Jackson Square
New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Marker Inscription
Jackson Square. French colonial Place d'Armes, 1721-1768. Laid out by Adrien de Pauger, March 29, 1721 according to the original city plan of Le Blond de la Tour, Engineer-in-Chief of Louisiana. Spanish colonial Plaza de Armas, 1768-1803. Here took place the flag ceremonies symbolizing the transfer of Louisiana from Spain to France Nov. 30, 1803 and from France to the United States Dec. 20, 1803. After completion of the Pontalba buildings in 1851 by the Baroness Pontalba, and through her efforts, the square was redesigned and named Jackson Square. Cast iron fence designed by Louis H. Pilié, City Surveyor. Erected 1851 by Pelanne Bros. of New Orleans. Statue of Andrew Jackson by Clark Mills, sculptor, unveiled Feb. 9, 1856. Orleans Parish Landmarks Commission. Leonard V. Huber, President. Raymond A. Mix, Vice President. Harold J. Smith, Jr., Treasurer. Sidney L. Villeré, Secretary. Samuel Wilson, Jr., Historian. Orleans Parish Landmarks Commission. 1961. [There is a relief sculpture image of the "Plaza de Armas 1803" at the top of the plaque.]
Erected by Orleans Parish Landmarks Commission
The Story
Laid out in 1721 by engineer Adrien de Pauger as the French colonial Place d'Armes, this square became the Spanish Plaza de Armas and, in 1803, the stage for the flag ceremonies transferring Louisiana from Spain to France and then to the United States. After the Pontalba buildings rose in 1851, the Baroness Pontalba had it redesigned and renamed for Andrew Jackson, whose equestrian statue was unveiled in 1856.
Why it matters
Here the Louisiana Purchase was formally enacted — the transfer that doubled the young United States and opened the path of westward expansion.
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Related people
- · Adrien de Pauger
- · Andrew Jackson
- · Baroness Pontalba
Related events
- · Transfer of Louisiana / Louisiana Purchase (1803)
Themes & tags
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