San Francisco Plantation House

San Francisco Plantation House is a historic plantation house at 2646 Louisiana Highway 44 in Garyville, St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. Built in 1849–50, it is one of the most architecturally distinctive plantation houses in the American South. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1974.[2][3] It is now a museum and event facility.

San Francisco Plantation House
Nearest cityReserve, Louisiana
Coordinates30°2′56.88″N 90°36′20″W
Area8 acres (3.2 ha)
Built1849
ArchitectUnknown
Architectural styleGothic, Other
NRHP reference No.74002186
Significant dates
Added to NRHPMay 30, 1974[1]
Designated NHLMay 30, 1974[2]

Description and history

The San Francisco Plantation House is located on the north bank of the Mississippi River, separated from the river by Louisiana Highway 44 and a levee. The house stands on about 8 acres (3.2 ha) of land, now surrounded by a farm of oil tanks. It is a 1-1/2 story structure, set on a full-height basement. The basement has a brick floor, reportedly 6 feet (1.8 m) deep, with brick piers rising to support the main structure. Side-facing divided staircases lead to the main floor, which is sheltered on three sides by an ornate porch, supported by fluted columns with iron Corinthian capitals. It has deeply overhanging decorative cornice, which in profile gives the house a styling called "Steamboat Gothic". The house is topped by a dormered hip roof. The interior is also richly decorated, with paintings attributed to New Orleans artist Dominique Canova on ceiling and door panels.[3]

The house is traditionally ascribed a construction date of 1849–50, and may include elements of an older building. It was built for Edmond Marmillion.[3] The unusual name “San Francisco” is believed to be derived from Edmond's oldest son, Valsin’s comment about the extraordinary debt he was confronted with when taking over the estate. He declared he was sans fruscins or “without a penny in my pocket.” The name evolved into St. Frusquin and, in 1879, was changed into “San Francisco” by the next owner, Achille D. Bougère.[4] The house has been restored to an 1850s appearance and is open for tours. It is also rented for special occasions.

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. "San Francisco Plantation House". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  3. Paul Goeldner (January 17, 1974). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: San Francisco Plantation House" (PDF). National Park Service. Cite journal requires |journal= (help) and Accompanying 2 photos, exterior, from 1973. (419 KB)
  4. http://www.sanfranciscoplantation.org/san-francisco-plantation-history/
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