Jackson Square began as the French Colonial place d'Armes from 1721 to 1768, laid out by Adrien de Pauger on March 29, 1721 according to the original city plan of Le Blond de la Tour, Engineer-in-Chief of Louisiana. It later served as the Spanish Colonial Plaza de Armas from 1768 to 1803. Here took place the flag ceremonies symbolizing the transfer of Louisiana from Spain to France on Nov. 30, 1808 and from France to the United States on Dec. 20, 1803. After completion of the Pontalba Buildings in 1851 by the Baroness Pontalba, and through her efforts, the square was redesigned and named Jackson Square. Its cast iron fence, designed by Louis H. Pilie, city surveyor, was erected in 1851 by Pelanne Bros. of New Orleans, and the statue of Andrew Jackson by sculptor Clark Mills was unveiled on Feb. 9. 1858.
