Fort St. John

Fort St. John sits near Bayou St. John, a calm waterway that flows through New Orleans with trees lining its banks and people walking along its shores. The area is quiet and inviting, a peaceful spot where the water moves slowly and the atmosphere feels relaxed and natural.

The fort was built more than 300 years ago by the French and later improved by the Spanish, serving as a defense point where the bayou connected Lake Pontchartrain to the city. During the War of 1812, soldiers stationed here helped protect New Orleans from British forces approaching by water.

In the 1800s, the site became a popular resort with a hotel that attracted visitors who wanted to escape the city heat and enjoy the lake breezes and scenery. The spot also hosted notable events, including lectures by famous writers, and later became a lively entertainment area with theaters and gathering places for locals and travelers.

Today, visitors can walk along Bayou St. John to see the area where the old fort once stood, now marked by ruins and green spaces. The neighborhood around it is residential and calm, with paths for walking, biking, and enjoying the water, offering a quiet retreat from the busier parts of New Orleans.

The site was home to early experiments with underwater boats during the Civil War, when an inventor built one of the first submarines there for testing. Though the trials were dangerous and lives were lost, the submarine later became a symbol of early innovation and bravery, displayed in museums and remembered in local stories.

Location: New Orleans

Address: 6400 Beauregard Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA

Website: http://old-new-orleans.com/NO_Spanish_Fort_Today.html

GPS coordinates: 30.02248,-90.08316

Latest update: December 3, 2025 10:50