Rare Old Battle of New Orleans, 1874 Map: Jackson Square, Custom House, State House, Lafayette Square, Mississippi River

The "Battle of New Orleans for Freedom, September 14, 1874" is a captivating historical artifact, meticulously crafted by the esteemed City Surveyor, Thomas Sydenham Hardee. This map provides an intricate portrayal of the infamous Battle of New Orleans, a pivotal yet tragic episode in the post-Civil War Reconstruction era. Hardee's detailed cartography vividly illustrates the positions and movements of the combatants, offering a rare and invaluable glimpse into the turbulent events that unfolded in the heart of New Orleans.

This city map is particularly notable for its detailed depiction of significant neighborhoods and landmarks. It showcases the strategic locations of the White League and Metropolitan Police along key streets such as Canal, Poydras, and Camp. Landmarks like the Custom House, State House, and Jackson Square are prominently featured, providing a rich historical context to the battle. The inclusion of these landmarks not only aids in understanding the flow of the conflict but also highlights the architectural and civic importance of these sites during the 19th century.

The map's depiction of the Mississippi River, which flows majestically along the city's edge, adds another layer of geographical and historical significance. The river was a crucial artery for commerce and transportation, and its presence on the map underscores the strategic importance of New Orleans as a port city. The detailed rendering of the riverbanks and the levee system further emphasizes the city's reliance on this mighty waterway for its economic and social vitality.

Hardee's map also highlights the city's vibrant public spaces, such as Lafayette Square and Tivoli Circle. These areas, marked by their lush greenery and central locations, served as key gathering points for both residents and combatants during the battle. The inclusion of these parks and squares not only enhances the map's aesthetic appeal but also provides insight into the urban planning and community life of New Orleans in the late 19th century.

The historical significance of this map extends beyond its detailed cartography. It serves as a poignant reminder of the broader political and social struggles of the Reconstruction era. The "Roll of Honor" and the "History of the Revolution" sections offer a narrative of bravery and sacrifice, while also shedding light on the contentious and often violent efforts to shape the future of Louisiana. This map is not just a representation of a city; it is a testament to a critical moment in American history, captured through the expert lens of Thomas Sydenham Hardee.

Streets and roads on this map

• Baronne
• Camp
• Canal
• Carondelet
• Chartres
• Common
• Conti
• Customhouse
• Dauphine
• Delta
• Dryades
• Front
• Fulton
• Girod
• Gravier
• Julia
• Lafayette
• Levee
• Magazine
• Natchez
• Poydras
• Prieur
• Rampart
• St. Charles
• St. Joseph
• Tchoupitoulas
• Treme
• Ursuline
• Water

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Custom House
• State House
• Jackson Square
• Lafayette Square
• French Market
• New Orleans and Mobile Rail Depot
• Mississippi River
• Boston Club
• RR Freight Depot

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Battle of New Orleans for Freedom, September 14, 1874
• Creation date: 1874
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Thomas Sydenham Hardee
• Context about the mapmaker: T.S. Hardee was the City Surveyor of New Orleans.
• Themes and topics:
• Themes: Detailed depiction of the Battle of New Orleans, a failed revolt by the White League against the Reconstruction government of Louisiana.
• Historical context: The map captures the positions and movements of combatants during the battle, highlighting the conflict between the White League and the Metropolitan Police.
• Countries and regions shown: The map focuses on the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
• Design and style:
• Detailed street plan: Includes landmarks, military positions, and the flow of the battle.
• Textual elements: Contains a "History of the Revolution" section and a "Roll of Honor" listing participants.
• Historical significance:
• Short-term consequences: The White League temporarily took control of New Orleans, installing John McEnery as governor.
• Long-term consequences: The rebellion weakened the Republican-dominated Metropolitan Police, leading to the White League regaining control of the city by 1876 and the end of Reconstruction in Louisiana.
• Rarity: The map is extremely rare with few known copies in institutional holdings.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.