It is the oldest neighborhood in Baton Rouge, and its 49.4 acres (20.0 ha) area, comprising 258 contributing properties, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 31, 1978.

Spanish Town was at one time particularly renowned for possessing a higher-than-average proportion of gay residents, though this has waned over the years with urban gentrification.

The first plans appeared at 11 December 1804 by surveyor Vicente S. Criado, for 14 families at 350 toises (700 m) from Fort San Carlos by request of the governor of the district.

In 1805, Carlos de Grand Pré (Charles Grandpre), administrator of the Baton Rouge District, drew up the layout of an area east of the fort 'out of cannon shot' that became known as Spanish Town.

[4] In the years following the Civil War, Spanish Town was mostly populated by African Americans, many of them freed slaves looking for work in Baton Rouge.

[5] There is a tradition in Baton Rouge involving pink flamingos that originates from the celebration of Spanish Town Mardi Gras.