Fort Macomb (Orleans Parish, New Orleans, Louisiana)
Orleans Parish, New Orleans · Louisiana · War of 1812, American Civil War
History & Significance
Built in 1822 under architect Simon Bernard, the fort originally named Fort Wood was designed to defend the narrow straits connecting Lake Borgne and Lake Pontchartrain. A Third System fort—masonry structures built to protect the nation's waterways from attack using superior materials and numerous cannons— Fort Macomb features the same general design as Fort Pike, located just nine miles away.
The fort received its permanent name in 1851 to honor General Alexander Macomb, a distinguished commander in the War of 1812. The fort was never used for offensive purposes, though it served as a staging area for supplies during the Second Seminole and Mexican Wars.
Confederate forces occupied the post from January 1861 until Union troops retook it following the capture of New Orleans in 1862. The First Louisiana Native Guard, one of the first all-black regiments to fight in the Union Army comprised of self-emancipated men and free men of color, performed guard duty at Fort Macomb during the Civil War.
A fire destroyed the barracks in 1867, after which the fort was largely abandoned by the U.S. Army and was decommissioned in 1871. The fort is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Key Facts
Map
View larger map ↗ · © OpenStreetMap contributors
🧳 Visiting
Sources
- https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/117
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Macomb
- https://www.lastateparks.com/historic-sites/fort-pike-state-historic-site
- https://hnoc.org/publishing/first-draft/story-behind-haunting-ruins-featured-true-detective-and-beyonces-lemonade