Fort Pike

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Fort Pike is a decommissioned 19th century fort which formerly guarded the Rigolets pass in Louisiana. It is now within the city limits of New Orleans, and was long a tourist attraction. It was damaged by the Hurricane Katrina storm surge in 2005.

Fort PikeCracks can be seen in the brick structure of the fort in this picture taken after Hurricane Katrina.
Fort Pike
Cracks can be seen in the brick structure of the fort in this picture taken after Hurricane Katrina.

The fort was built in 1818 to guard against British reinvasion of the United States. It came under the control of the Louisiana Continental Guard in 1861, just weeks before Louisiana joined the Confederacy. The Union reclaimed the fort in 1862 while resident troops were engaged at the Battle of Vicksburg.[1][2]

The fort was abandoned in 1890, and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.[3] Despite having changed hands multiple times in a history spanning at least two major wars, no cannon was ever fired in battle at Fort Pike.[2]

Before Hurricane Katrina, the fort's brick-and-mortar structure was decaying. The storm surge exacerbated the problems, temporarily completely submerging the entire fort, and destroyed adjacent state park buildings.[3] The site is scheduled to be reopened by the Louisiana State Parks Department in mid February 2008 [1]. [3][4]

It is also reported (via NPS signposts) that Seminole Indian prisoners were kept here after being captured, and before being sent further west.

Fort PikeBefore Katrina, looking towards the Rigolets Pass (US 90).
Fort Pike
Before Katrina, looking towards the Rigolets Pass (US 90).

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Fort Pike State Historic Site. Civil War Preservation Trust. Retrieved on 2006-03-21.
  2. ^ a b Civil War Military Sites. Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. Retrieved on 2006-03-21.
  3. ^ a b c Purpura, Paul. "Hurricane Katrina devastated Forts Jackson, St. Philip and Pike", Times-Picayune, 2006-03-21, pp. A-1, A-11. Retrieved on 2006-03-21. 
  4. ^ Status of Hurricane-Impacted Sites. Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. Retrieved on 2006-03-21.

[edit] External links

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