Fort St. Philip, Military fort and National Historic Landmark on the Mississippi River bank, Louisiana.
Fort St. Philip is a masonry fort on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, situated approximately 40 miles upstream from its mouth in Plaquemines Parish. It stands across from Fort Jackson and retains visible walls and structural elements from its military past.
The first fort here, Fort San Felipe, was built in the 18th century under Spanish rule. During the War of 1812 its garrison repelled a British naval attack, and Andrew Jackson cited the fleet's failure to pass it. The present fort was rebuilt alongside Fort Jackson on Jackson's urging, and in April 1862 it endured a twelve-day Union bombardment that decided the capture of New Orleans. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960.
From 1978 to 1989 the fort complex housed Vella-Ashby, a nonsectarian spiritual community of up to 16 members called the Christos family. Its name joins the surnames of the site's original and later private owners. They lived in three two-story officers quarters and an officers club left from the 1898 Spanish-American War refortification.
Reaching the fort requires boat or helicopter transportation due to its remote location and deteriorated surrounding levees. Visitors should expect that a trip here demands careful planning and specialized access arrangements.
From 1978 to 1989 the fort housed Vella-Ashby, a nonsectarian spiritual community of up to 16 members called the Christos family, who lived in three two-story officers quarters and an officers club left from the 1898 Spanish-American War refortification. The name joins the surnames of the original and later private owners.
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