The French Quarter, or Vieux Carre, was designed in 1721, by Adrien de Pauger, and named after the French royal families and Catholic saints.  In 1763, Spain gained rulership over New Orleans, and in 1788 a fire destroyed 80% of the Quarter.  The buildings that make the French Quarter so famous today are actually of Spanish design, not French. 

Jackson Square, originally known as Place d’Armes, was designed in the 18th century to be used as a military parade ground.  However, it was more notorious for being the site of public executions.  It was later renamed in honour of the hero of the Battle of New Orleans, Andrew Jackson.

Cabildo was built under the Spanish rule between 1795 and 1799, and served as the certre for New Orleans government until 1853.  After which, it became the headquarters of the Louisiana State Supreme Court.  It is famous for being the site where the Louisiana Purchase transfer occurred in 1803, and for where the Plessy v. Ferguson, or "separate but equal" decision was made in 1892.