Jackson Square, New Orleans
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For other uses, see Jackson Square.
| Jackson Square | |
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| (U.S. National Historic Landmark) | |
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| Location: | Bounded by Decatur, St. Peter, St. Ann, and Chartres Sts., New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Coordinates: | Coordinates: |
| Built/Founded: | 1721 |
| Architectural style(s): | Other |
| Designated as NHL: | October 09, 1960[1] |
| Added to NRHP: | October 15, 1966[2] |
| NRHP Reference#: | 66000375 |
| Governing body: | Local |
Jackson Square, also known as Place d'Armes, is a historic park in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana.
Prior to its expansion, early New Orleans was originally centered around what was then called the Place d' Armes. After the Battle of New Orleans, in 1814, the Place d' Armes was renamed Jackson Square, after general Andrew Jackson. In the center of the park stands an equestrian statue of Jackson erected in 1856, one of three in America by sculptor Clark Mills. The square was originally designed by architect and landscaper Louis H. Pilié, although he is only given credit for the iron fence.[citation needed] Jackson Square is roughly the size of a city-block( GPS +29.95748 -090.06310 ).
The design of Jackson Square was modeled on the famous Place des Vosges in Paris France.
The square originally overlooked the Mississippi River across Decatur Street, but the view was blocked in the 19th century by the building of larger levees. The riverfront was long given to shipping, but the administration of Mayor Moon Landrieu put in a scenic boardwalk along the river across from the Square; it is known as the "Moon Walk" in his honor.
On the opposite side of the square are three 18th‑century historic buildings which were the city's heart in the colonial era. The center of the three is St. Louis Cathedral. The Cathedral was designated a minor Basilica by Pope Paul VI. To its left is the Cabildo, the old city hall, now a museum, where the finalization of the Louisiana Purchase was signed. To the Cathedral's right is the Presbytère, built to match the Cabildo. The Presbytère originally housed the city's Roman Catholic priests and authorities, it was then turned into a courthouse at the start of the 19th century, and in the 20th century became a museum.
On the other two sides of the square are the Pontalba Buildings, matching red-brick block long 4‑story buildings built in the 1840s. The ground floors house shops and restaurants; the upper floors are apartments that are the oldest continuously rented such apartments in North America.
Diagonally across Decatur Street upriver from Jackson Square is the Jax Brewery building, the original home of a favorite local beer. After the company ceased to operate independently, the building was converted into several businesses, including restaurants and specialty shops. In recent years, some retail space has been converted into luxury condominiums.
From the 1920s through the 1980s the square was famous as a gathering place of painters of widely varying talents, including proficient professionals, talented young art students, amateurs, and caricaturists. However, in the early 1990s tarot card readers began to tell fortunes on Saint Peter and Saint Anne Streets. Chartres Street passing in front of Saint Louis Cathedral, the Presbetyre and the Cabildo with its accompanying benches has become the domain of musicians and varied street performers such as jugglers and magicicans. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960.[1]
Live music is a regular feature of the square. Occasional formal concerts are held here, but for a century or more musicians playing for tips have set up in the square, the subject of unending controversy with nearby residents..
Diagonally across Decatur Street downriver from the square is Café du Monde, open 24 hours a day, well known for the café au lait with chicory and beignets served there continuously since the 19th century.
[edit] Popular culture
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Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones. |
- In the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Image in the Sand", Joseph Sisko (Brock Peters) reveals that he met his first wife Sarah (Deborah Lacey) in Jackson Square.
- Jackson Square is one of the most important locations that can be visited in the computer game Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers. The park is a crucial site, with much of the game's action focusing on it and a number of characters making their appearance there.
- Edwin McCain has a song entitled Ghosts of Jackson Square on his 1999 Messenger album.
- Jackson Square is the setting of part of a scene in the film Angel Heart.
- Mason Jennings has a song entitled "Jackson Square" on this his album "Boneclouds."
[edit] References
- ^ a b Jackson Square. National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
- ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2007-01-23).
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