Guest
The annual Spring French Marine gathering at Ft St Jean Baptiste in Natchitoches, LA is this Fri-Sat-Sun. Participants are invitation only (juried), but visitors are welcome. If any of y'all are in the area please come visit us. This fort is a correct reproduction of one 1st built here by the French ca. 1716 (the current one is based on plans drawn up by a visiting French military engineer in 1733). It was (and will be this weekend) manned by a unit of Marines. The site was also a major trading post for the French and a village of allied Natchitoches Indians (a Caddoan people). Civilians (hunters, traders, militia, etc) will also be present. My wife and I will be there all day Sat. but cannot be there all weekend due to other commitments. It is worth a visit, plus the historic town near the fort is worth a visit with many quaint shops and good eateries. This is a pre-1760 living history event and the out of sight visitors center has a nice film and small museum in it. The only battle of note that took place here was during the Natchez War (1730s)when a band of enemy Natchez Indians attacked the fort, but were driven off. So far we have not done a battle reenactment, but I think one is being planned. A sister site, Los Adaes, a Spanish fort of the same era lies 14 miles to the west and is also worth visiting.
