The fort was occupied off and on for various military purposes from its completion until after World War I, when it served as a training station.

The Confederate-controlled fort was besieged for 12 days by the fleet of U.S. Navy Flag Officer David Farragut.

Fort Jackson fell on April 28 after the Union fleet bombarded it and then sailed past its guns.

[9] In the 1960s, Leander Perez threatened to turn Fort St. Philip, on the opposite side of the river, into a prison for advocates of desegregation ("outside agitators") who entered the parish.

Rather, it is located approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) southwest from Fort Jackson in Plaquemines Parish's District 9 office at 38039 Hwy 23, Buras, LA 70041.

[15] The fort was used to treat oily birds in the early weeks of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.