27100 Chef Menteur Highway
New Orleans, LA 70129
30.166251,-89.737122
One thing that we have learned so far is that the waters surrounding New Orleans have been the target of many military attacks throughout the years. After the United States barely survived the Battle of 1812 against the British, President James Monroe ordered that a massive fortification of the southern waterways and coasts be erected. Construction of what would be known as the Third System fortifications began in 1816 and was officially complete in 1867. These forts consisted of several brick and masonry structures built along the coastal region and were able to protect New Orleans and the Mississippi River from any potential air or sea attacks.
Fort Pike, originally known as petit qoquille, or little shell, was one of the first of these Louisiana forts to be built. Completed in 1826, Fort Pike was named for the explorer and soldier General Zebulon Montgomery Pike who had explored a large portion of the Louisiana Territory. His
Overhead view of the fort's unique design. |
The fort served as several stations during its years of active duty. During the Seminole Wars in the 1830’s, Fort Pike served as a staging area for many troops on their way to Florida, and also served as a collection point for hundreds of Seminole prisoners and their black slaves who were being transported to Oklahoma. To turn the fort into a makeshift prison, cannons were removed from some of the casemates to convert them into cells. Anytime a building is ran as a prison for any given reason, one can only imagine what assaults and other acts of violence may have taken place.
One of several massive cannons that never saw actual battle. |
Despite the fact that there were no actual battles fought here, this does not negate the reports
Interesting View of one of the creepy corridors. |
No one is quite certain as to the origin of these strange ghostly encounters at Fort Pike. I never quite could understand how someone could be so attached to their job they cling to it even in the afterlife. Hell, I can barely stand my regular forty-hour work week. I yearn for the weekends and loathe their conclusions. I can assure you, if I am ever found haunting my place of work, call a priest, as my soul is truly locked in eternal damnation and needs to be set free!
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