Jackson Square

Jackson Square is a public plaza in the French Quarter of New Orleans that covers roughly one hectare of green space enclosed by wrought-iron fencing. Paved paths cross through the park and meet at a bronze equestrian statue in the center, around which lawns and low hedges are arranged.

The plaza was established in 1721 under French colonial rule as a military parade ground and originally bore the name Place d'Armes. The renaming occurred in 1851 to honor Andrew Jackson, who defended the city from a British invasion during the War of 1812.

The central plaza takes its name from the mid-19th century as a memorial to a military victory. Visitors today find an open forum for local artists who hang their paintings along the wrought-iron fencing while street musicians perform in the background.

The three streets surrounding the plaza have been closed to motor vehicles since the early seventies and now form a pedestrian zone. Visitors can enter the central green space through several gates and rest on benches along the paths while enjoying views of the surrounding historic buildings.

The sculptor Clark Mills created the central bronze equestrian statue in 1856, which is considered a technical achievement because the horse rears up on its hind legs alone. Three identical versions of this monument were cast in total, now standing at different locations across the United States.