Georgia Plantations

Archibald Smith Plantation

Archibald Smith Plantation Home

This plantation was originally set up in 1838 in Roswell. The plantation grounds, the original buildings and the original 19th-century home survived the Civil War untouched. Three generations of the Smith family preserved whatever they owned - thanks to that, when the plantation re-opened as a museum in the early 1990, the visitors could admire the original items as they were over 150 years ago.

Historic Jarrell Plantation

This plantation is located northeast from Macon in Juliette, Georgia. Established in 1847, the plantation was famous for its cotton production. Gradually it developed into a large farm, containing, among other things, a mill, a sugar cane press and some workshops. In 1974 the Jarrell family descendants donated the plantation to the State of Georgia. The renovated Jarrell Plantation now welcomes guests from all over the country, offering a peaceful rest in beautiful surroundings.

Sweet Home Plantation

This historical, 19th-century plantation is located in Pine Mountain, Georgia. The main attraction on the grounds is the Greek Revival home, dating back to 1840. The beautiful grounds surrounding the home include a three-acre lake - an ideal, romantic place for a wedding. At present weddings and receptions are the main functions held at Sweet Home Plantation.

Washington Plantation

Originally a two over two plain-style farmhouse, the Washington Plantation home was set up in 1828. The house was gradually developed into a larger residence, surrounded by oaks, hickories, elms and other ancient trees. In 1865 both Confederate and Union armies camped at the plantation. Nowadays Washington Plantation is a luxurious bed and breakfast home, ideal for romantic weekends away. In 2006 the Washington Plantation was voted among the Top 10 American Romantic Inns!

Woodlawn Plantation

Established in 1840, this plantation is perfectly nested among the centuries-old trees and groves. Known in the past for their cotton, tobacco, snap beans and potatoes, Woodlawn Plantation used to be one of the main suppliers of such crops in the whole country. The crops are now gone, but one can still see some cattle grazing idly in the tranquil environment. Nowadays the Woodlawn Plantation offers superb accommodation for the guests from all over America.

Pebble Hill Plantation

Pebble Hill's history goes as far as the 1820s. Initially a successful farm, Pebble Hill in Thomasville, Georgia, experienced tough time after the Civil War. In the 1880s Thomasville became a popular winter resort and Pebble Hill Plantation began to prosper again. Inhabited by its owner until the second half of the 20th century, Pebble Hill was eventually sold and turned into a museum in 1983. Now people from all over America visit this plantation to admire its beautiful gardens and extensive grounds.

These Georgia plantation homes are some of the richest in historical context. For those who are into Southern history or Civil War buffs, a trip to a Georgia plantation might just be the ticket to spark one's imagination.

Georgia plantations have a rich and fascinating history. They emerged from the past tainted by the dark history of slavery and exploiting forced labor. Nowadays, their legacy seems a bit forgotten.

Throughout the years the plantations in Georgia have been transformed into sites for tourists. When visiting these plantations, one can combine a historic trip with some time for relaxation.

Source: Internet

Alabama Plantations

Alabama has many old plantations with a rich history, going back to the early 19th century. Most of those places lost their original purpose a long time ago - the vast fields where people used to grow cotton were transformed into destinations of leisure and tourism. Many of those plantations are very well preserved and some in fact were turned into museums. Visiting such places can be a really original way to spend your weekend away.

Belvoir / Saffold Plantation

Belvoir (Saffold Plantation)

Belvoir was established in 1825 as a large cotton plantation. The house, as it is seen on the plantation grounds at present, was built around 1850. After the Civil War the property changed hands several times and in the second half of the 20th century it was in a state of disrepair. In 1990 it was added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage and has since been repaired and renovated. "Belvoir" translates from French to English as "beautiful to see" - and so it is now.

Faunsdale Plantation

This plantation was set up in 1843 and named after a Roman god of forests and fields. Shortly after Faunsdale's founding, a wooden church was built on its grounds. A burial site was also opened near the church and survived to this day. The main house on this plantation is a fine example of the Greek Revival style and is located behind a peaceful grove of trees, along with some other historical buildings.

Montgomery Janes Whittaker House

The plantation boasts a historic Federal style house, currently turned into a museum. The construction of this house was started in 1822 and took 20 years to finish. The building is a fine display of various, inter-crossing styles of architecture, including Colonial and Greek Revival. In 1974 the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places; since 2007 the Autauga County Heritage Association has owned it and now the Montgomery Janes Whittaker House welcomes guests from all over the country.

Woodlands (Gosport, Alabama)

The Woodlands Plantation is also known as the Frederick Blount Plantation. It was set up in the 1840s. The house on the plantation grounds is a good example of a 'Carolina Cottage' style. The tranquil location and quaint surroundings are one of the greatest assets of this place. The Woodlands Plantation was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Joseph Wheeler Plantation

This plantation is one of the oldest in Alabama, dating back its origin to year 1818. There are twelve historical structures on the plantation grounds, all built between 1818 and 1880. After the Civil War the plantation belonged to a former Confederate general, Joseph Wheeler, who built his house there, adjacent to the other buildings. The plantation belonged to the Wheeler family until 1993, when it was donated to the state of Alabama.

