Fort St. Phillip

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The first fort on this location "San Felipe", was constructed in the 18th century during the Spanish control of Louisiana.

The fort was updated by the Americans and served a role in protecting the United States from the British invasion in the War of 1812, seeing 9 days of battle in January 1815, the 9th to the 18th. Specifically, an action against British Navy vessels attempting to attack or bypass the fort.

The current fort was constructed along with Fort Jackson on the river's western bank as a coastal defense for New Orleans and the Mississippi, on urging of Andrew Jackson. The fort was the site of a twelve-day siege in April 1862 by the Union army during the American Civil War.

Construction of the Third System sections of this fortification began in 1841.
As of 1851, it was intended to be armed with twenty-eight 24-pounder guns, thirteen 18-pounder guns, fifteen 12-pounder guns, three field pieces, fifty-five 8" heavy seacoast howizters, one 13" mortar, two 10" heavy mortars, two 8" light mortars and five coehorn mortars for a total of 124 guns.

The main fort was heavily damaged during the battle for New Orleans in 1862.

The site has been privately owned for decades and the owner has rejected pleas for the site to be preserved as a historical site.