Infrogmation Of New Orleans/Flickr Creative Commons
Some folks don’t feel like they need to do all the typical Louisiana tourist spots like Bourbon St, the French Quarter, the casinos, the Tabasco Island, etc etc etc. Some folks prefer smaller crowds, less stress, and perhaps a little trip back into history as well. So today I thought we could discuss some of the lesser known Louisiana destination and luckily Louisiana has history by the boatload available for viewing.
Fort Jackson is in Plaquemine Parrish, right on the Mississippi Rivers as it heads south out of New Orleans and into the Gulf of Mexico. The only way to get there, without going by boat, is to take Hwy 23 south out of NOLA. Originally built in 1822 to protect New Orleans from further potential revenge raids from the British after they lost the War of 1812 and it’s named after Andrew Jackson, hero of the Battle of New Orleans as well as the sitting president when the fort was built. The fort was actually in use until after WWI and is now a National Landmark and available for viewing.
Fort St Phillip is another fort in Plaquemine Parrish built to aid in the defense of New Orleans, and survived a 10 day battle with the British in 1815, and another 12 day siege during the Civil War. It is on the western bank of the Mississippi like it’s down-river neighbor Fort Jackson. Fort St Phillip is slowing being reclaimed by nature after being damaged by hurricanes Katrina and Ike.
Over on Lake Borgne which is a tidal lagoon of the Gulf of Mexico is the eerily intact Fort Proctor. Resembling a medieval fort, it dates back to the Civil War being built during that conflict and ironically never used. It is reachable to boat or kayak and the nearest town is probably Chalmette.
These are interesting, off-the-beaten-track destinations that require a little more effort than the average tourist trap, but also represent chapters in our Nation’s history that have been fading from memory more and more as time passes, so go visit them before they fade away!