Alpine Plantation

Alpine plantation contains a historical house, built in 1858. Surrounded by mature oaks and other trees, the plantation house boasts some fine ornaments of the Greek Revival style and contains more interesting architectonic features inside. The area surrounding the house emanates tranquillity and peace.
As you can see the Alabama plantations hold a special part of U. S. history. These plantation homes represent not only life in the South during simpler times but a culture that needs to be remembered for many generations to come.

Southern Plantations

When you think of the southern plantations you may think of the movie "Gone with the Wind". The definition of a plantation is an estate where crops are grown for cash. These crops can be cotton, sugar and even tobacco.

Southern plantations make one drift back in time.

 

Southern plantations go way back to the days of the slaves. Plantation owners used these slaves as workers to pick their crops and even clean their homes. These old southern homes were beautiful and they defined history.

Southern plantations and their styles date back to the 17th century. You can find the most beautiful and famous plantation homes in states like Louisiana, Texas and Georgia. Louisiana offers the Beauregard House, which was built in 1833, and the Bocage Plantation of 1801. Today these plantations are considered to be historical landmarks.

Historical plantations are located throughout South Carolina, Louisiana, Virginia and Tennessee just to name a few. Some of the most historic plantations can be found in South Carolina.

Some of the most popular are the Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens, Drayton Hall and Magnolia Plantation and Its Garden. Located in Franklin Tennessee is the historical Carton Plantation. This home was the biggest Confederate Hospitals during the Civil War.

Southern plantation with a white swing is pictured.

Though many of the older and popular plantations have been converted to museums or even hotels, there are many home contractors out there that can build you your own plantation homes. These builders are often found down south since a lot of land is needed to be considered a plantation.

If you can't afford to build your own plantation, wouldn't it be fun to visit one. In some southern states like Georgia, Virginia and Louisiana, there are plenty of tour companies out there that offer a chance of a lifetime.

For a pre-determined fee you can tour some of the souths most beautiful, famous and most historic plantations. If you are planning a tour down south, look up any tour company online and get the best tour you can. It truly is a chance of a lifetime.

If you are planning a wedding and you live down south, wouldn't a plantation wedding be a dream come true. Check out the local plantations, some of them will rent out the plantation for a wedding or a party.

There are even some plantations that have been turned into hotels too. Check with your local real estate agent next time you are planning a trip to Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, South Carolina and other wonderful southern states.

Rental Picture ...

There are some plantations that have been turned into apartments. You can rent these apartments and get an idea what life was life back on a true southern plantation.

There is a great deal of information on this website on southern plantations, the history behind them, who lived there and what the life and the culture was like. It was nothing like the life we have today.
Slavery shamed the South, but there was also a separate life that needs to be remembered that is both romantic and difficult. Living in those times was different and if you knew even some of what life was like back on the plantation you would be surprised.

Life may not have been like "Gone with the Wind" but it needs to be remembered nonetheless.

Southern Plantation Life

The life in a southern plantation in the olden days describes the story about the system of production. It basically outlines the complete procedure of starting the process of cultivation. Right from the beginning, the southern region has been dependent upon its crops to earn its living. These crops were sold to raise the economy of the southern area.

Life on the Plantation

In the 18th century the major crops that were cultivated in the southern plantation region were rice and tobacco.

Gradually the economy boost that was brought about in the 19th century was due to the introduction and enhancement of the cultivation of cotton.

Since the procedure of starting and maintaining a plantation farm is a manual and toiling process, the owners of these plantation units needed a vast amount of labor. On the other hand, they need to ensure that the labor was cheap, so that they do not spend much in the cultivation process. Hence, the concept of importing slaves into the region.

This became one of the most distinguishing features of the southern plantation area. Every big house that was placed in the center of the farm had the owners staying there. They lived an aristocratic life, surrounded by the numerous slaves, who toiled day in day out in their fields.

There were different varieties of southern plantation life. On one hand, there were lords and ladies who were extremely rich and lived a life of pure luxury. They owned a lot of slaves, and their days were filled with parties and hunting sprees.

They were fond of wearing the finest clothes and jewelry. The parties were famous for the delicious and variety of cuisines that they had. Here the slaves were generally forbidden to write or read. The difference between the owner's and the slaves was very stark. The owners lived a life of refinement and aristocracy, while the slaves were left to fight a constant battle against poverty.

Big Farm versus Small Farm ...

However, on the other hand, there were smaller plantations. These were ordinary farms, which had fewer slaves. The owners of these plantations were used to a life of simplicity. They were in a low income bracket as compared to their wealthy counterparts. They were more interested in concentrating on their cultivation and took a lot of interest in the plantations. On the other side, their influence on the local and state affairs was negligible.

The distinction that was made in the class and color of people gathered a lot of attention. Due to this the southern plantation life became the symbol of slavery and discrimination. Till this day, the issue of race gathers immense momentum in any debate when this region comes into the discussion. However, we need to be aware that the "big white houses" and "large plantations" with "hundreds of slaves" is basically a misconception.

