The Cabildo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Cabildo is an important historical building in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The Cabildo was built between 1795-99 as the home of the Spanish municipal government in New Orleans. The building took its name from the governing body who met there -- the "Illustrious Cabildo," or city council. The Cabildo was the site of the Louisiana Purchase transfer ceremonies in 1803, and continued to be used by the New Orleans city council until the mid 1850s.
The building's main hall, the Sala Capitular ("Capitol Room"), was originally utilized as a courtroom. The Spanish used the courtroom from 1799-1803, and from 1803-1812 it was used by the Louisiana territorial superior court. After the American Civil War, it was the home of the Louisiana Supreme Court from 1868-1910. The Sala Capitular was the site of several landmark court cases, including Plessy v. Ferguson.
In 1911 the Cabildo became the home of the Louisiana State Museum. In 1960 it was designated a National Historic Landmark.
The Cabildo was extensively damaged by a fire in 1988, but it was restored and reopened to the public in 1994. In 2005, the Cabildo survived Hurricane Katrina with relatively minor damage.
