Located in the heart of the French Quarter, Jackson Square has become one of the most prominent attractions in New Orleans, Louisiana. Surrounded by historic buildings and featuring distinctive walking paths and notable monuments, it has served as a place of connection and community across the entire history of the region.
Originally Known as Place d’Armes
In the early 1700s, New Orleans was established as a French trading camp but would soon become a formal colony. This new community would be centered around the Place d’Armes (weapons’ square), which was used as a public square, military parade ground and open-air market. The proximity of the square to seats of government and St. Louis Cathedral made it one of the most important places in the city. That notoriety was further cultivated when it became adjacent to the site where the Louisiana Purchase was signed in 1803, making the region and city part of the United States.
The process to create the monument as it is recognized in the present began in 1815, after when the square was renamed “Jackson Square” after Andrew Jackson for his efforts to win the Battle of New Orleans in one of the great upsets of military history. This was soon after an iron fence, formal gardens, walkways and benches had been installed. Four sculptures that represent the four seasons, one near each corner of the square, were placed in the square around this time as well. Finally, in 1856, an equestrian statue of Jackson was installed, finalizing the distinct look and feel of the square.
As the center of the first municipal historic district in the United States, Jackson Square is the epicenter of the history and culture of New Orleans, with shopping, commerce and activity emanating from the area across numerous iterations of the city. Becoming a literal and figurative center of the community has allowed it to attract residents and visitors for distinct but powerful reasons.
The Most Notable Attraction in New Orleans
Recognized as the most notable attraction in New Orleans, imagery of Jackson Square and the statue of Andrew Jackson are utilized on maps and guides to the city as well as on pieces of merchandise. This has cultivated further activity at places like the famous Cafe du Monde, which is located across the street from Jackson Square, where visitors come from all over the world to get coffee and beignets.
To further highlight the impact it has had on the local community, an open-air artist colony has resided at Jackson Square for decades. Local artists continue to paint, draw and display their work on the square’s iron fences as they have ever since it became famous as a gathering place for artists of all types. Artists selling in Jackson Square or behind St. Louis Cathedral have to have a license from the city that requires them to sell their own work and to sell only originals.
Further establishing these community connections, Jackson Square hosts the French Quarter Festival and Caroling in Jackson Square every year but has been the site of hundreds of events over the years. These include everything from live television network broadcasts to New Year’s Eve celebrations to concerts. It is also one of the most popular spaces in New Orleans for weddings and staging formal photography sessions
Lit up in spectacular fashion at night and an essential part of practically every tour of New Orleans, Jackson Square has been designated as one of the Great Public Spaces in the United States, serving as a gateway to everything that New Orleans has to offer. All of these elements demonstrate the far-reaching impact of a landmark that becomes the center of activity for both residents and visitors.
A Vision of Connection
Welcoming over 2 million visitors every year, Jackson Square has become the number one destination for visitors to New Orleans. The physical connection that it has to the history and layout of the community has been cultivated with notable features and monuments, enabling Jackson Square to become an essential element of the past and future of the entire region.
