Alsen, Louisiana

Alsen, Louisiana
Alsen, Louisiana is located in Louisiana
Alsen, Louisiana
Alsen, Louisiana
Alsen, Louisiana is located in the United States
Alsen, Louisiana
Alsen, Louisiana
Coordinates: 30°34′17″N 91°12′15″W / 30.57139°N 91.20417°W / 30.57139; -91.20417
CountryUnited States
StateLouisiana
ParishEast Baton Rouge
Elevation72 ft (22 m)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
70807
Area code225
GNIS feature ID542924 [1]
FIPS code22-01605

Alsen is an unincorporated community in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, United States. Established for freedmen, the community has been plagued by industrial pollution. The community is located less than 2 miles (3.2 kilometres) west of Baker and 6 miles (9.7 kilometres) southwest of Zachary and 2 miles (3.2 kilometres) east of the Mississippi River.

History

The community was founded in 1872 by an agency of the United States Department of War known as the Freedmen's Bureau designed to help freedmen in the aftermath of the American Civil War.[2]

Robaldson Field landfill is next to the community.[3] The polluted Devil's Swamp is adjacent to the community.[4] Stacy Kranitz made a documentary photographic series titled Fulcrum of Malice addressing the community and the industrial pollution surrounding it.[5]

Notable people

References

  1. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Alsen, Louisiana
  2. ^ Romke Hoogwaerts. "DEEP DOWN, CANCER ALLEY". thereservoir.net. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  3. ^ "Alsen landfill seeks renewal of permit amid complaints about odors, inadequate monitoring". February 17, 2018.
  4. ^ "Pollution concerns about this Louisiana swamp were raised decades ago. A new plan could help". September 19, 2022.
  5. ^ "Fulcrum of Malice".