The southern plantation life mostly consisted of small farms that lacked any significant number of slaves. These individuals were keenly interested in spending time with their families. For them their life revolved around their children. They were God-fearing people who believed in attending church masses regularly.

Thus, southern plantation life would differ widely from region to region and from large plantations to smaller ones.

Wacky Facts about Plantations

The earliest plantations in history can be traced back to the Roman Empire where olive oil and wine was produced.

The Southern-most plantations in the United States were actually located in Hawaii.
 

Source: Internet

The Most Celebrated Louisiana Plantations

Destrehan Plantation - A Louisiana Legacy

With one of the most interesting tours in all of New Orleans Plantation Country, no trip to this area would be complete without a visit to Destrehan Plantation.  Established in 1787, Destrehan Plantation remains the oldest documented plantation home in the Lower Mississippi Valley. Here, visitors can gaze upon an original document signed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.  Dated 1804, the “Jefferson Document” assigned a handful of men, including the plantation’s first owner -- Jean Noel Destrehan -- to the Orleans Territorial Council, a body formed after the Louisiana Purchase to help ease the cultural transition of the Orleans Territory into an American representative democracy.

Destrehan Plantation history is associated with many other notable people and events.  This is where the trial took place for the famous 1811 Slave Revolt.  Many years later as the Civil War neared its end, the Union Army seized Destrehan Plantation and established the Rost Home Colony where newly freed slaves learned various trades.  And, fueled by a legend that Jean Lafitte had frequently visited Destrehan Plantation, fortune seekers once ripped out the home’s walls in search of the illustrious pirate’s hidden treasure.

Witness costumed guides interpreting the fascinating legacy of the Destrehan family and the unique architectural features of the home.  The plantation offers period craft demonstrations daily, including open hearth cooking, bousillage construction, indigo dyeing, sugar cane processing, weaving, carpentry of the 1780s, and African-American herbal remedies.  Destrehan Plantation also hosts some of the area’s most popular events, including its Annual Fall Festival which draws artists and craft vendors from throughout the country, and offers delicious Cajun and Creole food, rare antiques, plenty of live music and special activities for children.

Today, Destrehan Plantation is owned and operated by the River Road Historical Society, which saved this historic home from years of neglect and restored it to its present and beautiful form.  We invite you to come and see this glorious piece of history for yourself!

13034 River Rd.

Destrehan, LA 70047

United States

See map: Google Maps

Phone:

985-535-2341

888-509-1756

Fax:

985-535-5450

Click to Email Us

Hours:

Daily 9:40 am to 4:00 pm.

Cost:

Adults $15.00, Children (6 to 17) $7.00, Special Discounts for AAA & Military $14.00, Scheduled Groups of 15 or more $12.00 per person

Weddings:

yes

Groups:

yes

Capacity:

Capacity: 300

View Our Official Website

Evergreen Plantation - The South's Most Intact Plantation Complex

Wander the beautiful grounds of the most intact plantation complex in the entire South.  Evergreen Plantation has an astonishing 37 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, including 22 slave cabins in their original, double row configuration.  In fact, Evergreen Plantation joins Mount Vernon and Gettysburg for having achieved the nation’s highest historic designation, and has been granted its exceptional landmark status for the plantation’s agricultural acreage.

The Evergreen Plantation tours include the main house as well as the complex’s remarkably preserved slave quarters and other dependencies.  Dating back to 1790, the “Big House” began its existence as a raised Creole house, and was remodeled to its present form in 1832. The 90-minute tour emphasizes the plantation’s dependence on slave labor, as well as the labor of freed African-Americans later in its history that was necessary to operate such a multifaceted enterprise.  With so many of its structures still intact, Evergreen Plantation offers visitors an outstanding representation of the plantation culture in Louisiana.

Stroll through an allée of one hundred, 200-year-old live oaks as you tour this living history book.   Hear the stories highlighting two and a half centuries of family ownership, learn about the architectural significance of Evergreen Plantation’s many buildings, and discover how the plantation was rooted in and reliant on agriculture.  As a privately owned, operating sugar cane plantation where people continue to live and work, Evergreen Plantation is simply a must-see during your trip to New Orleans Plantation Country.

Phone:

985-497-3837

Click to Email Us

Hours:

Monday - Saturday 9:30 ,11:30 am & 2:00pm

Cost:

Adults $20.00, Children (12 years and under) $10.00, Groups of 6 or more $8.00 per person

Weddings:

no

Groups:

yes

Capacity:

20-30

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Houmas House Plantation - The Crown Jewel Of Louisiana's River Road

Once you’ve visited Houmas House Plantation and Gardens in person, you’ll know why it is called “The Crown Jewel of Louisiana’s River Road.”  At one time during the 19th century, Houmas House farmed sugarcane on tens of thousands of acres, and became the largest producer of sugar in the country.  In fact, this grand estate was so lavish that it was described by many as “The Sugar Palace.”

