Spanish Fort

Fort Spanish Custom House is a former military installation on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans, Louisiana, that controlled access to the Bayou St. John waterway. The brick walls and remaining structures now stand within a public park, surrounded by grass and trees near the lakefront.

French troops built an initial fortification in 1701 to protect trade routes to the young colony. Spanish authorities later replaced it with a larger brick structure named San Juan del Bayou, before the stronghold lost its military function in the early 19th century.

The name comes from Spanish colonial rule when the stronghold guarded the entrance to Bayou St. John. During the late 19th century the site became a social gathering place with restaurants and dance halls where early jazz performers played.

The grounds are open as a public park and allow visitors to explore the remaining fortress structures while learning about New Orleans military past. The location near the lakefront makes it suitable for a short walk or a stop during a longer outing.

An iron submarine, believed to be the Confederate vessel Pioneer, was displayed in the park between 1880 and 1908 as an attraction. The craft drew onlookers at the time before it was removed, and its exact history still raises questions today.