Free Tour: Jackson Square

History, Art, and Architecture

Join me on an enchanting tour of Jackson Square, a historic public square nestled in the heart of old New Orleans. With a fascinating history dating beyond the colonization of New Orleans, you’ll learn some of the lesser told tales of the French Quarter and some embellishments that flavor the gumbo.

Why is Jackson tipping his hat?

How does the statue balance without supports?

What is the origins of the French Quarter ironwork?

Take a moment to soak in the surroundings, and admire the breathtaking history that led to your current view. Jackson Square’s timeless charm and vibrant spirit will undoubtedly leave an unforgettable impression on your journey through New Orleans.

© 2023 From the Deep
Alexandre de Batz’s 1735 painting Desseins de Sauvages de Plusieurs Nations features the name Bulbancha on its bottom edge. Collection Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University.

Bulbancha Forever: From NOLA to Minneapolis, a movement to revitalize indigenous name grows https://theostracon.net/bulbancha-indigenous-naming-jeffery-darensbourg/
“Photograph shows sculptor Clark Mills’ equestrian statue of Andrew Jackson in Jackson Square with St. Louis Cathedral in the background.”
Detroit Photographic Co., photographer
Created / Published [Detroit] : [Detroit Photographic Co.], [1900]
[Detroit] : [Detroit Photographic Co.], 1900.
“An image taken in 1850 or 1851 shows ongoing landscaping work in the square with the central spire of St. Louis Cathedral not yet enclosed. Also pictured are the new French-styled mansard roofs and cupolas at the Cabildo and Presbytère and one of the Baroness de Pontalba’s two rowhouses peeking out of the right-hand side of the image.” (©Pontalba Family, courtesy of the Baron de Pontalba) via The Historic New Orleans Collection

SOURCES

“Micaela Almonester and Andrew Jackson Myths” by Sean Michael Chick. Emerging Civil War. February 1, 2023. https://emergingcivilwar.com/2023/02/01/micaela-almonester-andrew-jackson-and-myths/ Accessed July 2023.

“Andrew Jackson: New Orleans’ Favorite President” Roadside America. https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/32276 Accessed July 2023.

A Guide to the Historic French Quarter by Andy Peter Antippas. The History Press. Charleston, SC. ©2013.

Negro Ironworkers of Louisiana: 1718-1900 by Marcus Christian. Pelican Publishers. Gretna, La. ©2002.

“Adinkra Symbols in New Orleans Ironwork” by Karel Sloan-Boekbinder from “The Anvils Ring”. http://flapjackslincoln.com/Abana-article.html Accessed July 2023. http://sidgraphics.net/full-ar_pdfs/AR_spring_09.pdf

“The Storytelling Ironwork of New Orleans: Discover the hidden histories told by the French Quarter balconies” by Morgan Randall. August 24, 2017. Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/ironwork-new-orleans-french-quarter-pontalba-adinkra Accessed July 2023.

“Artistry in Iron: Blacksmiths of New Orleans” Exhibit by Hermann-Grima and Gallier Historic Houses. https://hgghh.org/exhibitions/artistry-in-iron

“Julia Street Answers Your Questions” by Jared Perry. New Orleans Magazine. November 1, 2012. https://www.myneworleans.com/julia-street-answers-your-new-orleans-questions/ Accessed July 2023.

“Jackson Square” The Cultural Landscape Foundation. https://www.tclf.org/landscapes/jackson-square Accessed July 2023.

New Orleans As It Is. With a Correct Guide to All Places of Interest by W. E. Pedrick. Oliver Wendell Holmes Collection (Library of Congress). William W. Williams, Cleveland. ©1885.

New Orleans City Guide 1938 by the Federal Writers Project of the Works Progress Administration. Originally published Houghton Mifflin Company. Boston. ©1938.

“Clark Mills and the Jackson Equestrian Statue (1853-1856)” The Historic New Orleans Collection. https://www.hnoc.org/virtual/andrew-jackson/clark-mills-and-jackson-equestrian-statue-1853–1856 Accessed July 2023.

“Place D’Armes (Jackson Square)” Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve. National Park Service. https://nps.gov/places/places-darmes.htm. Accessed July 2023.

“Louisiana: A History” PBS March 16, 2020.

“New Orleans History Starter Pack: a Beginner’s Guide to Understanding the Crescent City” by THNOC Visitor Services January 21, 2022. https://www.hnoc.org/publications/first-draft/new-orleans-history-starter-pack-beginners-guide-understanding-crescent Accessed July 2023.

“Jackson Square” by Robert Ticknor. The French Quarterly magazine. August 1, 2016. https://frenchquarterly.com/history/jackson-square Accessed July 2023.

“A Brief History of Jackson Square: from a Soldiers Stomping Ground to a Tourist Attraction” by Jason Wiese. The Historic New Orleans Collection. August 5, 2021. https://www.hnoc.org/publications/first-draft/brief-history-jackson-square-soldiers-stomping-ground-tourist-attraction Accessed July 2023.