Galvez, Louisiana

Geobox Town
name = Galvez
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =
category = Unincorporated community


image_size =
image_caption =


flag_size =
symbol =
symbol_size =
symbol_type =
nickname =
motto =
country = United States
state = Louisiana
region = Ascension
region_type = Parish
area_imperial =
area_land_imperial =
area_water_imperial =
area_water_percentage = auto
area_percentage_round = 2
area_round = 1
location =
lat_d = 30
lat_m = 17
lat_s = 57
lat_NS = N
long_d = 90
long_m = 54
long_s = 17
long_EW = W
elevation_imperial = 16
elevation_round = 1
population_as_of =
population =
population_density_imperial =
population_density_round = 1
established_type =
established =
mayor =
timezone = CST
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
postal_code =
postal_code_type =
area_code = 225
area_code_type =
code2_type =
code2 =
free_type =
free =
free1_type =
free1 =


map_size =
map_caption = Location of Galvez in Louisiana
map_locator = Louisiana
map1 = Map of USA LA.svg
map1_caption = Location of Louisiana in the United States
website =

Galvez is an unincorporated community in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, United States, 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Baton Rouge. It is surrounded by the larger unincorporated community of Prairieville, with which it shares the 70769 ZIP code.

Historic "Villa de Gálvez"

British refugees and early Americans first developed the area just below the junction of the Amite River and Bayou Manchac in the second half of the 18th Century. In 1778, Count Bernardo de Gálvez, the Spanish Governor of Louisiana and viceroy of New Spain (Mexico) sent immigrants from the Canary Islands, hoping to establish a military stronghold against the British in West Florida, who controlled nearby Baton Rouge at the time. The area became known as "Villa de Gálvez", or "Galveztown". It was built in traditional Spanish "villa" layout, including a military fort.

After the British defeat in 1779, Galvestown lost its importance as military post and began to decline. Diseases such as smallpox and scabies spread in the area. Floods, hurricanes, and droughts destroyed crops. Due to the somewhat remote location from Baton Rouge, supplies were expensive to ship in.

In 1785, the population was down to 242. By 1804, only 28 families and less than 25 slaves remained. Although the Spanish fort, streets, sidewalks, and parks remained as ruins for well over a century, no efforts were made to preserve the site, and today only a state marker honoring the Canary Islander immigrants remains to mark the spot.

Modern Galvez

The modern location of Galvez is to the west of the original settlement, somewhat closer to Baton Rouge .

Geography

Galvez is located at coor dms|30|17|56|N|90|54|17|W|city. Elevation is 16 feet (4.88 m).