The mansion and grounds have been thoroughly restored and enhanced to reflect the opulent lifestyle and grandeur of the successful sugar barons who once lived in Houmas House.  Guides in period dress offer visitors an entertaining glimpse into the resplendent world of southern plantation life through the Houmas House tours.  Inside, guests will find history reflected in the many antique furnishings and works of art that grace the home’s 16 glorious rooms. Outside, visitors can stroll through 38 acres of breathtaking, lush gardens, which are replanted throughout the year to reflect the season.  Indeed, the property is so stunning and romantic that it was voted the Number One Ceremony Location by the Professional Wedding Guild of South Louisiana.

Houmas House Plantation is also home to one of the “Top 20 Restaurants in America.” Latil’s Landing offers guests a truly unforgettable, fine dining experience.  For those who prefer more casual fare, the plantation’s lunchtime restaurant -- Café Burnside – is guaranteed to please with its laid-back, southern menu.  And, visitors are sure to find a unique keepsake or the perfect gift for any occasion by browsing Houmas House Plantation’s 8,000 square foot decorator gift shop.

Houmas House offers visitors much more than a tour of a plantation home.  Here, guests feel transported back to a time of antebellum, Southern splendor.  The owner invites you to slow down and enjoy a leisurely time here.  So, relax.  Play a game of croquet.  Sip a refreshing Mint Julep.  And experience the South the way it was meant to be, at Houmas House Plantation and Gardens.

40136 Hwy. 942

Darrow, LA 70725

United States

See map: Google Maps

Phone:

225-473-9380

Fax:

225-473-7891

Click to Email Us

Hours:

Monday and Tuesday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Wednesday through Sunday 9:00 am to 8:00 pm

Cost:

Mansion and Gardens $20.00, Gardens and Grounds $10.00, Groups of 15 or more $15.00 per person

Weddings:

yes

Groups:

yes

View Our Official Website

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Laura: A Creole Plantation - Louisiana, A World Apart

According to Lonely Planet Travel, the “Best History Tour in the United States” is right here in New Orleans Plantation Country.  So, what makes a visit to Laura: A Creole Plantation so special?  Here, guests are treated to more than a house and antiques tour.  Here – like nowhere else in the South – visitors become totally immersed in Louisiana’s rich, Creole culture.

Laura: A Creole Plantation offers a 70-minute tour that is based on 5,000 pages of documents from the French National Archives related to the free and enslaved families who lived here.  Professional guides will share the compelling, real-life accounts of 7 generations of Laura Plantation’s Creole inhabitants.

 Discover what life was like for the plantation owners, women, slaves and children who once called this centuries-old, sugar cane farm their home.

With 11 structures listed on the National Register, Laura Plantation offers guests the chance to explore its newly restored Manor House, the formal and kitchen gardens, Banana-Land grove, and its authentic Creole cottages and slave cabins.

But perhaps Laura Plantation is best known for the West-African stories the home’s former slaves related to folklorist Alcée Fortier.  Recorded at the slave cabins here in the 1870's, they were later popularized in English and became the “Tales of Br’er Rabbit.”

It’s no wonder why Laura: A Creole Plantation was awarded the title of “Top Travel Attraction” by the Louisiana Office of Tourism. Come and discover for yourself a cultural tour experience unlike anything else in the country.

Click here to download our brochure.

2247 Hwy. 18

Vacherie, LA 70090

United States

See map: Google Maps

Phone:

225-265-7690

888-799-7690

Fax:

225-265-7960

Click to Email Us

Hours:

Daily 9:30 am to 5:00 pm

Cost:

Adults $18.00, Student (6 to 17 years) $5.00, Scheduled Groups of 20 or more: Adults $12.00, Children $5.00 per person, School Group Rates: Student $5.00, Adult Chaperone: $12.00 per person, Discounts for AAA, National Trust, Military, & We Save $16.00

Weddings:

no

Groups:

yes

Capacity:

Call for more information

View Our Official Website

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Oak Alley Plantation - The Grand Dame Of The Great River Road

Perhaps the most photographed plantation in Louisiana, this home was built in 1839 and was originally named Bon Séjour (pleasant sojourn). But steamboat passengers traveling on the nearby Mississippi River had a different view of the property. Marveling at the quarter-mile avenue of 28 giant, live oaks leading up to the house, they dubbed it “Oak Alley.”

From the moment you gaze up the tree-lined drive to the splendid Greek Revival style mansion, it is evident that Oak Alley Plantation is an extraordinary place. Step inside to gracious interiors that echo the romance of another era, where gleaming hardwood floors and shimmering chandeliers reflect both streams of sunlight, and the venerable history of this magnificent home.

Oak Alley Plantation's restaurant is housed in a 19th century cottage on the grounds, and offers a delicious menu of traditional Cajun and Creole dishes. Take advantage of Oak Alley Plantation’s location in the heart of New Orleans Plantation Country by making your stay here. The Bed & Breakfast cottages near the mansion offer the best of both worlds … a century-old, quiet setting equipped with modern comforts. Indeed, guests delight in taking leisurely strolls on the lush grounds or on the levee where they can watch the mighty Mississippi River roll by. And of course, Oak Alley Plantation weddings offer a fairy tale setting, and the home serves as an ideal venue for group functions and special events.

