[[Category:1857 establishments in Louisiana]]