Fort Jesup facts for kids
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Fort Jesup
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An army kitchen on the grounds of Fort Jesup state historic site
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 Fort Jesup
Location in Louisiana
Fort Jesup
Location in the United States
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| Location | Sabine Parish, Louisiana, United States |
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| Nearest city | Many, Louisiana |
| Area | 21 acres (8.5 ha) |
| Built | 1822 |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000381 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | July 4, 1961 |
Fort Jesup is a historic site in Louisiana. It was built in 1822 to protect the United States border. This fort was also known as Cantonment Jesup. It helped keep peace in an area called the Neutral Strip. The fort was used by the army from 1822 until 1846. After the army left, the government owned the land until 1869.
History of Fort Jesup
After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the United States and Spain disagreed. They couldn't agree on where their border was. To avoid a war, they made a deal. A piece of land would be "neutral." This meant neither country would send soldiers there. This area was called the Neutral Strip. It stretched from the Sabine River to the Arroyo Hondo. Today, this land is part of Sabine Parish, Louisiana. The Neutral Strip had no laws or police. This changed in 1819 with the Adams–Onís Treaty. This treaty finally set the border at the Sabine River.
Zachary Taylor's Role
In 1822, Colonel Zachary Taylor set up Cantonment Jesup. He later became a famous general and even a President of the United States. His first army camp, Fort Seldon, was too far away. Fort Jesup was closer to the Sabine River, where there had been problems. Colonel Taylor quickly brought order to the Neutral Strip. This helped him gain experience and become popular.
His soldiers were called the Army of Observation. They watched the Texas area closely. Texas changed from Spanish to Mexican control. Then, it became its own independent country. In 1845, General Taylor led his army into Texas. This started the Mexican–American War. His victories in this war made him very popular. This popularity helped him become president.
Why Fort Jesup Closed
The United States won the Mexican–American War. They gained control of Texas. This meant Fort Jesup was no longer needed to protect the border. The army officially left the fort in 1846. Over time, the buildings fell apart. In 1869, the government sold the land to private owners.
Fort Jesup State Park
By the 1930s, only one building from the fort remained. It was the kitchen from Barracks 4. People from the nearby town of Many, Louisiana wanted to save it. They raised money to fix the building. They turned the area into a park for everyone to visit.
In 1956, the state of Louisiana took over the site. In 1961, Fort Jesup was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important historical place.
Today, the old kitchen has been fixed up. It looks like it did when soldiers lived there. A new building has also been built. It looks like an officer's living quarters. This new building now serves as a museum. You can visit Fort Jesup State Historic Site. It is located on Louisiana Highway 6. It's about seven miles (11 km) northeast of Many.
