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A smidge above Baton Rouge and a hair below the Louisiana-Mississippi border sits one of the most precious, quaint, and enjoyable towns––St.Francisville, La.
Being only 1.5 hours away from where I live, I jaunt over to this great little community every chance I get––I instantly feel so positive and rejuvenated by spending the day here just strolling and taking my fill of all beautiful scenery St. Francisville has to offer. Do you all remember the post on
Hemingbough from a few months ago? Hemingbough is ALSO located in St. Francisville––how much beauty can one town have, eh?
Care to take a stroll with me? Get ready, you're going to want to move here!
St. Francisville was established in the very early 1800s, being the oldest of the Florida Parishes–– a geographic area settled by the Spanish and declared a district by land grants from the Spanish monarchy.
It now has a population of just under 2,000––a wee bit small to reside in for my personal taste, but absolutely perfect to visit!
Perhaps what I find most interesting about St. Francisville is the fact that it was settled by the Spanish, yet the most of the local vernacular lends no trace of a Spanish influence––versus New Orleans which is pouring with rich Spanish detailing in many areas of the city.
I adore this particularly precious cottage with it's x-motif balustrade.
This home with colonial and greek revival influences is for sale! Any takers??
I mean, could this town get ANY more perfect? The preservation efforts in St.Francisville are second to none.
Yet another CHARMING detail. The eyelet pattern above the posts is just adorable!
Grace Episcopal Church, 2nd oldest Episcopalian church in Louisiana––the grounds are a sight to behold and it always seems to have this hazy quality surrounding it even on a bluebird day.
Okokok–––in this pic, my sub-par camera and shaky hand creates the haze, BUT! Really, it has this ethereal fog surrounding the lower half, always.
A closer shot of the wrought-iron gate surrounding Grace. 180 year old patina––never out of style.
Masonic Lodge
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PLANTATIONS OF ST. FRANCISVILLE
St. Francisville is also home to an expansive inventory of wonderful old plantation homes. At one point in it's earlier history, St. Francisville was one of the largest cotton ports on the Mississippi River which lent to massive working plantations and a healthy export business. Sadly, many plantation homes were destroyed in the Civil War by fire––the remaining structures we have in the South today should be–– in my opinion––revered and preserved with such vigilance in an effort to never lose these incredible living pieces of history and keep them around for as long as we possibly can.
Catalpa Plantation
Rosedown Plantation
The oaks at Rosedown are beyond majestic––a towering canopy of hundreds year old live oaks literally cover the grounds––it's fabulous. If you can't tour the home for some reason, just sit back and marvel at the grounds for a good while––stunning.
Even if you aren't into ghosts, you have to see the pierced frieze work detailing on the interior once in your lifetime––a marvel I can assure you. Notice the super-imposed seer-sucker clad gent in the far right corner––oh, maybe it's just me that sees it? Maybe I'm crazy?
And my personal favorite,
Greenwood Plantation––who's history is so rich and fascinating I'm just going to tease you and not say another peep so you can one day see for yourself!
Wasn't that fun? I hope you enjoyed Part I of my Charming Cities of the South Series. I will try my hardest to get out and visit several more destinations, so check back often to join me on more 'walking tours'!
XOXO,
ANDREA
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