Rome House
LA 1 at Delany Ln., Smoke Bend, LAThe Rome House is locally significant in the area of architecture because it is easily the most significant historic building in the community of Smoke Bend. It achieves this distinction because of its Greek Revival-Italianate styling and its overall intactness.
Smoke Bend, or "Faubourg la Boucanne" as it is called on an 1850 map, retains about fifty buildings that are over fifty years old. These buildings range in date from c.1870 through the 1930s and almost all of them are very plain and/or very badly altered. With the exception of the Rome House, the only styled buildings one finds are generic bungalows and an occasional bit of Eastlake trim on an otherwise plain cottage or shotgun. There are about a half dozen other cottages of the same basic type and roughly the same period as the Rome House, but they are all in a very poor state of preservation (asbestos siding, modern wrought iron columns, lowered porch floors, etc.). Against this backdrop, the Rome House is clearly the landmark of the community. It is the only intact example of the Greek Revival-Italianate taste. (The other cottages have lost their distinguishing stylistic features such as columns, balustrades, etc.). Although the capitals and balustrades on the Rome House are replacements, they duplicate the originals, and the house today looks very much as it did when it was built.
Local significance of the building:
Smoke Bend, or "Faubourg la Boucanne" as it is called on an 1850 map, retains about fifty buildings that are over fifty years old. These buildings range in date from c.1870 through the 1930s and almost all of them are very plain and/or very badly altered. With the exception of the Rome House, the only styled buildings one finds are generic bungalows and an occasional bit of Eastlake trim on an otherwise plain cottage or shotgun. There are about a half dozen other cottages of the same basic type and roughly the same period as the Rome House, but they are all in a very poor state of preservation (asbestos siding, modern wrought iron columns, lowered porch floors, etc.). Against this backdrop, the Rome House is clearly the landmark of the community. It is the only intact example of the Greek Revival-Italianate taste. (The other cottages have lost their distinguishing stylistic features such as columns, balustrades, etc.). Although the capitals and balustrades on the Rome House are replacements, they duplicate the originals, and the house today looks very much as it did when it was built.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The Louisiana Hayride, a radio show that was broadcast from Shreveport, Louisiana, helped launch the careers of several famous musicians, including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Hank Williams. The show ran from 1948 to 1960 and was known for its promotion of country and rockabilly music.
About Ascension Parish
Ascension Parish Timeline
Ascension Parish, located in Louisiana, has a rich history that dates back to its early settlement in the early 18th century. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Houma and Choctaw, who relied on the bountiful natural resources of the region for their sustenance. The arrival of European settlers, primarily French and Spanish, in the late 18th century saw the establishment of plantations and the introduction of sugarcane cultivation, which became a vital industry.
During the antebellum period, Ascension Parish witnessed a rapid growth in its plantation economy, leading to a significant increase in the number of enslaved individuals in the area. The parish became a prominent sugar-producing region, with large plantations dominating its landscape. The wealth generated by the sugar industry also attracted the construction of grand plantation houses and the development of small towns and communities.
The parish played a significant role during the American Civil War, experiencing occupation by Union forces in 1862. The Battle of Donaldsonville took place in Ascension Parish in 1863, resulting in the victory of Union troops and the further consolidation of federal control over the region. The end of the war brought about the emancipation of enslaved individuals and marked a period of social and economic reconstruction for Ascension Parish.
In the modern era, Ascension Parish has continued to witness growth and development. The expansion of industries such as petrochemicals and manufacturing has diversified its economy. The area also experienced population growth, with new residential areas and subdivisions being established. Ascension Parish remains an important part of Louisiana's rich cultural heritage, showcasing a mix of historical plantation architecture, vibrant communities, and a dedication to preserving its unique heritage.
During the antebellum period, Ascension Parish witnessed a rapid growth in its plantation economy, leading to a significant increase in the number of enslaved individuals in the area. The parish became a prominent sugar-producing region, with large plantations dominating its landscape. The wealth generated by the sugar industry also attracted the construction of grand plantation houses and the development of small towns and communities.
The parish played a significant role during the American Civil War, experiencing occupation by Union forces in 1862. The Battle of Donaldsonville took place in Ascension Parish in 1863, resulting in the victory of Union troops and the further consolidation of federal control over the region. The end of the war brought about the emancipation of enslaved individuals and marked a period of social and economic reconstruction for Ascension Parish.
In the modern era, Ascension Parish has continued to witness growth and development. The expansion of industries such as petrochemicals and manufacturing has diversified its economy. The area also experienced population growth, with new residential areas and subdivisions being established. Ascension Parish remains an important part of Louisiana's rich cultural heritage, showcasing a mix of historical plantation architecture, vibrant communities, and a dedication to preserving its unique heritage.
Ascension Parish Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Ascension Parish, Louisiana.
- 1699: Ascension Parish is first explored by Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and his brother Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville.
- 1722: Ascension Parish is officially established as a judicial district of the French colony of Louisiana.
- 1807: Ascension Parish becomes part of the newly formed Territory of Orleans, which is later admitted into the Union as the state of Louisiana.
- 1830s: Cotton becomes a major cash crop in Ascension Parish, leading to the growth of plantations and an increase in enslaved laborers.
- 1861-1865: Ascension Parish, like much of the South, is deeply affected by the American Civil War.
- 1889: The Louisiana Legislature creates the current boundaries of Ascension Parish.
- 20th century: Ascension Parish experiences industrial growth with the discovery of oil and the establishment of chemical plants along the Mississippi River.
- 2010: Ascension Parish becomes one of the fastest-growing parishes in Louisiana.