March 04, 2025

Jackson Square, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Jackson Square, in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, featured in today's image, has a rich history dating back to the early 1800s. Originally known Place d'Armes and later Plaza de Armas under Spanish rule, it served a key site for military parades and public executions in the 18th and 19th centuries. After the 1815 Battle of New Orleans, the former military plaza was renamed Jackson Square in honour of Andrew Jackson, the hero of the battle and the seventh president of the United States.

The square was later redesigned by architect Louis H. Pilié, who drew inspiration from the famous Place des Vosges in Paris. In the centre of the square stands a striking equestrian statue of Andrew Jackson, sculpted by Clark Mills and installed in 1856, with the Saint Louis Cathedral prominently positioned in the background. This historic site is also where Louisiana was formally transferred to the United States in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. In 2012, the American Planning Association recognised Jackson Square as one of the Great Public Spaces in the United States.