New Orleans' Fort Pike Reopens

From the June 25, 2013, New Orleans Picayune-Times "Fort Pike set to reopen after being pounded by Hurricane Isaac."

I always love that name Picayune.  Wonder where they got it or what it means?

The old fort is set to reopen July 2nd after repairs caused by Hurricane Issac.  On the city's eastern edge and built after the War of 1812 to protect New Orleans (after the famous British attack in 1815 ended up in the famous American victory at the Battle of New Orleans).

It is a state historic site open 9 AM to 5 PM everyday but Monday when it is closed and located on US-90 at Rigolets.

Hurricane Isaac struck August 2012 and it cost $660,000 to repair damage, a lot of it from the 3-4 feet of marsh grass and mus that relocated to the fort's interior.  It had been closed for more than two years after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and closed again in 2008 after Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

I had never heard of this fort before I started this blog (and did come across it in my Civil War blog).  It was built to defend the navigation channel into New Orleans and covers 94-acres today.  Cost to get in is $4 and it was originally armed with a 32-pounder and several 24-pounder cannons.  During wartime, its garrison was 400 and 80 during peacetime.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

Next Time in New Orleans.  --Brock-Perry