Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site — Attraction in Natchitoches

This is a highly detailed full scale replica of the original 1713 Fort built by St. Denis and his party of Royal French Marines and settler's that came to inhabit this part of French Louisiana. Originally intended as an outpost to guard against Spanish incursion from Texas it also served as a trading post for local Native Americans to bring furs and exchange for European made goods. This trading post/outpost would draw new colonists to the area from France and become the "oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase"... Natchitoches. The fort has doubled thick post walls to guard against attack by small arms & cannon. It faces the Cane River (Old Red River Channel) because that was the main highway of the time. Inside the stockade is barracks for troops, a jail, a church, the Trading Post/store, the store owners house, the Royal Governor's house, a kitchen, storage building and the baker's oven. Much of the wall material is of bousillage, mud & Spanish moss. Many of the Park Staff are in period costume carrying weapons & accoutrements of the period. As you take an interpretive tour with them they will take you through the entire fort, explain the details and fire their weapons so you will experience some sight, sound and smell of this Colonial outpost. When this fort was built in 1713 the Spanish felt this to be too close to their Eastern border. As a result they sent soldiers, priests and Lipon Apache slaves from Mexico City to build their own fort of Presidio Los Adaes just a few miles west on the El Camino Real (LA Hwy 6) at Robeline, LA. The Office of Louisiana State Parks has another park & active archaeological site there. Both Ft. St Jean Baptiste & Presidio Los Adaes should be visited during your stay in the area. These two opposing forts and their Garrison's had to be both vigilant and cooperative to survive in the wilds of...

You enter through the museum, just off Jefferson St. There is a $4 entry fee, but this includes the guided tour of the fort. The fort itself is a reproduction, built in the '70s from a 1700s map of the original. The reproduction is a few hundred yards from the original site of the fort, which is now private homes and Jefferson Street. You can opt for a scenic stroll down to the fort, or take a ride in the golf cart with the guide. Jeremy, the guide was very informative and congenial. He kept asking if we had any questions, but his presentation answered questions I hadn't thought of! A great historical presentation, with the latest updates from archaeologists and historians. I really enjoyed the short video of the fort's history. This was two...

Today was Christmas on the Cane at Fort St Jean Baptiste State Historic Site. It is replica of the original Military and trading Fort. The very knowledgeable staff was demonstrating life in the 18th century. They were dressed in period clothing demonstrating cooking, rifle shooting, blacksmithing and making fire. They also have examples of items that were traded such as furs and beads. It's a must see for all ages so mark your calendar...