Jan 13, 2012 - Laura Sugar Plantation on the Mississippi River

Once outside of New Orleans we got off the freeway, crossed to the west side of the Mississippi River and traveled Louisiana 18 west along the river. We had wanted to see some of the old Plantations along the river and actually stopped and took a tour of Laura which was a Creole Plantation run by the Duparc Family. A definition of "Créole" from the earliest history in New Orleans (circa 1718) is "a child born in the colony as opposed to France or Spain." The definition became more codified after the United States took control of the city...

Apr 21, 2011 - Day Trip: Vacherie, LA

After taking care of chores in the morning, we head to the Mississippi River. There are many plantations in the Baton Rouge area. I pick Oak Alley to visit. We cross the Mississippi River again and turn north on the Great River Road. As soon as we arrive, I know I have made a good choice. In the 1700’s an unknown settler planted twenty-eight evenly spaced oak trees in two rows leading from his humble cottage toward the Mississippi. The riverboat captains named the area. For them Oak Alley was a landmark. In 1839, Jacques Telesphore Roman,...

Oct 26, 2009 - 2 Very Different Plantations

From Lakeside RV Park – Livingston, LA A drive that took us to the west side of the Mississippi River on a road as windy as the River itself, appropriately named “River Road” between the historic cities of Baton Rouge and New Orleans in St. James Parrish in the small community of Vacherie, LA was today’s destination of choice. This particular area of Louisiana that we are enjoying is often times referred to as “Plantation Country”. The travel information says….”plantation homes are to Louisiana what the crown jewels are to England – each is...

May 29, 2008 - Vacherie,LA Oak Alley Plantation

Lisa, the New Orleans premier Tour Guide arrived Wed. evening. Early Thur. morning our whirlwind tour of the New Orleans area began. In the small town of Vacherie along the Great River Road we found one of the grandest plantation homes, Oak Alley. A quarter mile “allee” of 28 evenly spaced oak trees were planted in the 1700’s by a fur trader. The oaks almost reached the river. The riverboat captains and traders could easily find the traders cabin marked by the trees. In 1839, a wealthy Creole sugar cane planter bought the property and built...