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Louisiana's old State capitol was constructed in Baton Rouge between 1847 and 1852 on a bluff looking out over the Mississippi River. It was designed by New York architect James Dakin . In 1859 the capitol was featured and favorably described in DeBow's Review the most prestigious periodical in the south. However a Steamboat pilot named Mark Twain loathed the sight of it stating " It is pathetic, that a whitewashed castle, with turrets and things ... should even have been built in this otherwise honorable place ". In 1862 , during the Civil War needless to say this structure was targeted by Union Forces , captured and used as a prison . Later it was used as a garrison for African-American troops under Gen. Grover. During this time it caught fire twice. By 1882 the state house was reconstructed by William A. Freret and used once again to house Louisiana's State government until 1932 when the new State Capitol which is still used today was completed. As you can see in the photo the Old State Capitol now a museum is under going another face lift. One thing remains the same ... The Old State Capitol with all it's history stands proudly in Baton Rouge on a bluff over looking The Mississippi.