Natchitoches in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Fort Saint Jean Baptiste

Fort St. Jean Baptiste Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 3, 2017

1. Fort St. Jean Baptiste Marker

Inscription.
On this hill stood Fort Saint Jean Baptiste, westernmost outpost of the French Colonial Empire in the west, erected by Saint Denis under Iberville's orders in 1720, seat of the garrison of the Post of Natchitoches, the oldest town in the Louisiana Purchase, and of the French and Spanish governors until the cession of 1803, after which it was continuously occupied for many years by American troops.

Erected 1934 by Daughters of the American Revolution of Louisiana.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1720.

Location. 31° 45.267′ N, 93° 5.47′ W. Marker is in Natchitoches, Louisiana, in Natchitoches Parish. It is on 2nd Street north of Bossier Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at The American Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2nd St #200, Natchitoches LA 71457, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Louisiana.

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It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The American Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named American Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); Fort St. Jean Baptiste (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The American Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonel William Houston Jack (within shouting distance of this marker); Steel Magnolias (within shouting distance of this marker); Susan Harling Robinson Park (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Judge Porter House (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Natchitoches.

Also see . . . Fort Saint Jean Baptiste.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 3, 2017

2. Fort St. Jean Baptiste Marker

(Submitted on July 25, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 3, 2017

3. Fort St. Jean Baptiste Marker

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 3, 2017

4. Fort St. Jean Baptiste Marker

Marker located at lower left.

Louis Juchereau de St. Denis image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 3, 2017

5. Louis Juchereau de St. Denis

Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 670 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 25, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.