The Cabildo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Cabildo |
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The Cabildo has Spanish arches with a French mansard roof.
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Spanish Baroque; mansard roof and third floor in French-Revival |
| Location | 701 Chartres St., New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Construction started | 1795 |
| Completed | 1799 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Gilberto Guillemard |
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The Cabildo
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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| Part of | Vieux Carre Historic District (ID66000377) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000373 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | October 9, 1960 |
| Designated NHLDCP | December 21, 1965 |
The Cabildo, also known as "Casa Capitular," is a famous old building in New Orleans, Louisiana. It used to be the main office for the Spanish government when they ruled New Orleans. Today, it's part of the Louisiana State Museum. You can find it right next to Jackson Square and the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral.
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History of The Cabildo
A big fire in New Orleans in 1788 destroyed the first Cabildo building. Workers rebuilt it between 1795 and 1799. It became the new home for the Spanish city government in New Orleans.
In 1821, the Spanish symbol on the front of the building was replaced. An American eagle with cannonballs, made by an Italian artist named Pietro Cardelli, took its place. Later, in 1847, a third floor and a special sloped roof called a mansard roof were added. This new part was built in a French style.
The building got its name from the group that met there. This group was called the "Illustrious Cabildo," which was like the city council. The Cabildo was also where the Louisiana Purchase was officially completed in 1803. This was when the United States bought a huge amount of land from France. The New Orleans city council continued to use the building until the mid-1850s.
The Cabildo as a Courtroom
The main room in the building is called the Sala Capitular, which means "Meeting Room." This room was first used as a courtroom. The Spanish used it from 1799 to 1803. After the Louisiana Purchase, it was used by the Louisiana territorial court until 1812.
Later, from 1868 to 1910, the Cabildo was the main home for the Louisiana Supreme Court. Many important court cases were decided in the Sala Capitular.
Saving and Restoring The Cabildo
By 1895, the building was falling apart, and some people wanted to tear it down. But an artist named William Woodward worked hard to save it. He led a successful effort to make sure this historic building was kept and fixed up.
In 1911, after the state's highest court moved out, the Cabildo became the home of the Louisiana State Museum. The museum shows exhibits about Louisiana's history. You can learn about how the state was settled and the different groups of people who have lived there. In 1960, the Cabildo was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important historical place in the United States.
Recent Events at The Cabildo
On May 11, 1988, a fire badly damaged the Cabildo. The top part of the building and the entire third floor were destroyed. But the building was carefully restored and opened again to the public in 1994.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the area. The storm passed about 30 miles (48 km) east of downtown New Orleans. The Cabildo survived with only minor damage. After the storm, the Louisiana State Police even used the Cabildo's offices. From there, state troopers worked with police from New Mexico and New York to help patrol the city.
See also
In Spanish: Cabildo de Nueva Orleans para niños
- Louisiana (New Spain)
- Vieux Carré – the area around The Cabildo
- Louisiana Purchase
- Louisiana State Museum
- The Presbytère, a building similar to The Cabildo
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Louisiana
