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Home , Florida Parishes, Pentagon Barracks, Republic of West Florida, West Florida

Pertinent Facts About the West Revolt: 1) The of were originally British and later Spanish 2) The Florida Parishes were not a part of the Louisi- ana Purchase 3) The West Florida Revolt is one of only three Contact Information known successful revolutions against Spanish Rule in

North America St. Tammany Parish: www.louisiananorthshore.com The West Florida 4) The of West Florida founded September Contact #: 800-634-9443 23, 1810 existed as an independent nation for 74 days Tangipahoa Parish: www.tangitourism.com 5) The Lone Star Flag originally served as the flag of Contact #: 1-800-542-7520 Republic Trail: the prior to use as the Bon- Livingston Parish: www.visitlivingstonparish.com nie Blue Flag and state Contact #: 225-567-7899 Exploring the Original 6) The West Florida Revolt was the first in a series East Baton Rouge Parish: www.visitbatonrouge.com of liberation movements in Spanish held territories in Contact #: 225-382-3575 America West Feliciana Parish: www.stfrancisville.us Contact #: 800-789-4221 Lone Star State For further information please contact the Center for East Feliciana Parish: www.felicianatourism.org Southeast Louisiana Studies at 985-549-2151 or Contact #: 225-634-7155 www.selu.edu/acad_research/programs/csls/ St. Helena Parish: [email protected] Contact #: 225-222-7000 Washington Parish: www.washingtonparishtourism.com Contact #: 888-827-7118

Brief History In the early morning hours of September 23, 1810, armed rebels stormed the Spanish fort at Baton Rouge initiating the West Florida Revolt. The Rebels proclaimed St. Francisville as their capital and raised the flag of the original Lone Star Republic. The presence of competing pro-Spanish, pro-American, and pro-independence factions, as well as the presence of scores of foreign agents, contributed to a virtual civil war within the Revolt as the competing factions jockeyed for position. The Republic of West Florida established a bicameral legislature, elected a , and dispatched an army to consolidate their control of the territory. The infant Republic eventually stretched from the to the Pearl River (the region Relevant Site Locations West Feliciana Parish today known as Louisiana’s Florida Parishes) and St. Tammany Parish St. Francisville, the origin point and seat of government endured for 74 days before being forcibly annexed by of the Republic of West Florida, is the site of the Re- American forces commanded by William C. C. A somewhat reluctant participant in the rebellion. Its public Park and primary monument to the Revolt lo- best known participant in the Revolt was William Coo- Claiborne on December 10, 1810. cated immediately adjacent to the West Feliciana Par- per who led opposition to the Revolt and was branded a ish Courthouse. The town and immediate environs

traitor by the rebels. See the historic marker at 68099 include the still standing homes of many key partici- The Trail Hwy 59 in Mandeville. pants of the Revolt some of which are open to visitors. Tangipahoa Parish The trail commences at Slidell proceeding thru Mande- East Feliciana Parish ville to Madisonville along Hwy 22 to Ponchatoula, The scene of intense maneuvering between all three A key region of support for the Revolt against Spanish then up Hwy 51 to Hammond and Amite. It then fol- factions involved in the Revolt, a historic marker de- rule, the Clinton and Jackson areas include many ante- lows Hwy 16 to Franklinton, and Hwy 10 to Greens- tailing this region’s convoluted involvement in the bellum homes, the original parish courthouse, Centen- burg, Clinton, Jackson, and into St. Francisville. From West Florida Revolt is located just off I-55 on the ary College, and the former Silliman Female Institute there it proceeds down to Baton Rouge and to Prairie- grounds of the Tangipahoa Parish Convention and Visi- among other historical sites. See the historical site lo- tors Bureau at 13143 Wardline Rd. in Hammond cated at 1610 Charter Street at the Gazebo in Jackson ville before crossing thru Galvez to Port Vincent, French Settlement and into Springfield where it con- Livingston Parish St. Helena Parish cludes at I-12 (Republic of West Florida Parkway). A historic marker located at Springfield Town Hall, St. Helena Parish was deeply divided between rebel 27378 La. Hwy 42 is situated near the site of King Fer- supporters and those who favored continuing Spanish dinand Fort where diehard Spanish loyalists made a authority due to the large land grants and tax free life final stand before being overwhelmed by the rebel the Spanish offered. See the explanatory marker lo- army cated at the St. Helena Parish Visitors Center on Hwy 10 just west of Greensburg East Baton Rouge Parish Washington Parish Baton Rouge contains the site of Fort San Carlos, the grave of General and Convention Even though Washington Parish remained on the pe- Street which runs through Mid-City and Downtown riphery of the main events, its people enjoyed lucrative Baton Rouge. The street was renamed after the 1810 Spanish land grants and the region offered a bastion of West Florida Constitutional Convention that was held support for the Spanish with a scattering of pro-rebel there. See the explanatory marker located between the sentiment among the population. See the historical Visitors Center and on River Road. marker located in Franklinton.