Carter Plantation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Carter Plantation
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 Location in Louisiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 30325 Carter Cemetery Road, Springfield, Louisiana |
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| Area | 8.5 acres (3.4 ha) |
| Built | c.1820 |
| Built by | Thomas Freeman |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 79001069 |
| Added to NRHP | February 23, 1979 |
The Carter Plantation, also called the Carter House, is a very old plantation home. It is located southwest of Springfield, Louisiana in Livingston Parish, Louisiana, Louisiana, United States. A plantation was a large farm where crops were grown, often using the labor of enslaved people.
In 1817, Thomas Freeman bought this land. He was a free person of color, meaning he was not enslaved. He was the first African American to own property in this area. The home was built between 1817 and 1820. It was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This means it is a special place worth protecting for its history.
Contents
A Look Back at Carter Plantation
How the Land Was Used
The Carter Plantation was once a very large property, about 2,000 acres. It has a unique history. Thomas Freeman, a free man of color, owned the plantation. He and the people who were enslaved there managed the land. They grew crops like corn. Cotton, which was common in the South, was not grown here.
Timber and Transportation
A big part of the plantation was a cypress swamp. This swamp was an important source of timber, which is wood from trees. Cutting and selling timber was the main way the plantation made money.
The Blood River was very important for moving the timber. Boats would carry the wood mainly south to New Orleans. This trip used to take about two to three days. Later, when railroads were built, the river became less important for transport. This caused the plantation's business to slow down.
Schools on the Plantation
There were two schoolhouses on the plantation property. One school was for the owner's children and their cousins. The other was a separate schoolhouse hidden in the woods. This secret school was where enslaved children could learn.
Civil War Events
In March 1865, near the end of the Civil War, something interesting happened here. A small group of Confederate naval forces stayed at the plantation. From here, they launched a successful attack. They fought against a Union Navy operation on the lower Amite River. Two men, Lt. Edward J. McDermott and Louis Bernard, were killed in the battle. Their bodies were buried in the Springfield Cemetery.
Carter Plantation Today
Today, the historic Carter Plantation house is part of a modern resort. It serves as the real estate center for "The Villas and the Carter Plantation Golf Resort." There is also a large cemetery on the property.
