There’s something hauntingly beautiful about seeing photos of abandoned places. Given enough time, Mother Nature will always reclaim her property, and this spot is no different. While briefly occupied by Confederate soldiers during the Civil War, Fort Livingston in Louisiana has sat abandoned for nearly 150 years, and it’s interesting to see how nature has slowly reclaimed the area. Let’s take a closer look at this historic abandoned place in Louisiana.

Located on Grand Terre Island, Fort Livingston was once a coastal defense fort during the 19th century.
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It is the only fort on the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana and one of the biggest in the state.
In the early 1800s, the island was home to Captain Jean Lafitte and his pirate crew.
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The government forced Lafitte and his crew to leave in 1814 so that construction could begin on Fort Livingston. The location of Grand Terre was very important, as the fort was carefully designed to protect New Orleans from naval attacks by closely controlling the entrance to Barataria Pass.
Although initial construction began in 1834, work was suspended just a few months later that same year.
GoogleMaps/Chris Trahan
Construction resumed on the site in 1840, and in 1841, construction began on Fort Livingston itself.
However, it seems this fort was never meant to be, as the project was again halted at the beginning of the Civil War.
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Grand Terre was occupied by the Confederates for a short period during the conflict, but after the war ended, construction work was never resumed and Fort Livingston was never completed.

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What structures did exist were largely destroyed by a hurricane in 1872.
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At that time, Fort Livingston was permanently abandoned and the government returned control of the island and what was left of the fort to the state of Louisiana in 1923.
Today, nature is slowly reclaiming the remains of the fort.
GoogleMaps/Chris Trahan
The island was designated as a state Wildlife and Fisheries reservation in 1955 and was added to the National Register of Historic Place in 1974. Grand Terre became the Fort Livingston State Commemorative Area in 1979.
It now operates as a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Marine Laboratory and a Louisiana Department of Natural Resources wave-protection project.
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Although only accessible by boat, Fort Livingston and Grand Terre have become an intriguing attraction for those looking to explore the abandoned structures.
GoogleMaps/Chris Trahan
If you're interested in visiting, be aware that crossing this high-traffic area of Barataria Bay in a small boat can be dangerous and is closely monitored by the Coast Guard.

Did you know about Fort Livingston in Louisiana? Have you visited for yourself? Are there other abandoned places in Louisiana worth the trip? Let us know in the comments below — we’d love to hear all about your adventures!

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Fort Livingston in Louisiana

Beth C. | December 10, 2021

What are the top historic attractions in Louisiana?

Without a doubt, one of the best parts about visiting Louisiana is the opportunity to experience history. From cultural sites to museums, historic buildings, and more, Louisiana is positively brimming with impressive historic destinations. Some of the top historic attractions in Louisiana include:

  • Louis Armstrong Park in New Orleans
  • Port Hudson State Historic Park in Jackson
  • Marksville State Historic Site in Marksville
  • Fort St. Jean Baptiste Historic Site in Natchitoches
  • Louisiana State Capitol and Gardens in Baton Rouge
  • Longview-Evangeline State Historic Site in St. Martinsville
  • Audubon State Historic Site in St. Francisville
  • Shreveport Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport
  • Poverty Point World Heritage Sites in Pioneer
  • Louisiana's Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge
  • Los Adaes State Historic Sites in Robeline
  • Plaquemine Lock State Historic Sites in Plaquemine

For more information, check out this article on historic attractions in Louisiana.

What's the oldest restaurant in Louisiana?

Dining in Louisiana is always an adventure. Each restaurant has a story to tell, whether it's been around for 10 years or 200. There's something especially intriguing about historic restaurants, though, and we've identified some of the oldest in the New Orleans area:

  • Antoine's
  • Arnaud's
  • Broussard's
  • Cafe du Monde
  • Casamento's
  • Charlie's Steak House & Bar
  • Commander's Palace
  • Domilise's
  • Galatoire's
  • Mandina's
  • Pascal's Manale
  • Tujague's

Learn more about these iconic New Orleans restaurants and why you'll want to visit. Looking for more? Check out our Ultimate Guide To The Best Restaurants In Louisiana.

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Fort Livingston, Grand Terra Island, Grand Isle, LA 70358, USA