You may have glimpsed this fabled plantation on screen, as it has appeared in several popular movies and television shows. The magnificence and allure of Oak Alley Plantation regularly draws celebrities and other VIPs who come to tour the plantation firsthand. And, there have even been some ghostly sightings by guides and staff members, as well as guests. So you never know who or what you might see at Oak Alley Plantation during your visit!

Nowhere else in the South will you find a more spectacular setting. Bring your camera, and experience a bygone era at Oak Alley Plantation … the “Grande Dame” of the Great Louisiana River Road.

3645 Hwy. 18

Vacherie, LA 70090

United States

See map: Google Maps

Phone:

225-265-2151

800-44ALLEY

Fax:

225-265-7035

Click to Email Us

Hours:

Plantation Open Daily, March-October 9am-5pm; November-February Mon-Fri, 9am-4:30pm; Sat-Sun, 9am-5pm. Restaurant open 8:30am-3pm

Cost:

Plantation admission includes the self-guided tour of the historic ground and guided tour of the Big House. Adults $20; Youth (13-18 yrs) $7.50; Child (6-12 yrs) $4.50. Group, Senior (65 & Older) & AAA rates available upon request.

Weddings:

yes

Groups:

yes

Capacity:

Capacity: 150

View Our Official Website

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Ormond Plantation - An Historic And Interesting Setting

Pre-dating the Louisiana Purchase by over a decade, this beautiful mansion is the oldest French West Indies style Creole Plantation on the Mississippi.  The land upon which Ormond Plantation rests was awarded to a Frenchman for his service during the American Revolution.  The Spanish Governor of Louisiana gave Pierre d’Trepagnier a tract of land which once stretched from the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain.  D’Trepagnier constructed his home on the property, establishing Ormond Plantation in 1789.

Located in the heart of Louisiana’s German Coast, Ormond Plantation history dictates that it originally began as a farm for indigo, like other early plantations of the area.  Later, it switched to “white gold” – the more profitable crop of sugar cane – and the plantation prospered.

There have been a handful of mysterious occurrences at Ormond Plantation.  The first took place in 1798, when d’Trepagnier was called away from a family meal by a servant to meet with a gentleman assumed to be a Spanish official.  The plantation’s owner left with the man, but never returned.  No trace of him has ever been found.  Sadly, d’Trepagnier was not the only owner to have met with a strange or tragic end.  Perhaps, then, it is not surprising that Ormond Plantation is said to have a ghostly resident…

For visitors who wish to make their stay in New Orleans Plantation Country, the Ormond Plantation B & B offers guests a relaxing stay in an historic and interesting setting.  Stroll the grounds, walk through the home, and savor the atmosphere of the 19th century as you gaze upon the mighty Mississippi River from the plantation’s upper gallery.  For those seeking the perfect, Southern venue for a wedding or other private event, Ormond Plantation is ready and available to make any special occasion unforgettable.

Just nine miles from Louis Armstrong International Airport, visitors can be transported back in time, to a place where the history, the hospitality, and the grandeur of the Old South is alive … at Ormond Plantation.

13786 River Rd.

Destrehan, LA 70090

United States

See map: Google Maps

Phone:

985-764-8544

Click to Email Us

Hours:

Cost:

Weddings:

yes

Groups:

yes

Capacity:

Capacity: 125

View Our Official Website

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Poche Plantation - An Historic And Peaceful Place To Stay

This post-Civil War era house is architecturally unusual when compared to many of the region’s other surviving plantations. While most of the grand homes in New Orleans Plantation Country are characterized by Greek Revival styling, Felix Poché Plantation stands as a fine example of a house influenced by the Victorian Renaissance Revival style.

When Judge Felix Pierre Poché built the home in 1867, the land had already been the site of a large sugar cane plantation for many years. An accomplished attorney and Louisiana Supreme Court Justice, he went on to become the co-founder of the American Bar Association. Later, it was discovered that Judge Poché kept a Civil War diary which he had written in French. Detailing the world of a Confederate in Louisiana during the War Between the States, it has since been translated and published, and is now considered an important resource for scholars. It remains one of the only Confederate diaries describing the Civil War in print.

Visitors to Felix Poché Plantation are invited to tour its many rooms, which offer vivid recollections from the history of the home’s most distinguished families. There are also a wide variety of Felix Poche Plantation accommodations on the property. Their Bed & Breakfast offers guests romantic or family cottages and suites to choose from. Felix Poché is also a Class A Motor Coach RV Park, providing a full-service site designed to accommodate nearly every type of modern camping coach or fifth wheel home. Large concrete spaces, modern tower hookups and state-of-the-art, digital conveniences await travelers, as well as all of the facilities you would expect from one of the first-class Louisiana RV parks.

With its rich history, scenic environment, deluxe services and varied accommodations, Felix Poché Plantation offers its guests a memorable stay in New Orleans Plantation Country.

