San Francisco Plantation House, Historic plantation house in Reserve, Louisiana
San Francisco Plantation House is a 19th-century mansion on the Mississippi River in Reserve, Louisiana, featuring a full basement level and side-facing divided staircases. The porch is supported by fluted columns with iron Corinthian capitals, and the restored 1850s rooms and landscaped grounds surround the main structure.
The house was built between 1853 and 1856 by planter Edmond Marmillion and renamed in 1879 when Achille Bougere purchased the property. This change marked a shift in the estate's ownership and purpose during the post-Civil War period.
The interior displays paintings by New Orleans artist Dominique Canova on ceilings and door panels, showing what wealthy Louisiana families valued in their homes during the 1800s. These works reveal the artistic tastes of the planter class who lived here.
The house operates as a museum where visitors can take guided tours through the restored rooms and grounds along the river. It is best to visit during daylight hours to see the architectural details and landscaping clearly.
The exterior walls feature an unusual color combination of blue, peach, and pistachio rather than the traditional white or pale tones typical of similar houses in the region. These bright colors were bold for their time and reflected the owners' desire to stand out.
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