Magnolia Plantation (Derry, Louisiana)

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For other uses, see Magnolia Plantation.
Magnolia Plantation
(U.S. National Historic Landmark)
Magnolia Plantation
Magnolia Plantation
Nearest city: Derry, Louisiana
Built/Founded: 1840
Architect: Unknown
Architectural style(s): Other
Designated as NHL: January 03, 2001[1]
Added to NRHP: March 07, 1979[2]
NRHP Reference#: 79001071
Governing body: Private

Magnolia Plantation is a site in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana.

It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2001.[1][3]

The plantation traces its roots back to Jean Baptiste LeComte II, who received French and Spanish land grants in the mid 1700's. This was the beginning of the plantation, although the structures were not built until the 1800's and the plantation was not officially in use until 1830. Ambrose LeComte, son of Jean Baptiste, married Julia Buard and began a tradition of community and cultivation on a vast peice of property. Their two daughters, Laura and Ursula Atala, married two sons from the Hertzog family, respectively, Bernard Theophile Henry and Matthew Hertzog. Atala and Matthew took over the plantation shortly after their marriage in 1852, inextricably linking the Hertzog name to Magnolia.

Magnolia Plantation is exceptional not only because of the farming technology, such as the cotton picker tractors and two cotton gins (both steam and animal powered), nor because of the impressive number of buildings still extant (although Magnolia is famed for having the only row of slave houses still standing, a mere six left compared to its original 70), but it is exceptional for its effect on the community and the Cane River area even today. La Cote Joyeuse became home to many, including writer Francois Mignon who claims he came to visit Magnolia on Cane River for a week and stayed sixty years.

Currently the area is partially owned by the National Park Service and by several private investors linked to the plantation somehow. Among these include Betty Hertzog and her cousin Ambrose J. Hertzog III, Norman Gunn, Mrs. J. Bennett Johnston, Mrs. Marie Louise Spencer, Mrs. Archie Boggs, Mrs. Irma H. Laufersweiler, and Mrs. Matthew Hertzog. The Parks Service as acquired 16 buildings and has continued to improve their condition so that they may be preserved for future generations.

The Cane River Creole National Historical Park is open Monday - Friday, 8am to 4:30pm. For more information about the plantation and for tour information, contact the Curation Facility: 400 Rapides Dr. Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457 (318) 352-0383

It is located at 5487 Louisiana Highway 119. The closest town is Derry, Louisiana.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Magnolia Plantation. National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved on 2008-01-30.
  2. ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2007-01-23).
  3. ^ Jonathan Fricker, Donna Fricker and Patty Henry (November, 1999), National Historic Landmark Nomination: Magnolia PlantationPDF (156 KiB), National Park Service 

[edit] External Links

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