Is the French Quarter really French?
As a melting pot of French, Spanish, Cajun and Creole influences the French Quarter may have been born French but it was raised by the Spanish until the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. The way that cultures and nationalities have mixed in the French Quarter over time is reflected in the various architecture, music and food featured in this part of New Orleans.
Why is it called Jackson Square?
Originally, the center of New Orleans (Nouvelle Orléans) was called the Place d’ Armes. But Andrew Jackson’s victory in the Battle of New Orleans, in 1815 , resulted in a name change for this historic Square. Jackson Square became the center of New Orleans, complete with a statue of the victorious United States general.
How old is all of the ironwork in New Orleans?
The wrought and cast iron fences and gates are so associated with New Orleans that it’s assumed that they have been a part of the city since the very beginning. It may come as a surprise, but the wrought iron (worked by hand) and cast iron that you see on nearly every building in the French Quarter are Victorian additions and not original to the city. Tall wood columns used to accent New Orleans before the introduction of the ironwork and its permanent mark on the city.
