Chalmette Monument

The Chalmette Monument honors the American victory won there by General Andrew Jackson and his men in the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815. Proposed by Andrew Jackson in 1840, its cornerstone was laid on January 8, 1840. Construction began in 1855 or 1856 with state funds on a planned 200-foot obelisk, but work soon stopped for lack of money after reaching a height of 55 feet. In 1894, Louisiana placed the monument and grounds under the custody of the United States Daughters of 1776-1812, and construction resumed. Because of stability concerns, the design was reduced in height, and in 1908 the monument was completed at 100 feet, 2½ inches with financial help from Congress or the federal government. The United States Daughters of 1776-1812 cared for the monument and grounds until 1929, a span of 35 years that covered both state and federal ownership after Louisiana ceded title to the United States in 1907. In 1939 the monument and grounds were transferred to the Department of the Interior, and on August 10, 1939, Chalmette National Historical Park was established.

Chalmette, Louisiana · United States