The Fort Pike State Historic Site is a historic United States military fort and grounds that are home to rich heritage sites. Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, this decommissioned 19th-century fort has stood guard over the waters outside New Orleans since after the Battle of 1812, and was designed to withstand attacks from land or sea.
Fort Pike is located on a strategic peninsula between Lake Borgne and Lake Pontchartrain, roughly 24 miles from the French Quarter. The fort also has a smaller twin located nearby, the historic Fort Macomb.
Fort Pike State Historic Site - one of the highlights of 10 Things to Do Off the Beaten Track in New Orleans (Read all about New Orleans here)
photo by N'Awlins Contrarian (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
Highlights of the Fort Pike State Historic Site
Fort Pike bore witness to the Trail of Tears, as Native Americans were forced from their long-held tribal lands into unsettled parts of the American West. During the Florida Seminole Wars, captured Native Americans were held in Fort Pike before being forced further West.
The Fort served as a staging area for American troops on their journey south during the Mexican War in the late 1840’s. Fort Pike was captured by the Confederacy during the Civil War, until 1862, when the Union Army occupied New Orleans. It then served as a training ground for former slaves as part of the United States Colored Troops..
photo by N'Awlins Contrarian (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
Good to know when visiting the Fort Pike State Historic Site
The Fort Pike State Historic Site sustained repeated damage during hurricanes Katrina in 2005, Gustav in 2008, and Isaac in 2012, forcing the site to be repeatedly closed for repairs. Due to budget cuts, the site is often only open to the public via pre-arranged tours, which can be arranged by calling the Baton Rouge Administrative Office.
Nearby is Fort Pike’s smaller twin, Fort Macomb, which is also not typically open to the public. Fort Macomb has been included in media like Beyonce’s visual album, Lemonade, and the television series Into the Badlands.
photo by NOLADG (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
Fort Pike State Historic Site
Location: 27100 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70129, USA
Open: By appointment only
Phone: +1 504-255-9171
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