Lockridge Cottage is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the Jackson Historic District. It was probably built by John Eagan, who purchased the property in April 1820 from the James H. Ficklin estate. In August 1820, Eagan acquired a tavern license, suggesting that the building may have been built for use as a tavern. In March 1821, Nicholas Lockridge, a native of Ireland and a veteran of the Creek Indian War, bought the site, and it became a family residence. Before arriving in Feliciana Parish, he had lived in Washington, the capital of the Mississippi Territory. In 1830, he went to Texas and registered his intent to settle in Stephen F. Austin's colony, but he appears to have died there before completing the registration process. His widow, Alice Hammer Lockridge, continued to live in the house until her death in 1854. The house was built as a two-room Tidewater South-style, Creole raised cottage with a full porch to the rear. Early in its history, the rear porch was enclosed, adding two rooms and a half to the floor plan. The two original rooms shared a central double fireplace, and an outbuilding once stood on the southwest corner of the lot, probably as a detached kitchen.