Memorial Day has just passed, it’s fitting to take a look at one
of the oldest facilities in the United States for housing
soldiers-Jackson Barracks, in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans on
St. Claude Avenue. It’s been through a lot since 1833-hell and
high water, literally. The old building could tell us some
stories about all the military heroes, known and unknown, who
served their country there, including some latter-day heroes who
helped get New Orleanians out of harm’s way during Hurricane
Katrina. You can visit the Jackson Barracks Military Museum and
see military artifacts dating back 200 years. That trip is
easily combined with a visit to the Chalmette Battlefield, part
of the Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve, where you can
see the site of the legendary Battle of New Orleans, fought
January 8, 1815. Jackson Barracks, originally known as New
Orleans Barracks, was built after the War of 1812. The first
militia, consisting of four infantry companies, were housed
there in 1837. Built on the river, the