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Picture Set [1], [2]
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve was authorized by Congress in 1978. This park consists of six
separate sites. The visitor center and park headquarters are in New Orleans' French Quater. The sites in
Lafayette, Eunice and Thibodaux are basically museums on the Cajun culture.
The French Quarter Visitor Center shares the history and traditions of the city and the delta.
Display depicting the Indian nations in Louisianna around the time of European exploration.
Shortly after the French founded New Orleans in 1718, engineers drew up a formal city plan for the city---the
area that is now call the French Quarter. The city expanded beyond those original boundaries to become an
important American port. People arrived from all over the world, joining the early inhabitants of the area
to create a distinct culture rich in food, music, and tradition. The ethnic groups settled in different areas,
each developing a unique dialect. One of the displays discussing the dialects.
Chalmette Battlefield is about six miles down river from New Orleans. This is the site of the last great battle
of the War of 1812 between the United States and Britain. The date of the battle was January 8, 1815. The
national cemetary is on the east side of the site.
The visitor center.
The Chalmette Monument was built to honor Andrew Jackson and recognize the importance of the battlefield.
The Louisiana legislature appropriated funds to purchase the land and create a monument in 1852. After decades
of funding problems the monument was completed in 1908. In 1939 it became the Chalmette National Historical Park
and later was included in the Jean Lafitte National HIstorical Park.
A display inside the visitors' center
Andrew Jackson's troops created this trench and rampart in preparation for the battle with the British.
The canon in the foreground looks as if it came from a ship. Ship canons were used in the battle. Jean Lafitte,
a smuggler and pirate, operating from a base south of New Orleans was persauded to assist in the battle.
In return he was granted a pardon for his past activities.
The British troops, 7500 in number, were camped east of this field. When the command was given the troops
crossed the field in attempt to overpower Jackson's troops. Jackson's troops consisted of anyone willing
to take up arms. Various militia and ethnic groups and added up to about 5000.
A monument in memory of Major Sam Spotts. He shot the first gun in the Battle of New Orleans.
The Malus-Beauregard House was built in 1830. It is named for Rene Beauregard, its last owner. It was never used
as a plantation but a country home for wealthy people. The National Park service acquired the property in 1946.
It probably served as the Chalmette Battlefied Visitor Center at one time.
A portion of the Chalmette National Cemetary.
The visitor center at the Barataria Preserve outside Marrero. The preserve offers a taste of Louisiana’s wild wetlands.
The preserve has 20,000 acres of bayous, swamps, marshes, forests and over 300 species of wildlife. Boardwalk and dirt
trails exist through the preserve and waterways can be explored by canoe.
Exhibits at the preserve visitor center highlight how the wet lands were built, the importance of the area,
and the relation between the land and its people. A display of some wildlife that are in the preserve.
A nature trail behind the visitor center.
Cypress knees within a cypress forest.
Marshy grass land at the end of the trail.
Picture Set [1], [2]
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