Jackson Square, a 2.5-acre park located in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, is perhaps best known for the equestrian statue of Andrew Jackson that has resided there since 1856. Designed by French architect Louis Pilie and known originally as the Place d’Armes, the square is as old as the city itself. Bounded by Decatur, St. Ann, St. Peter, and Chartres streets, the square is now the location of live concerts, street artists, and visited by two million visitors per year. It was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and added to the Register of Historic Places in 1966.
During the 1920 great American author Sherwood Anderson (1876-1941) hosted literary salons at this location. Many future literary giants came here including Gertrude Stein, William Faulkner, and Carl Sandburg. Anderson played a large role in helping jumpstart their careers. The marker was placed here in 1998 by the Friends of Libraries USA and Friends of the New Orleans Public Library.
The monumental Cabildo building located today on the historic Jackson Square was constructed between 1795 and 1799. The original Cabildo building was destroyed in the great fire of 1788, along with over 70% of the cities buildings. The Cabildo was the seat of the Spanish colonial government. The word "cabildo" means "city council" in Spanish. This building was the site of the official Louisiana Purchase transfer ceremonies in 1803. It functioned as the seat of the New Orleans city council until the mid-1850s. Later, the "Sala Capitular" room was used the Louisiana Supreme Court and became the site of several landmark cases. Today, the Cabildo hosts the Louisiana State Museum's extensive colonial Louisiana and New Orleans history exhibit.
This building was completed in 1840 and is best known for the 1920s, when it was the home of William Faulkner. It was here where Faulkner wrote his first novel in 1925, Soldiers’ Pay. Faulkner's novel tells the story of an aviator returning home to Georgia after World War I. The original home was built for another famous person, the widow of Jean Baptiste LaBranche. Her home was built upon the ground where the French Colonial prison once stood.
St. Louis Cathedral is among the oldest churches in the United States and one of New Orleans' most notable landmarks. Its prominent facade overlooks Jackson Square and has stood at the heart of old New Orleans since its opening in 1727. St. Louis Cathedral has played host to some of histories most prominent figures as well as having been a sight of several tragedies.
Designed in 1791 to match the Cabildo and St. Louis Cathedral, the Presbytere, originally called Casa Curial or "Ecclesiastical House" was built on the residence of the Capuchin monks. However, despite original intentions and its current name, the Presbytere was never used by the clergy. Instead, it held commercial enterprises until 1834, when it became a courthouse. In 1911, it became a part of the Louisiana State Museum.
The Louisiana State Museum's 1850 House is an antebellum row house furnished to represent life in mid-nineteenth-century New Orleans. It is located in a row house building on the northern side ofJackson Square in the French Quarter. There is another such building on the opposite side of the square and together they are known as the Pontalba Buildings. Together, they comprise a National Historic Landmark.
Built in 1828, these six row houses make up Cucullu Row, the oldest intact row in New Orleans’ historic Vieux Carré. The row was once home to historic sites such as the Desporte Pharmacy, open from 1887 to 1970. Before Cucullu Row existed, Pierre Baron’s celestial observatory stood in this area. In 1782, the Conde Market replaced the observatory, which was replaced in 1784 by a fish market. In 1788, one of the city’s worst fires destroyed the market area. James Lambert and Louis Lemoyne built the row in 1828 for Simon Cucullu.
Madame John's Legacy is a historic house museum in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. Built in 1788, it is one of the oldest houses in the French Quarter, and was built in the older French colonial style, rather than the Spanish colonial style of that time. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1970 for its architectural significance. The property is owned by the Louisiana State Museum.
Located within New Orleans’ French Quarter since 1972, the Historic Voodoo Museum pays homage to the history, mystery and legacy of the centuries old religion. What it lacks in size, the museum makes up for with spooky artifacts, art, human skulls, and statues that make you continually look over your shoulder. The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 6:00 and has a $5 admission fee.
As much fog and mystery surround this building as surrounds the life of one of New Orleans’ favorite sons, Jean Lafitte. The former (perhaps) Blacksmith shop that bears the Lafitte name is now a famous bar located in the city’s French Quarter. It was built sometime between 1722 and 1732 making it one of the older buildings within the city. It is rumored the Lafitte brothers used the building to plan their privateering operations and as a front to sell goods smuggled into the city. Despite its unknown past, it was designated as a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
The Marie Delphine LaLaurie Mansion strikes horror in the minds of all who know its history. In this building, Marie Delphine LaLaurie tortured, mutilated, and murdered a number of the family's slaves. This lavish residence was constructed for the Lalaurie family in 1831. A fire in 1834 revealed both dead and tortured slaves in the home's upstairs attic. Though it is difficult to distinguish fact from fiction, it is commonly understood that Madame LaLaurie's actions were horrific enough to enrage the otherwise complacent white, slave-holding residents of the city. While historians may never fully know the true horror that went on in the house, the tragic accounts known are recalled and remembered out of respect for those who suffered at her hands.
Built in 1860, the Gallier House provides one of the best examples of classic New Orleans history and architecture. Located in the French Quarter, the house is bordered by many other historical landmarks, like the Beauregard-Keyes House and the Lalaurie House. This home was designed and built by the father-son duo James and James Jr. Gallier. They were two of the most prominent architects in New Orleans and designed many of the other landmarks in the city including the French Opera House. This house was known for being very advanced for its time and is one of the most architecturally beautiful homes in New Orleans and became a National Historic Landmark in 1974.
Complete in 1752-53, the Old Ursuline Convent is the oldest building in the Mississippi River Valley. The Old Ursuline Convent is located in the French Quarter and now functions as a museum.
Built in 1826, the Chartres Street house is named after two of its most famous former occupants: Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant (P.G.T.) Beuregard and American author Frances Parkinson Keyes. However, over several generations, many other notable Americans also lived in this historic house, including a world chess champion and a Swiss consul. Additionally, the house was at various points used for a liquor business (during which a famous murder occurred), a home for homeless men, and Alcoholics Anonymous. With its rich and diverse history, the home tells an interesting story of New Orleans.
This historical marker indicates the birthplace of Danny Barker. Barker is best known for his musical accomplishments, but was also a historian, teacher, author, actor, and a painter. He played on over 1,000 records during his illustrious musical career.
The oldest public market in the United States, the Old French Market was established by the Spanish in 1782 in response to their need to protect goods from the the elements. Prior to the establishment of this market, most goods were sold near the river. The market has expanded and moved slightly over the years, but today occupies the same area as it did in 1791. The market boasts a wide range of produce and culinary goods, including a number of restaurants and coffee houses.
The Old U.S. Mint Building in New Orleans was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975 as the nation's most prominent of the first branch mints and illustrating the movement to decentralize the American monetary system. Built in 1835-38, the Old U.S. Mint is the only building in America to have served both as a United States and a Confederate Mint. In 1966 the building was transferred to the State of Louisiana through the Historic Surplus Property Program. Since 1981 the Old Mint Building has been part of the Louisiana State Museum Complex.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This historic walking tour starts with the highlights of Jackson Square before heading into the heart of the French Quarter. The tour includes well-known landmarks such as the St. Louis Cathedral and the Cabildo, as well as lesser-known landmarks related to music, mysticism, and open markets.
