Mile 170.7 - LBD Houmas House Plantation and Gardens

170.7 LBD Houmas House Plantation and Gardens

Paddlers could possibly make landing at primitive boat ramp here, over the levee from the Houmas House Plantation and Gardens. But be sure to remove your vessel completely from the water, or leave someone to guard. High waves crash along these shores, which are composed of steep rip-rap. For $400 per night paddlers could enjoy a 5-star luxury in a classic Louisiana Plantation. Then again, for no charge except some extra paddling miles, you could stay at a 5-star sandbar a little further downstream! Houmas House Plantation and Gardens, 40136 LA-942, Darrow, LA.

When John Burnside purchased the Houmas House in 1857, he was one of the largest slave owners in Louisiana and people were calling him "the Sugar Prince." He was said to have had 6,000 acres of cane in one unbroken tract in 186l. During the Civil War, Burnside, still a British subject, kept his great house intact and defied the Federal forces to molest him. After the war, he continued planting sugar cane with hired labor. (Braggs: Historic Names)

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