St. Louis Plantation, plantation in Iberville Parish, Louisiana
St. Louis Plantation is a two-story Greek Revival house with Italianate touches located in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, built on a brick basement across 18 acres near the Mississippi River. The structure features round and square columns, Italian marble mantels, ornate plaster ceiling medallions, and a widow's walk with turned balusters overlooking the river and levee.
The original mansion called Erwin's Castle was built in 1808 by Jos. Erwin from Nashville but was destroyed by flooding in the early 1850s. The current house was constructed in 1858 at the same location by Edward James Gay, who later served as a congressman and ancestor of a US senator.
The main house reflects the architectural preferences of 19th century Louisiana planters who drew inspiration from urban centers like New Orleans. The blend of Greek Revival and Italianate details shows how rural property owners adopted city design trends to establish their social standing in the community.
The property sits in a rural setting outside Baton Rouge, about 20 minutes from downtown, with parking available and grounds that are moderately easy to walk. Visits are best made on weekdays when fewer people are present, and you should bring water and sun protection since most of your time will be spent outdoors.
The house still contains original kitchen fixtures from around 1865, including a brick hearth and wood stove, along with a fascinating early intercom system made of zinc tubing and megaphones for calling servants. Additionally, a large ornate mirror in the entrance hall may have come from a Mississippi riverboat and was part of a pair originally supplied together.
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