6554 Hwy. 44

Convent, LA 70723

United States

See map: Google Maps

Phone:

225-562-7728

Click to Email Us

Hours:

Please call for seasonal tour times

Cost:

$20.00

Weddings:

yes

Groups:

no

Capacity:

Capacity: 25

View Our Official Website

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San Francisco Plantation - The Most Opulent Plantation On The Mississippi River

With its mélange of architectural designs, this ornate mansion offers a remarkable variation on the plantation styles commonly found along the Great River Road.  From certain angles, San Francisco Plantation has been thought to resemble a variety of different structures, ranging from a Mississippi riverboat to a giant layer cake.

Built in 1854 by a wealthy sugar planter, this vividly-colored house is a spectacular creation of great ambition and unique inspiration.  Nestled under centuries-old live oaks, San Francisco Plantation is furnished and decorated like no other plantation in the South.  The home features world-renowned, hand-painted ceilings, faux marbre and faux bois throughout, and one of the finest antique collections in the country.  Tour guides in period dress lead visitors through San Francisco Plantation's 14 rooms filled with authentic furniture reflecting the plantation’s glorious heyday during the late 1850s, the time just prior to the War Between the States.

The grounds of San Francisco Plantation feature some historic outbuildings, such as an 1840s slave cabin, and a school house dating back to the 1830s.  And in addition to its annual “Frisco Fest” Spring Garden & Craft Festival, this beautiful property can play host to a variety of private, special events.  Wedding ceremonies and receptions, group dinners and other socials are regularly held at San Francisco Plantation, either on the verdant grounds under its majestic oaks, or inside the historic and spacious Sugar Mill Pavilion.

Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1974, this opulent, colorful plantation is so distinctive that it inspired novelist Frances Parkinson Keyes to write “Steamboat Gothic,” a story about a family she imagined living there.  Offering a unique blend of history and romance, make sure your trip to New Orleans Plantation Country includes a stop at San Francisco Plantation.

2646 Hwy. 44

Garyville, LA 70051

United States

See map: Google Maps

Phone:

985-535-2341

888-509-1756

Fax:

985-535-5450

Hours:

Daily 9:40 am to 4:00 pm

Cost:

Adults $15.00, Children (6 to 17) $7.00, Special Discounts for AAA & Military $14.00, Scheduled Groups of 15 or more $12.00 per person

Weddings:

yes

Groups:

yes

Capacity:

Capacity: 500

View Our Official Website

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St. Joseph Plantation - A Louisiana Sugar Cane Family

In more ways than one, the past is present at St. Joseph Plantation.  Not only is the property still a working sugarcane plantation, but it’s owned and operated by the descendants of Joseph Waguespack, who purchased the home in 1877.

Originally built in 1830, this 12,000-square-foot antebellum plantation was constructed in a Raised Creole style that predates some of the nearby plantations which are Greek Revival style.  St. Joseph Plantation was once owned by the daughter of a wealthy businessman named Gabriel Valcour Aime.  Reputedly the richest man in the South – and known as the “Louis XIV of Louisiana” -- Aime gave his daughter the funds to purchase the 1,000 acre St. Joseph Plantation as a wedding gift.

Decades later, the property was sold in a sheriff’s sale following the Civil War.  Waguespack’s purchase of the plantation in 1877 began a timeline of family ownership that has continued unbroken to this day.  His descendants have traveled from all over the country to lovingly restore St. Joseph Plantation and its outbuildings.  The extended families have kept both St. Joseph and its sister plantation, Felicité, thriving since the 19th century.  Today, most of the guides giving St. Joseph Plantation tours are family members, who are proud to share this grand and priceless piece of their heritage.

Here, visitors can explore the antique furniture-filled rooms of the main house, the original slave cabins and other dependencies on the grounds.  There are interesting exhibits that include tokens used to pay freed slaves who labored here after the Civil War, old farm equipment, and a short film on the sugar cane process.  And not surprisingly, with its deep history and idyllic beauty, St. Joseph Plantation has become a popular backdrop for weddings and other special events.

Perhaps the property’s most famous son is H.H. Richardson.  Born at what is now St. Joseph Plantation in 1838, he went on to become one of America’s most important architects of the 19th century.  Find out more about him, and the many other interesting people who called St. Joseph Plantation “Home” on your next visit here, to New Orleans Plantation Country.

3535 Hwy. 18

Vacherie, LA 70090

United States

See map: Google Maps

Phone:

225-265-4078

Fax:

225-265-4843

Click to Email Us

Hours:

Tours on the hour. Monday - Saturday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (October thru March), 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (April thru September)

Cost:

Adults $15.00, Youth (13 to 18 years) $7.00, Children (6 to 12 years) $5.00, Special Discounts for AAA, Military, and Sr. Citizen (65 and over) $13.00, Groups of 20 or more: Adults $12.00, Youth $6.00, Children $4.00 per person

Weddings:

yes

Groups:

yes

Capacity:

Capacity: 200

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Source: Internet

The Most Celebrated Louisiana Plantations

During their halcyon days most plantations produced sugar, which provided their owners with the kind of vast wealth it took to build these lavish estates. Each of the nine homes in New Orleans Plantation Country offers visitors a unique experience. Come and see their amazing architecture, design and landscaping. Stroll the shaded grounds beneath the outstretched limbs of ancient, moss-draped oak trees. Explore their intricately decorated, antique-filled rooms, and learn the stories of those who lived and worked here, in some of the most famous Louisiana plantations.

