U.S. Army Supply Base New Orleans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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U.S. Army Supply Base New Orleans
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US Army Supply Base in New Orleans
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 Location in East New Orleans
Location in Louisiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 4400 Dauphine Street New Orleans, Louisiana |
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| Area | 25.33 acres (10.25 ha) |
| Built | 1919 |
| NRHP reference No. | 15001014 |
| Added to NRHP | February 1, 2016 |
The US Army Supply Base in New Orleans was a very important military base. It started in 1919 and helped the United States military for many years. This base supported soldiers and operations along the Gulf Coast of the United States. It played a key role through two big world wars. The base finally closed in 2005 and was sold to the city of New Orleans.
Contents
Building the New Orleans Army Base
Why New Orleans Was Chosen
A senator from Louisiana, Robert F. Broussard, thought New Orleans would be a great spot for a new army base. He talked to Henry Granville Sharpe, who was in charge of supplies for the US Army. This was during World War I, which started in 1917. Many new military groups were forming along the Gulf Coast. They needed a place to get their supplies.
When the Base Was Finished
Construction of the base was finished in 1919. At that time, it was one of only thirteen Army supply bases in the entire United States. It helped supply military groups in many states. These included Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. It even helped groups as far away as the Panama Canal Zone.
The Base Closes Down
Why the Base Closed
In 2005, the government decided to make some changes to military bases. This was part of a plan called the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. Because of these changes, many military units moved to other places. The New Orleans base was no longer needed.
What Happened After Closing
The base officially closed on September 15, 2011. It was then sold to the City of New Orleans. People were worried about the old buildings on the base. They wanted to make sure these historic structures would be protected. So, a special agreement was made to help watch over them.
A Historic Place: National Register Listing
Recognizing Its Importance
The US Army Supply Base in New Orleans is a very important historical site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 1, 2016. This means it's recognized for its historical value.
Key Historic Buildings and Features
There are nine main parts of the base that are considered historically important. These are called "contributing resources."
- Three large warehouses were used to store military supplies. They held everything from food to weapons between 1918 and 1945. When there wasn't a war, these storage spaces were rented out to businesses.
- The other six important parts include a recreation building, a switching building, and a cargo ramp. There are also three water tanks that were part of the original base.
Other Parts of the Base
Some other parts of the base are not considered historically important. These are called "non-contributing objects" or "non-contributing structures." They include things like the fence, a gazebo, and some smaller buildings. These parts were either built later or don't have the same historical value.
