The Most Iconic View in Louisiana Is Also a Stunning Slice of History

What do you think of when you think of iconic views in Louisiana? Do you think of the Atchafalaya River Basin? Or maybe your mind wanders over to the New Orleans skyline seen from the Causeway. Or maybe the image of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival passes through your brain. 

I think the most iconic view in Louisiana is in Jackson Square, just steps from the Mighty Mississippi. It’s a photograph that all professional photographers want to add to their catalog. It’s a sight that every tourist in New Orleans wants to see. It’s a New Orleans landmark that’s been standing since the 1700s. Any guesses yet? 

The St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest Catholic cathedral still in use in the United States. The first church was built in 1718, though it was nothing like the grandiose cathedral we see today. It was but a mere wooden structure. 

Shortly after this first church was built, a second church was put in the works. This one was constructed of brick and timber and was completed in 1727. Sadly, this church was destroyed in the Great New Orleans Fire of 1788, which destroyed most of the city.

The third time’s the charm, right? The cornerstone of the third church was laid in 1789, and the building was completed in 1794. Keep in mind that this was a time when Louisiana flip-flopped between Spanish and French rule. The first church was built by French colonists, and the third was constructed under Spanish rule. 

St. Louis Church received cathedral rank in 1793, and it’s one of the oldest cathedrals in the United States. A few additions have been made over the years, including a central tower (1819) and a plan to enlarge the cathedral in 1849 to meet the needs of the ever-growing community.

During the reconstruction, the central tower collapsed, and it was determined that the sidewalls would need to be replaced, too. These changes meant that very little of the original Spanish structure survived. The building we know and love today dates back to 1850, with very little of the original architecture surviving. The bell from the bell tower did make it through, though, and it was able to be reused and remains in the cathedral today. 

Masses are still held at the cathedral, and you can visit the St. Louis Cathedral’s website for a mass schedule.

St. Louis Cathedral is open daily from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. if you would like to take a self-guided tour. A $1.00 donation is suggested. 

Do you think this is the most iconic view in Louisiana? Let us know in the comments. Read on to discover some of our favorite scenic views in Louisiana. 

While you’re taking in the sights and sounds of New Orleans, perhaps you’d want to check out one of the many ghost tours in New Orleans.