San Francisco Plantation House facts for kids
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San Francisco Plantation House
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 Location in Louisiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2646 Louisiana Highway 44, Garyville, Louisiana, U.S. |
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| Area | 8 acres (3.2 ha) |
| Built | 1856 |
| Architectural style | Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 74002186 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 30, 1974 |
| Designated NHL | May 30, 1974 |
The San Francisco Plantation House is a very old and special house in Reserve, St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. It was built a long time ago, between 1853 and 1856. This house is famous because it has a unique and beautiful style, making it one of the most interesting plantation houses in the southern United States. In 1974, it was recognized as a National Historic Landmark, which means it's a very important historical place. Today, it's a museum where people can visit and learn about its past. It's also used for special events.
Contents
About San Francisco Plantation House
What the House Looks Like
The San Francisco Plantation House sits near the Mississippi River in Louisiana. It is separated from the river by a road and a levee. The house stands on about 8 acres (3.2 hectares) of land.
The house is a one-and-a-half-story building with a full basement. The basement has a brick floor. Strong brick supports hold up the main house above. Stairs on the sides lead up to the main floor. This floor has a fancy porch on three sides. The porch is supported by columns with detailed iron tops.
The house has a roof that hangs out far and is very decorative. This special style is sometimes called "Steamboat Gothic." It looks a bit like the fancy steamboats that used to travel on the river. The inside of the house is also very decorated. Some paintings on the ceilings and doors are thought to be by a famous artist from New Orleans named Dominique Canova.
Its Interesting Name
The house was built for a man named Edmond Marmillion. It is believed to have been built between 1853 and 1856. The unusual name "San Francisco" has a fun story behind it.
Edmond's oldest son, Valsin, took over the estate. He found himself in a lot of debt. He supposedly said he was "sans fruscins," which means "without a penny in my pocket" in French. Over time, this saying changed into "St. Frusquin." Then, in 1879, the next owner, Achille D. Bougère, changed the name to "San Francisco."
Visiting the House
The San Francisco Plantation House has been carefully restored. It now looks like it did in the 1850s. Visitors can take tours to explore the house and learn about its history. There is also a special building on the grounds that can be rented for parties and other events.
Please note that the San Francisco Plantation House was closed in 2022.
See also
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Louisiana
- National Register of Historic Places listings in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana
- Frances Parkinson Keyes (1885–1970), author of a novel called Steamboat Gothic
