Fort Jesup facts for kids
|
Fort Jesup
|
|
An army kitchen on the grounds of Fort Jesup state historic site
|
|
 Fort Jesup
Location in Louisiana
Fort Jesup
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Sabine Parish, Louisiana, United States |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Many, Louisiana |
| Area | 21 acres (8.5 ha) |
| Built | 1822 |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000381 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | July 4, 1961 |
Fort Jesup was an important army post built in 1822. It was located about 22 miles (35 km) west of Natchitoches, Louisiana. The fort's main job was to protect the border between the United States and New Spain (which is now Mexico). It also helped bring law and order to a wild area called the Neutral Strip.
The fort was first called Cantonment Jesup. It was active from 1822 until 1846. After the army left, the land was owned by the U.S. government until 1869. Today, you can visit the Fort Jesup State Historic Site to learn about its past.
Contents
A Place of No Law: The Neutral Strip
After the United States bought the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, there was a big argument. America and Spain couldn't agree on where their border was. To avoid a war, they made a deal. They decided that the disputed land would be a "Neutral Strip." This meant neither country would send soldiers there.
This Neutral Strip stretched from the Sabine River to the Arroyo Hondo. It covered the area that is now Sabine Parish, Louisiana. For years, this region had no government or police. It became a place where outlaws and criminals could hide. This changed in 1819 when the Adams–Onís Treaty finally set the border at the Sabine River.
Zachary Taylor and the Fort's Mission
In 1822, Colonel Zachary Taylor was sent to the area. He later became a famous general and even a President of the United States. Taylor built Cantonment Jesup because an earlier fort was too far from the Sabine River. His mission was to bring order to the former Neutral Strip.
Taylor quickly brought peace to the area. He gained valuable experience and became very popular. His soldiers, known as the Army of Observation, stayed at the fort. They watched the Texas territory as it changed hands. First, it was Spanish, then Mexican, and finally, it became an independent republic.
In 1845, General Taylor led his troops from Fort Jesup into Texas. This action helped start the Mexican–American War. His victories in this war made him even more popular. This popularity helped him become president.
Why Fort Jesup Closed
The United States won the Mexican–American War. As a result, America gained control of Texas. This meant Fort Jesup was no longer needed to guard 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 Becomes a State Park
By the 1930s, only one building from the original fort remained. It was the kitchen from the soldiers' barracks. People from the nearby town of Many, Louisiana worked hard to save it. They raised money to fix the building and turn the area into a park.
In 1956, the Louisiana Office of State Parks took over the site. In 1961, Fort Jesup was recognized as a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important historical place.
Today, the old kitchen has been fully restored. It's decorated with furniture that looks just like it did long ago. A building that served as an officer's quarters has also been rebuilt. It now works as a museum for visitors.
You can find the fort site on Louisiana Highway 6. It's about 7 miles (11 km) northeast of Many.
See also
