New Orleans, Orleans Parish story
A Legacy in the Square
Long before it was the tourist hub we know today, Jackson Square was a military parade ground known as Place d'Armes. Laid out in 1721, this open space played a pivotal role in th…
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Long before it was the tourist hub we know today, Jackson Square was a military parade ground known as Place d'Armes. Laid out in 1721, this open space played a pivotal role in the 1803 Louisiana Purchase transfer. It wasn't until 1851 that the square was renovated and renamed to honor General Andrew Jackson, with his famous equestrian statue unveiled a few years later in 1856.
Today, it's bounded by Chartres, St. Ann, Decatur, and St. Peter Streets, serving as the heart of the French Quarter.
It's a place where military history, political shifts, and the riverfront all meet in one single, historic vista.
Updated June 2026