Monte Verdi Plantation facts for kids
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Monte Verdi Plantation
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 Monte Verdi Plantation
Location in Texas
Monte Verdi Plantation
Location in the United States
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| Location | 11992 CR 4233, Cushing, Texas |
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| Area | 100.00 acres (40.47 ha) |
| Built | 1854 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 14000104 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | March 31, 2014 |
The Monte Verdi Plantation is a historic farm in Rusk County, Texas. It was a place where enslaved Black people were forced to work. They grew cotton for the white owners of the farm.
Contents
History of Monte Verdi Plantation
Who Started Monte Verdi Plantation?
Julien Sidney Devereux bought land starting in 1845. He was a member of the Sixth Texas Legislature, which means he helped make laws for Texas. By 1849, he named his land Monte Verdi. This name means "green mountain" in Italian.
Life on the Plantation
By 1850, 74 enslaved African people were forced to work on the plantation. They grew a lot of cotton, producing 120 bales each year. This made Monte Verdi one of the most productive farms in Texas. At its largest, the plantation covered about 10,700 acres.
The Plantation House
The main house, also called the mansion, was built between 1856 and 1857. It was designed in the Greek Revival style. This style looks like ancient Greek temples. The house has two stories and six large columns on the front. There is also a balcony on the second floor.
In the early 1960s, Emmett F. Lowry and his wife worked to restore the house. They made sure it looked like it did when it was first built.
Monte Verdi Plantation as a Historic Site
What Makes it a Historic Site?
The Monte Verdi Plantation house became a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1964. This means it is an important historical place in Texas. Also, a 100-acre part of the plantation was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. This list includes important historic places across the United States.
This historic area helps us remember the history of a large cotton farm. It was active for many years, especially around the time of the American Civil War.
Features of the Historic Area
The main plantation house is a great example of Greek Revival architecture. It still has many of its original parts. After being restored in 1960, the first floor of the house has an L-shape, and the second floor is rectangular. The house is about 2,960 square feet in size.
Besides the main house, there is also an old water well that is part of the historic site. Other buildings have been added to the property more recently.
The Birdwell House
The plantation also includes the Birdwell House. This house became a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1967. It was built around 1840 and was originally in Mount Pleasant. It was moved to the Monte Verdi Plantation later.