Getting Here - You'll Be Unpacking In No Time.

It all starts with the journey to get here.  Fortunately, planning a Louisiana trip is easy!  Located in the southeastern part of the Bayou State, New Orleans Plantation Country lies between New Orleans and Baton Rouge along the Mississippi River.  That means two major airports are just minutes away.  If you prefer to hit the road, you’ll find easy access to the area through three interstate highways – I-10, I-55 and I-49 - travel to Louisiana doesn't get much easier.  In fact, the drive to New Orleans Plantation Country is less than 8 hours from over a dozen major cities across the South. So whether you checked your luggage, or threw your bags in the trunk, you’ll be unpacking here in no time!
Average driving distances to New Orleans Plantation Country

		In Miles	In Hours
Atlanta, GA		495	7.5
Baton Rouge, LA		50	.75
Biloxi, MS		115	2.0
Birmingham, AL		365	5.75
Dallas, TX		500	7.75
Houston, TX		325	5.0
Jackson, MS		165	2.5
Jacksonville, FL		570	9.0
Little Rock, AR		420	8.0
Mobile, AL		170	2.75
Memphis, TN		375	5.75
Nashville, TN		560	8.75
New Orleans		30	.50
Pensacola, FL		225	3.50
Shreveport, LA		320	5.50

Airports:
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
900 Airline Drive, Kenner, LA 70062
504-464-3547
View Our Official WebsiteBaton Rouge Metropolitan Airport
9430 Jackie Cochran Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70807
225-355-0333
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Amtrak Train Stations:
1001 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal
New Orleans, LA 70113
504-528-1610
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404 Northwest Railroad Avenue
Hammond, LA 70401
985-345-6264
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Getting Around New Orleans Plantation Country & Travel in Louisiana

Taxis
Taxi companies offering services to and from the airport and train station, as well as to all areas of the vicinity.

• Oak Transport Service
  985-652-8351
  Click to Email Us

Charter Service
Need a charter? For specific information on chartering for your travel to Louisiana, please call the following:

• American Luxury Limousines
  1-800-631-5466
  504-269-5466
  Click to Email Us
  View Our Official Website
• Flagship Limousine
  1-800-259-6562
  Click to Email Us
  View Our Official Website

Hauntings and Ghostly Sightings

As one of the oldest and most storied regions in America, it’s no surprise that New Orleans Plantation Country claims a long and rich piece of Louisiana haunted history.  For generations, residents and visitors alike have encountered earthbound entities, whose spirits have somehow –and for some reason – remained behind.  Perhaps not unexpectedly, several of our majestic plantations, harboring ancient tales of the Civil War, lost love, and sudden tragedy, are among the area’s most popular locations for ghostly sightings.

In fact, some of the haunted plantation history here is so compelling, that a well-known team of investigators has visited New Orleans Plantation Country to analyze it firsthand.  Two of our most famous plantations – Oak Alley and San Francisco – have been professionally investigated by the International Society for Paranormal Research.  Led by renowned field parapsychologist Dr. Larry Montz, the ISPR team conducted investigations at both properties to determine if they are actively haunted, and to learn about the entities that inhabit the homes.

ISPR first conducted an investigation of the hauntings at Oak Alley Plantation in 1983.  In 2003, they returned with a more sophisticated team of investigators, including professional Clairvoyants and state-of-the-art thermal imaging cameras.  During the investigation, Dr. Montz’s team did observe several entities.  Among them, they encountered the ghosts of some Confederate soldiers, who were standing out in front of the property at the time.  The plantation’s spirits also include a 6 year-old boy, a young girl around 14 years-old, and several of the original women who owned and ran the house.  In addition, the staff at Oak Alley has experienced poltergeist phenomena.  According to one of the plantation’s guides, one tour group watched as a candle in the mansion’s dining room was thrown several feet across the room.

In 1996, the ISPR team first discovered that San Francisco Plantation is also actively haunted.  As they did at Oak Alley, they returned in 2003 with a larger team of investigators and used thermal imaging cameras at the property.  They not only experienced the home’s primary entity, but managed to capture phenomena on their thermal cam.  In doing so, they confirmed what has long been believed … that the ghost of Charles Marmillion – one of the sons of the home’s original owner – does in fact haunt San Francisco Plantation.

All over the world, stories and myths and legends about hauntings are told, passed down and believed to be true.  But some of the most beautiful and historic estates in New Orleans Plantation Country offer more than just hearsay and ghost stories.  Here, paranormal experts have proven that there are actual haunted plantations in Louisiana.

