Cherokee Plantation, historic site, former plantation, house of Charles Emile Sompayrac and Clarisse Prudhomme
Cherokee Plantation is a large house built in the early 1800s with Creole architectural style, featuring brick and hand-hewn cypress wood construction, thick walls, and a curved roofline typical of the period. The building has multiple open courtyards, original wide plank floors, and walls made from bousillage, a traditional mixture of mud and materials that demonstrates the craftsmanship of its builders.
The house was likely built around 1837 by Charles Emile Sompayrac near the time of his marriage and reflects construction methods of the Creole period in Louisiana. In 1839 the grounds witnessed a duel between a militia officer and a state senator that resulted in death, marking a tragic moment in the property's history.
The name comes from wild Cherokee roses that once grew around the property and gave the plantation its distinctive identity. This botanical connection remains visible in how locals and visitors understand the place today.
The site is located on Highway 494 in Natchitoches Parish in a quiet rural setting with large trees around it, making for a peaceful visit. It sits near other historic sites and the Cane River, which makes it accessible for visitors interested in exploring Louisiana history.
The property was connected in the 1860s to about 65 people who performed fieldwork and shaped the plantation's economy. The Murphy family, who later owned it, preserved rare furniture pieces including a French secretaire from the 1700s that reflects the property's affluent past.
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