re: What was Baton Rouge like in the 1970s?

One of the greatest things in the world when I was a kid was going to Shakeys pizza and Fun Fair Park.
When I got a little older it became Cortana Mall and hitting up Champs to check out the latest Dr.J Converse or Nike shoes. Dang those were good times.

Then when I started driving we’d go to movies at either- Bon Marche Cinema 8, Cortana, Bon Marche’s older cinema, University, even the old Broadmor occasionally. A few times we went to to the Northpark drive in. But in the summer that was a beast.

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Blue Bayou didn't open until 1989 and Dixie Landings didn't open until 1999.

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Wrong!!! (Kind of)

Blue Bayou opened the summer of 1984, it was called Fantasea Water Park. I know, because I worked there. Summer of 85, I was a life guard there and was probably the best summer of my life. There were no rides yet, but they were in the plans. It was owned by Victor Coursey (Coursey Blvd).
It closed after the summer of 86 (maybe 87), and the old man that owned Fun Fair Park bought it, moving FFP there, and named it Blue Bayou. It reopened summer of 88 or 89.

In the early ‘70s, weed was $10 for an ounce in a plastic bag. Edwin Edwards was a crook, just as he had been in the ‘60s and would still be in the ‘80s. Austin completely outstripped BR in the music scene even though they started the decade in the same place. Oil and gas went through the roof. Then, Jimmy Carter, disco and cocaine happened. The End.

I have a feeling I'll get the OT answer to this, but what changed it? And when? I was born in the 90s and went to LSU in the early 2010s, so I've never known another BR.

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John Parker's forced bussing in the early 80s caused a lot of white flight to Ascension and Livingston Parish although we'd have probably ended up here eventually either way.

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FIFY



And

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IIRC except for bars, BR did not yet have any businesses or stores open past 9 or 10pm.

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I believe this is correct. Business' were also closed on Sundays due to Blue Laws. It was a big deal in BR when they did away with these laws.

Baton Rouge in the 70's and 80's was just a large, small town so to speak. Really great place to grow up.

Baton rouge on the 80s seem a lot better . Nostalgic. I think I'm same age as you

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Parachute pants and Farrah Fawcett hair

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That would be Painter's pants.

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Tabby’s had those ice cold fish bowl goblets for 50 cents on Wed.

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That was Chris’ Bar on North Street with fishbowls. Had good lunches and lingerie shows.

Had a package liquor window on the side because blacks were not allowed inside.

Tabby’s had a couple of ice chests with Budweiser in the can and that was about it.

Mike Anderson’s was in a small old grocery store where you say and the old lady that owned it lived on the top floor. We used to buy those oyster loafs and man they were good.

I remember watching The Jeff Pollard Band at The Kingfish and they later changed name to Louisiana’s Leroux.

Saw Three Dog Night at Independence Hall circa 1972. The Quonset Hut building next to I believe it was The White House Inn-both of which were on the site of the current Claiborne Building. Across the street where the First Circuit Court of Appeals building is was the former-original Our Lady of the Lake Hospital where I was born.