Historic Nottoway Plantation Burns Down

The Nottoway Plantation, noted as the largest Civil War-era mansion in the United States, was completely destroyed by a fire earlier this week. The fire started on Thursday, with no reported injuries or fatalities.

Firefighters worked tirelessly for approximately 18 hours to extinguish the flames. As of Saturday, the cause of the fire remains under investigation. According to Iberville Parish President Chris Daigle, staff members who visited the museum discovered smoke, and by the time they returned, it was engulfed in flames. He described the loss as “complete.”

In a post on the Iberville Parish Government’s Facebook page, Daigle emphasized the significance of the plantation, stating that losing Nottoway is a setback not just for Iberville Parish, but for Louisiana as a whole. He noted its role as a cornerstone of the tourism economy and its national importance.

Originally built by John Hampden Randolph in the late 1850s, the mansion featured 64 rooms and spanned over 53,000 square feet. It boasted 365 doors and windows along with 22 iconic white pillars, with a view overlooking the Mississippi River.

Randolph, who arrived in Louisiana in 1841, initially planted cotton before transitioning to sugar cane. The mansion’s name, “Nottoway,” pays homage to the county in Virginia from which his ancestors hailed.

Records indicate that by 1860, Randolph owned 155 slaves and managed 6,200 acres of land. The estate was also home to numerous trees that dated back over a century.

In recent years, the mansion and its grounds operated as museums, resorts, and wedding venues, covering 31 acres with various accommodations, dining options, and event spaces. In a Facebook post, Daigle remarked on the property’s complex history, stating, “Its early history is undoubtedly tied to a time of great injustice, but it has evolved into a place of reflection, education, and dialogue.” He highlighted the importance of preserving this historical site for future generations.