From 1846 until the Civil War, the Orleans Artillery occupied the building. Peter and Orleans Streets between Royal and Chartres Streets. In 1836, the Louisiana legislature passed a bill to construct the “State Armory” or Arsenal on this property, fronting St. The prison was demolished in 1837 to allow for the construction of the Arsenal. Even though a thousand dollar reward was offered for his capture, Pierre Lafitte was not apprehended and served honorably at the Battle of New Orleans. In 1814, Pierre Lafitte, brother of Jean Lafitte, was imprisoned in chains in the Calabozo, until his escape on September 6, 1814. (Some linguists suggest that the 19th-century American slang term for prison, 'calaboose,' derives from this Spanish term.) Louis Cathedral and the Cabildo, rebuilt the “Calabozo,” or prison. Two years later, in 1795, Don Andres Almonester y Roxas, who financed and built St. The Spanish rebuilt the prison, which was destroyed once again by fire in 1793. From approximately 1728, the French Guard House and prison occupied the site until destroyed during the Good Friday Fire of March 21, 1788. Peter Street stands directly behind the Cabildo.

Another suggests that pirates and other criminals were often seen being escorted to the prison via this route. One legend maintains that pirates traveled this alley to enter the town from the Mississippi River. Much legend swirls around Pirate’s Alley and its location between the original Spanish prison and the Cathedral. Halfway down the alley, a lamppost marks its intersection with Cabildo Alley, which extends (the width of the Cabildo) to St. Formerly known as “Orleans Alley,” the passage is one block long, extending from Chartres Street at Jackson Square to Royal Street. Louis Cathedral, Pirate’s Alley appears on the left, between the Cathedral and the Cabildo. By Mary Ann Wegmann, Jenny Star, Louisiana State Museum & University of New Orleans History Department Text

Map of the battle of new orleans