St. James' Parish

St. James' Parish is a parish in Louisiana containing over 20 National Register historic properties, including a nationally designated landmark. The area runs along the Mississippi and includes houses from different periods, ranging from plantation structures to industrial buildings.

The parish originated during the French colonial period and was shaped heavily by sugar and tobacco farming. The Desire Plantation House from 1835 demonstrates the French Creole agriculture that marked the region for generations.

The area displays French Creole features in its houses and how settlements were originally laid out, with these influences reaching back to colonial times. When you walk through St. James' Parish today, you can see these cultural traces in the street patterns and building shapes.

Each historic property has different visiting conditions, so it's best to check ahead whether it is open to visitors. Some houses are private and can only be seen from outside, while others are public sites or museums with set visiting times.

The Colonial Sugars Historic District shows the remains of sugar mills and production methods that shaped the local economy for decades. These industrial structures document how this trade formed the landscape and people's lives.

Location: Bristol

GPS coordinates: 38.78972,-76.59861

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:22