Carville Historic District

Carville Historic District is a medical heritage area in Iberville Parish spanning 60 acres along the Mississippi River. The property features Classical Revival and Italianate architecture, with 26 contributing structures arranged as an integrated complex centered on the Indian Camp Plantation House.

The district originated as a sugar plantation in 1859 and became the Louisiana Leper Home from 1894 onward, eventually serving as the nation's treatment facility for Hansen's disease. The shift from agricultural production to medical care shaped how the buildings and grounds were developed and organized.

The district takes its name from the Cary family who owned the original plantation estate. Visitors can see how the buildings are arranged around central green spaces that reflect the daily life and sense of community that developed here.

The grounds are walkable, with pathways connecting the individual buildings and green spaces throughout the property. An on-site museum displays exhibits about the facility's medical history and maintains archives that provide deeper context for visitors interested in learning more.

Stanley Stein, a former patient at the facility, started The STAR newsletter in 1931 from within the complex and it continues to be published today. This publication has become a recognized source of information for people affected by Hansen's disease and demonstrates how patients found their voice within these walls.

Location: Iberville Parish

Address: 5445 Point Clair Road

GPS coordinates: 30.19694,-91.12667

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:04