Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Charming Cities Of The South Series Part I • St. Francisville, LA

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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!



Image courtesy of stfrancisville.net

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.

Image courtesy of stfrancisville.net



Image courtesy of stfrancisville.net

 Masonic Lodge


••••••••••••••••••••••••

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. 



Image courtesy of stfrancisville.net

Catalpa Plantation

Image courtesy of stfrancisville.net

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. 




The Myrtles Plantation––One of America's Most HAUNTED HOMES!!!! 
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?

Image courtesy of stfrancisville.net


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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13 comments:

Anonymous said...

St. Francisville is an awesome place to visit but an even better place to live.

celeste.white said...

I don't think you can squeeze in any more beautiful places! How lovely!

Shadetree Inn said...

What a beautiful group of photos on our beautiful little town. I love living here not only because it's so charming, but also because the people here are so friendly and accepting. Here's a charming B&B located on a 4-acre hilltop on the corner of the two main streets in town. Once you park your car, on the grounds you'll see tons of birds and deer grazing on the dale leading down to the Mississippi River: http://www.shadetreeinn.com

Karen said...

I'm starting a list---must visit the south. Thank you for introducing me to such a beautiful, historical part of the country.

All The Trappings said...

Thanks everyone!

Karen-

Great times to visit the South are in March-May and October-(mid) November. We have GORGEOUS weather here, if only for a small window of time! The summers are enough to make me want to get a place far away north and the winters are a little drab....also if you decide to visit Louisiana, email me and I'll give you the run-down of what's going on at the time you'll be in :) We are never at a loss for festivals and parties!


Andrea

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous pictures, thanks for sharing those. My parents are from the Oberlin area of Louisiana. The whole state is rich in so much history.

All The Trappings said...

How cool, anon 7:34!

I would love to dedicate a whole series of blogposts on Fred's in Mamou and the Eunice Courier de Mardi Gras!! I plan on it hopefully this coming year and can't WAIT to see the reactions of everyone...I don't know that the general public understands how fascinating/
wild/insane/incredible Louisiana culture is ;)

Thanks for stopping by!

Andrea

mecdaniel said...

I thoroughly enjoyed your stroll through St. Francisville. No doubt it is a beautiful and charming little town just waiting to be discovered. March 18th,19th and 20th of 2011 the 40th Annual Audubon Pilgrimage will be held. During this time several private homes, that are usually not open to the public, along with Rosedown, Oakley and Afton Villa Gardens will be recieving guests while docents dressed in period costumes graciously share the rich history. For more information on on this discovery you can call
(225) 635-6330. There will also be a Grace Church Cemetery Tour, Wine & Cheese Reception, a street dance style Soiree', Rural Homestead Community activities and much, much more.

Kelle Dame said...

I could get lost in this town for days!! How charming! I am little freaked out by all the dark clouds above the haunted house though...I would be steering clear of that one! Thanks for the tour!

Kelle
xx

cotedetexas said...

one day, one day i promise!!!!! we would have so much fun!!!

decorative deluxe said...

I love it those places have perfect proportions (just good ol' real architecture), thanks for the eye candy. Saving all images in my Jenni's dream house folder:)

decorative deluxe said...

Also, when I'm old and Todd has gone can we buy Greenwood Plantation and open a design firm kinda like Designing Women meets Golden Girls (that's my retirement plan);)

Jane Kilpatrick Schott said...

Really great photos on this post. Especially love the eeriness of the bird in the fog with the plantation behind...fab!