St. Francisville

St. Francisville is a town perched on elevated terrain overlooking the Mississippi River in Louisiana. The downtown area contains historic buildings and homes dating from the 1800s to early 1900s arranged along tree-lined streets.

The town was founded in 1807 as Villa of St. Francis and became a capital city for the newly formed Republic of West Florida in 1810. This brief role marked it as part of a significant regional political moment.

After the Civil War, German Jewish settlers arrived and left their mark through Victorian homes that still stand throughout the town. These buildings reflect how different communities shaped the place over generations.

The town is walkable, with most historic sites located within the main downtown area on foot. The sloping terrain means comfortable shoes and a leisurely pace work well for exploring.

Beneath the town's bluffs lay Bayou Sara, once a booming river port second only to New Orleans and Memphis before the Civil War. Little remains of this former trading hub today, making its history easy to overlook.

Location: West Feliciana Parish

Inception: 1809

Elevation above the sea: 35 m

Website: http://stfrancisville.net

GPS coordinates: 30.78470,-91.38060

Latest update: December 13, 2025 01:48