The Louisiana Purchase
In 1801, Napoleon forced Spain to cede the Louisiana Territory
back to France by secret treaty.

This secrecy and the fact that it took months, sometimes years,
for information to travel from Europe to the New World frontier
caused Natchitoches to remain under Spanish rule until the
United States bought the land known as the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.

Right up to the arrival of the U.S. 2nd Infantry,
commanded by Capt. Edward D. Turner,
the flag of Spain flew above the Natchitoches Post.

In order for the Americans to take official command of the area,
a French flag replaced the Spanish flag for two hours,
to represent the two years the area was returned to France.

Then, for the first time, the Stars and Stripes flew above
Ft. St. Jean Baptist at 11:00 AM on April 20, 1804.

It was a celebrated occasion in our history.
The old French fort was replaced later that year by Fort Claiborne,
named after the Governor of Louisiana Territory,
William C.C. Claiborne.

Museum Note: The United States gave France $11,250,000 outright
and assumed claims of its citizens against France
in the amount of $3,750,000.
Interest payments incidental to the final settlement made the
total price $27,267,622 for the land which would create thirteen states.