ENROLLED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 179
BY REPRESENTATIVES ECHOLS, FARNUM, GADBERRY, MIKE JOHNSON,
MAGEE, NEWELL, STEFANSKI, AND THOMAS
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism to study and make
recommendations relative to repairs needed at the historic Pentagon Barracks.
WHEREAS, the historic Pentagon Barracks has played a significant role in the
history of the state; and
WHEREAS, from 1819 to 1823, after the U.S. Army selected the fort at Baton Rouge
to serve as an ordnance depot, the Army built four barracks buildings and a combination
commissary and warehouse building making up the Pentagon Barracks; the commissary and
warehouse building was torn down within years of being built, leaving the four barracks
buildings; and
WHEREAS, the ordnance depot grew to be the largest in the South, served as a main
supply depot during the Mexican War in 1847, changed hands between the Union and
Confederacy during the Civil War, and was deactivated as a military post in 1879; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana State University used the Pentagon Barracks to house cadets
and other students from 1886 until 1950 when they were renovated into apartments for LSU
faculty and other state employees; and
WHEREAS, in 1951, Governor Earl K. Long ordered that some of the space be used
as state offices while some apartments remained; and
WHEREAS, throughout its history the Pentagon Barracks has played host to many
American historical figures including several U.S. presidents and prominent military figures,
and in 1976, the buildings were placed on the National Historic Register; and
WHEREAS, the Pentagon Barracks is still used as apartments for state officials and
the Pentagon Barracks Museum contains many displays relating to the history of the facility;
and
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WHEREAS, the Pentagon Barracks has reached a state of disrepair and is in need of
refurbishment and preservation; and
WHEREAS, in consideration of its significant history, it is appropriate to take efforts
to maintain the structural and historical integrity of the Pentagon Barracks within the State
Capitol Historic District in accordance with the public policy of the state, as declared in R.S.
25:781, to provide for the historic preservation of the buildings and grounds so that they may
be preserved for the education, inspiration, pleasure, and enrichment of the citizens of this
state; and
WHEREAS, the division of historic preservation, office of cultural development,
Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism is charged with regulating the historic
character of the buildings of the historic district.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the Department of Culture, Recreation
and Tourism to study and make recommendations relative to historic repairs needed at the
Pentagon Barracks in keeping with the historic character of the buildings and to produce a
report of previous repairs and future actions needed to preserve the integrity of the structure
of the Pentagon Barracks.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in conducting its study, the department is urged
to utilize all available resources including experts from the division of historic preservation,
the division of archeology, and any other divisions to produce recommendations consistent
with United States Department of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic
Properties.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the department shall report its findings to the
House of Representatives and the division of administration prior to April 15, 2024.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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