French Louisiana colony (1699–1803)

1. French settlement begins at Fort Maurepas

   Apr 1, 1699Labels: Fort Maurepas, Pierre Le, Gulf Coast

   • Fort Maurepas
   • Fort Maurepas FR

2. Fort de la Boulaye built to guard Mississippi

   Jan 1, 1700Labels: Fort de, Mississippi River, French garrison

   • Fort Boulaye
   • Fort Boulaye FR

3. Crozat receives royal charter for Louisiana commerce

   Sep 14, 1712Labels: Antoine Crozat, Royal charter, Louis XIV

   • Founders Archives
   • Bienville

4. Fort Rosalie established among the Natchez

   Jan 1, 1716Labels: Fort Rosalie, Natchez, Mississippi River

   • Fort Rosalie
   • MS Archives

5. Company of the West receives Louisiana trading privileges

   Aug 1, 1717Labels: Compagnie d, John Law, Louisiana company

   • MSHistoryNow
   • John Law Co

6. New Orleans founded as a strategic river port

   Jan 1, 1718Labels: New Orleans, Mississippi River, French colonial

   • PRC New Orleans
   • Louisiana NF

7. Capital relocated to New Orleans

   Jun 1, 1722Labels: New Orleans, Biloxi, colonial capital

   • Bienville
   • New Orleans History

8. Ursuline nuns begin organized services in New Orleans

   Aug 7, 1727Labels: Ursuline nuns, Catholic Church, New Orleans

   • Catholic Enc
   • Ursuline Mission

9. Natchez revolt destroys Fort Rosalie settlement

   Nov 28, 1729Labels: Natchez Revolt, Fort Rosalie, Natchez people

   • Natchez Revolt
   • Fort Rosalie

10. Secret Treaty of Fontainebleau cedes Louisiana to Spain

    Nov 3, 1762Labels: Treaty of, France, Spain

    • Fontainebleau
    • 64 Parishes

11. Treaty of Paris ends war and redraws Louisiana

    Feb 10, 1763Labels: Treaty of, Seven Years, Louisiana

    • Britannica
    • US Historian

12. O’Reilly formally takes possession for Spain

    Aug 18, 1769Labels: Alejandro O, Spanish Louisiana, New Orleans

    • LA Rebellion
    • O Reilly

13. Treaty of San Ildefonso retrocedes Louisiana to France

    Oct 1, 1800Labels: Treaty of, Spain, France

    • San Ildefonso
    • LA State Museum

14. Louisiana Purchase treaty signed in Paris

    Apr 30, 1803Labels: Louisiana Purchase, France, United States

    • National Archives
    • CBP Timeline

15. Spain transfers Louisiana to France in New Orleans

    Nov 30, 1803Labels: Spain, New Orleans, Pierre-Cl ment

    • NPS Transfer
    • Lewis Clark

16. Louisiana formally transferred from France to the United States

    Dec 20, 1803Labels: Cabildo, United States, Louisiana transfer

    • NPS Transfer
    • Natl Archives