Historic Nottoway Plantation Burned to The Ground
Historic Nottoway Plantation Burned to the Ground
The renowned Nottoway Plantation in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, once recognized as the largest surviving pre-Civil War or antebellum residence in the Southern United States, was completely destroyed by fire Thursday, May 15, 2025.
Investigators are still determining what sparked the blaze, which authorities report originated in the southern section before consuming the primary structure. The historic building had been transformed into a hospitality venue that combined resort accommodations, museum exhibitions, and event facilities.
Iberville Parish President Chris Daigle confirmed in an official announcement last week that the mansion could not be salvaged.
History
Wealthy sugar plantation owner John Hampden Randolph commissioned the immense residence, which featured 64 chambers across 53,000 square feet. Enslaved laborers completed the construction by 1859, primarily utilizing cypress timber harvested from nearby wetlands adjacent to the Mississippi River.
Design
One Comment
Lon
Our cherished Bidwell mansion located in Chico, California was destroyed a few months ago by an arsonist. When constructed in 1868, the Bidwell Mansion featured modern plumbing, gas lighting and water systems. The three-story brick structure was built in an informally romantic version of the Italianate style. It also had aspects of the Italian Villa and Octagon house types present. The building’s exterior was finished with a pink tinted plaster.
The John Bidwell family founded Chico and were active politically and militarily.
The arsonist stated his reason for wanting to demolish the structure was that he objected to the European occupation of America.
[Closed comment–maybe you could post a photo of this grand home? Thanks for all you all do!]