History in Louisiana

In 1682, Robert de La Salle claimed the area between the Great Lakes and the Gulf Coast for France, hoping to stop the British from colonizing land west of the Appalachian Mountains. In 1718, the city of New Orleans was founded at the mouth of the Mississippi, giving the French control of traffic on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. A significant moment when it comes to history in Louisiana.

Farmers were needed to provide food for the new colony, and as a buffer against the British.  In 1720, German settlers sponsored by the French government began arriving in New Orleans and were given consignments 25 miles upriver between what is now Hahnville, in St. Charles Parish and Lucy, in St. John the Baptist Parish. The area became known as the German Coast, or La Côté de Les Allemands.

Their French sponsors provided tools and seeds, and friendly Indians taught them to cultivate native plants. The combination of rich alluvial soil and a long growing season produced abundant crops, but natural forces often worked against the farmers. Despite many hardships, they harvested enough rice, vegetables and fruit for themselves, and to sell in New Orleans.

Under French rule the Germans adopted the French language, culture and Catholic faith.

In 1764, Louisiana came under active Spanish rule, and Spain supported colonization on both sides of the Mississippi River spreading towards Baton Rouge.

In the 1750s descendants of French emigrants living in Nova Scotia – Acadians -- were expelled by the British. More than 5,000 Acadians came to Louisiana from 1764-1765. They were given provisions and land in Vacherie. The area became the Acadian Coast, or La Côté de Les Acadiens.  Descendants of the Acadians are popularly known as Cajuns.

With each landing of immigrants, the Indians were pushed farther southeast. The various tribes had different languages and customs and were often at war with each other. As their numbers dwindled, they banded together and eventually all Indians in the area became the Houma tribe. Early Europeans in Louisiana tried to enslave the Indians, but were unsuccessful. A source of free labor was necessary to make the territory profitable, and the first enslaved Africans appear in the German Coast census of 1731.

From 1721 until 1797, worldwide demand made indigo, a plant used for blue dye, the area’s premier commercial crop. After a major crop loss from insect infestation, most farmers stopped growing indigo. Corn, a staple in all three parishes, was used to feed livestock and slaves. Rice had been a popular commercial crop, but soon was eclipsed by sugarcane. At the turn of the 19th century, sugarcane was the main crop on St. Charles Parish plantations. Cotton was the primary crop in St. John Parish where farms were smaller, with fewer slaves. Because cotton needed good drainage and was susceptible to disease, St. John planters eventually turned to sugarcane. The Houma Indians introduced early Acadians to native tobacco, and in St. James Parish Perique tobacco became second only to sugarcane as a cash crop.

By the 1790s, the German and Acadian coasts contained a rich mixture of French, Indian, German, enslaved Africans, Acadians and Spanish.  Free men of color also lived in Louisiana—some came as free men and others were released from slavery or purchased their freedom. Both whites and free people of color owned slaves.

Their homes often started as modest abodes, but as the planters’ wealth grew, their houses were enlarged or replaced with new, more impressive homes. Simple Creole houses, with the addition of massive Greek Revival columns, curved stairs, semi-detached wings, and other architectural elements popular at the time, reflected the owner’s wealth.

In 1800, Louisiana reverted to French ownership before being sold by Napoleon to the United States in 1803. The Territory of Orleans was created, and in 1807 divided into nineteen districts. The new civic parishes kept the names of their church parishes—the German Coast became St. Charles and St. John the Baptist parishes, and the First Acadian Coast became St. James Parish.

In 1812, Louisiana became a state of the United States. By 1860 New Orleans was the country’s fourth-largest city and, by far, the largest city in the South. On January 26, 1861 Louisiana seceded from the United States, but did not join the Confederacy until March 1861. Thousands of local men fought battles in other states, but there were no major battles here. Skirmishes occurred in all three parishes.

After World War II, the sugar industry became more mechanized, and with better roads and more railroad lines, it was faster and easier to transport the product.  The lumber industry began early in New Orleans Plantation Country, but in the late 1900s, large lumber companies came to the area. They brought machinery and built railroads to more efficiently harvest and transport timber they cut in the swamps.

In 1914, Mexican Petroleum purchased land in Destrehan. Within a few years, several oil refineries operated along the Mississippi River beside commercial vegetable crops and sugarcane fields.   The chemical industry came to the area in the 1950's. National and international companies built plants and brought workers. As the population grew, so did the need for housing, commercial buildings, highways, schools and services.

New Orleans plantation history includes the loss of some of these homes with each move from agriculture to industry. Many of the grand homes in New Orleans Plantation Country are gone, but some remain to remind us of our heritage. The antebellum houses came from humble beginnings, and have been saved by the grace of caring people—some working with industry, others through historical preservation organizations, and a few homes have been owned and maintained by the same families for generations.

Recipes

Please see below for New Orleans Plantation Country recipes. We hope you enjoy this taste of Louisiana, and we know you'll want to make dining an historic occasion when you visit!

Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

Crab and Mango Cake

Pecan Crusted Catfish with Crystal Meunière

Pecan Pie

Red Beans & Rice

Seafood Gumbo Recipe

 

Source: neworleansplantationcountry