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Fort Jesup State Historic Site
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Zachary Taylor Tames No-man's Territory
at Fort Jesup
Fort Jesup is a reminder of a young
nation's growing pains and a relic of Louisiana's rich international heritage.
When the Louisiana Purchase Treaty of 1803 failed to
define clearly the western boundary of Louisiana, which was also the western
border of the country at that time, the United States claimed eastern
Texas and Spain claimed western Louisiana. The ensuing dispute gave rise
to the "Neutral Ground'', an area where the laws of neither nation
were enforced. Soldiers and settlers were kept out and rogues of various
stripes ruled the region. After the territorial boundary was finally fixed
at the Sabine River by the Florida Purchase Treaty of 1819, the United
States built Fort Jesup in 1822. Lieutenant Colonel Zachary Taylor established
and commanded the garrison, which was originally called Cantonment Jesup
in honor of Taylor's good friend, Brigadier General Thomas Sidney Jesup.
Taylor's troops managed to establish law and order in the Neutral Ground
and Fort Jesup remained an important military post for nearly 25 years.
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| In addition to history, Fort Jesup offers
22 acres of beautiful grounds where you can stroll, picnic, or even fish
in the two quiet little ponds. |
The museum, built in 1960, offers interesting exhibits
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During its life, Fort Jesup served the area in many ways. At various times
soldiers were sent out to clear the Sabine River, to serve as Indian agents,
or to help plantation owners along the Red River prevent slave insurrections.
In addition, the post helped settlers feel secure against Indian raids.
In 1845 Fort Jesup saw its most important duty. Lt. served as a staging
area for troops preparing to enter Texas at the beginning of the Mexican
War. The fort was abandoned in 1846 when it was no longer needed as a border
outpost. In 1961, Fort Jesup was designated as a National Historic Landmark
by the U.S. Department of the Interior and, as such, joined a select group
of properties which have been recognized for their importance in American
History.
Located on the historic San Antonio Road, the fort was once a large complex
of 82 structures. Four companies of the Seventh Louisiana Infantry made
up the first garrison of Fort Jesup. There were 141 officers and men. Another
51 soldiers manned Cantonment Taylor, a nearby temporary post established
in 1823. Together they made this area the most securely garrisoned outpost
in Louisiana.
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| The historic kitchen building is the only
remaining original structure. One of 6 kitchens originally at the fort,
it served 50 people. |
The Kitchen-Mess Hall
One small kitchen is the only historic structure remaining from the large
compound that once spread across the 22-acre site. It stands behind the
ruins of high stone pillars which once supported the main floor of one of
the soldiers quarters. The kitchen serviced the 20 to 25 men who were housed
in the adjacent quarters. Cooking was always done in a detached building
on plantations and military posts to reduce the danger of fire to people
and property and also to keep heat and cooking odors away from the living
areas.
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| Food was prepared and served
in each of the kitchen / mess buildings for two meals daily. |
Map to Ft. Jesup |
One of the museum
exhibits |
This one-story kitchen structure, restored to its original appearance, is
constructed of squared timbers laid atop one another with "waterproof"
or slanted interlocking joints at the corners. The fireplace is made of
stone and has a 71/2 foot opening in the hearth. The interior of this combination
kitchen-mess hall has been furnished as it would have been in the 1840's.
Sturdy benches and tables made of native cypress, storage bins, plate rocks,
washing and serving tables--all would have been built by the post carpenter.
Iron and pewter utensils would have been purchased by the quartermaster
in New Orleans and shipped up river to the fort. An old butcher block and
a few other original articles have survived the years and have been returned
to the kitchen. The ancient rustic structure stands as a tribute to the
men who felled the timber and with broad ax and adze built this outpost
in the Louisiana wilderness.
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| Museum exhibits |
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Officers' Quarters
The reconstructed officers' quarters houses a museum, meeting room and
information center. There were originally four officers' quarters buildings,
which were built in the 1830's and were located across the parade ground.
Historians of the Quartermaster General's Office and the National Trust
for Historic Preservation assisted in the reconstruction effort.
The story of Fort Jesup is told in the museum with the use of maps, documents,
illustrations and military artifacts. A diorama shows the fort under construction
in the 1830's. In the main building, the Commanding Officer's bedroom
is furnished as it would have appeared when General Taylor occupied it
in 1845.
Fort Jesup provides a unique glimpse of life when Louisiana was still
part of the nation's frontier. Today the pleasant noises of picnickers
beside the ponds have replaced the sounds of horses and the cadences of
marching drills. What was once an important part of our nation's system
of defense is now a site for everyone to learn about and enjoy . . . Fort
Jesup State Commemorative Area.
Programs at Ft. Jesup: Ft. Jesup regularly presents
programs of historical interest. Check the Area
Calendar of Events to see what is coming up.
Fort
Jesup State Commemorative Area
32 Geoghagan Road
Many, LA 71449
Phone: (318) 256-4117
1 (888) 677-5378 toll free photos
by Frank Dutton
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Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 by Frank Dutton, Many, LA 71449 - All
rights reserved
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