Los Adaes, Archaeological site and National Historic Landmark in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana.
The 14-acre Los Adaes site contains the remains of a Spanish fort and mission complex built in the 1700s near the French settlement of Natchitoches.
Los Adaes served as the capital of Spanish Texas from 1729 to 1773, functioning as an administrative center and military outpost on the frontier of New Spain.
The settlement developed into a meeting point between Spanish soldiers, French traders, and Adaes Native Americans, leading to significant cultural exchanges and trade relationships.
Los Adaes State Historic Site operates Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 4 PM, with free admission and guided interpretive programs for visitors.
The distance of 800 miles from the nearest Spanish supply post forced Los Adaes residents to establish trade connections with French settlers, despite official prohibitions.
Location: Louisiana
Inception: 1721
Founders: José de Azlor y Virto de Vera
Website: https://nps.gov/places/los-adaes-state-historic-site.htm
GPS coordinates: 31.70860,-93.29330
Latest update: May 11, 2025 19:38
Louisiana preserves a diverse heritage through its plantations, museums, and natural areas. This collection includes sites where French colonial architecture can be seen along the Cane River, plantation buildings like Melrose and Frogmore that reflect cotton farming and African-American history, and the archaeological site of Poverty Point with its mounds dating to 1700 BC. Museums record the settlement of German communities in Germantown, Acadian culture, and the political history of the state at the old Capitol in Baton Rouge. Gardens and parks provide access to the region's characteristic landscapes. Avery Island Botanical Garden features 70 hectares of vegetation on a natural salt dome, while the bayou wetlands host a variety of wildlife. Places like the Chauvin Art Garden add a modern aspect with sculptures along a waterway. This route allows exploration of different periods in Louisiana's history, from pre-Columbian cultures to developments in the 20th century.
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