Baton Rouge was founded by French explorers in 1719. It was established as a French colonial settlement under the name “Istrouma” at the convergence of the Mississippi River and the Amite River. The settlement was later renamed Baton Rouge, which means “red stick” in French, referring to a red pole that marked the boundary between tribal hunting grounds. Over the centuries, Baton Rouge has grown and developed into the capital city of Louisiana.