Fort St. Jean Baptiste is located on the banks of the Cane River in Natchitoches, the oldest town in the Louisiana Purchase. The reconstructed facility is an exact replica of the fort as it existed in 1732. It includes a long barracks building, small warehouse, chapel, mess hall and several Indian huts. The fort was a strategic outpost for the French to prevent the Spanish from advancing further into Louisiana. Park personnel wear period dress as part of the interpretive program.
