Jackson Square is a historic park in New Orleans, Louisiana’s French Quarter. It was formerly known as the Place d’Armes (French) or Plaza de Armas (Spanish). Due to its significance to the history of the city and its location where Louisiana was admitted as a territory of the United States in 1803 as a result of the Louisiana Purchase, it was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1960. Jackson Square received the 2012 American Planning Association designation as one of the country’s Great Public Spaces.
Development
Jackson Square was created by landscape architect and architect Louis H. Pilié as a homage to the renowned Place des Vosges in Paris, France during the 17th century. Jackson Square (GPS +29.9575 -90.0630) is approximately one city block in size.
In 1856, the former military parade field was renamed in honour of the seventh U.S. president and hero of the Battle of New Orleans, Andrew Jackson, whose equestrian statue (a recasting of the Washington, D.C., statue) was constructed. From Micaela Almonester, Baroness de Pontalba’s original design in 1851, iron gates, paths, benches, and Parisian-style landscaping still stand. The Pontalba Buildings, which border the original square, were also constructed by her.
Louisiana’s rich colonial history is reflected in the flagpole, which represents the ceremonial transfers from Spain to France in 1803 and subsequently from France to the United States. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) renovated buildings, painted façades and enhanced the park’s landscaping in the 1930s. The pedestrian zone around Jackson Square was established in 1971 when the adjoining streets of Chartres, St. Peter, and St. Ann were blocked by automobile traffic.
Jackson Square, the most well-known historic site in New Orleans, is a charming park the size of a city block located in the French Quarter. Designed to resemble Paris, France’s Place des Vosges in the 17th century, it is the site of the Louisiana Purchase and holds significant importance in the history of New Orleans. Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States and hero of the Battle of New Orleans, is buried in the statue at its centre, which was constructed in 1856. After the historic battle in 1815, Jackson Square originally called Place d’Armes—was renamed in honor of the city’s victorious general. Place d’Armes served as the setting for gory public executions of slaves and criminals during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, where they were hanged and left to die.
Jackson Square views the great Mississippi River via Decatur Street and Washington Artillery Park. St. Louis Cathedral, which is situated on Jackson Square, is arguably the most well-known structure in all of New Orleans. The Louisiana State Museum is housed in the Cabildo, which features unique relics from New Orleans and Louisiana State history, and The Presbytère, which has two permanent exhibits: a Mardi Gras exhibit and a Hurricane Katrina exhibit. Both buildings border the Catholic Cathedral
The Artist of New Orleans
The square gained notoriety from the 1920s until the 1980s as a meeting spot for painters of all skill levels, including accomplished professionals, gifted young artists, amateurs, and caricaturists. The square first opened for business in the 1960s and 1970s as a location for New Age and paganism adherents to read tarot cards and palm readings. They are seated next to the park on St. Ann or St. Peter Street.
Artists, musicians, and a variety of street performers, including magicians and jugglers, share the space on Chartres St. that houses the Cabildo, the parvis of Saint Louis Cathedral, and visitors. Usually, the entertainers are paid in tips.
What are the points of attraction in Jackson Square?
The Pontalba Buildings, a block-long, four-story structure with identical red brick exteriors constructed in the 1840s, are situated on the other two sides of the square. The upper stories are home to the oldest continuously rented apartments in North America, while the ground floors are occupied by eateries and retail establishments.
The Jax Brewery building, which lies upriver from Jackson Square and diagonally across Decatur Street, is the original home of a popular beer in the area. Following its autonomous closure, the building was transformed into a variety of enterprises, such as eateries and speciality stores. Some shop spaces have been transformed into opulent residences in recent years.
Café du Monde is open 24 hours a day and is located downriver from the square, diagonally across Decatur Street. Situated within the old French Market, it is well-known for its chicory-prepared café au lait and its beignets, which have been served there nonstop since the Civil War. There have been hundreds of live music events at Jackson Square.
The French Quarter Festival and Jackson Square Caroling are held there annually. Formal concerts are held at the park from time to time.
