Jackson Square

Historical narrative

Jackson Square, the leafy heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter with St. Louis Cathedral serving as a backdrop, began in 1721 as the Place d’Armes, a military parade ground and gathering place at the center of the city’s original plan. It later served as the setting for important ceremonies, including the transfer of Louisiana to the United States in 1803, and was renamed Jackson Square in 1851. Today, its character is shaped by the remarkable collection of people who bring the square to life. Artists line the surrounding iron fence, displaying paintings, portraits, and other creations in an open-air gallery that has been a familiar part of the square for generations. Musicians fill the air with jazz and other New Orleans sounds, while street performers, dancers, magicians, and other entertainers add an element of delightful unpredictability. With its gardens, historic architecture, lively performers, and unmistakable New Orleans character, Jackson Square feels less like a park than a stage where the city performs itself.

Oil

© Stephen B. Hales — All Rights Reserved