Mile 235.0 - 235 - 234.7 LBD Southern Univ., Istrouma (Scott’s) Bluff, Mississippi Loess Bluff #9

John Ruskey

20 Apr 2026 � 1 min read

235 - 234.7 LBD Southern Univ., Istrouma (Scott’s) Bluff, Mississippi Loess Bluff #9

Paddler, congratulations: you have reached the last bluff on the Lower Mississippi River! Even though you still have 245 miles to go to reach the Gulf of Mexico (South Pass route) this is a landmark worth noting. The Southern University straddles the last of the Mississippi Loess Bluff, Istrouma Bluff, or Scott’s Bluff, the ninth bluff that touches the river between Vicksburg and Baton Rouge. Southern University is a historic black college that sits on over 500 acres on Scott’s Bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. Originally founded in 1880 in New Orleans, Southern University became a land grant college for blacks in 1890 and moved to its current location in 1914. It has a long and fascinating story as a pioneering institution for civil rights, agriculture and law with many distinguished alumni. If you’re paddling during football season, be sure to catch a performance by the “Human Jukebox,” Southern’s legendary marching band. (LMRK)

Downtown Baton Rouge itself sits on a high ground also created by the bluffs, but none of this is visible today as it has been flattened and spread out for the building of streets and high rises. This is the first high ground when traveling from the mouth of the Mississippi River and one of many spots in South Louisiana reported to be a location where the famous Pirate Captain Jean Lafitte is said to have buried gold and treasure. Scott’s Bluff is also thought to be where the “Red Stick”, from which Baton Rouge gets its name, was encountered by French explorers. There is a live oak shaded park area along the top of the bluff on Southern’s campus that has a sculptural monument commemorating the Red Stick and a historical marker commemorating Southern University. It’s worth the hike up the bluff to visit the pretty campus if you have time. (LMRK)

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