National Register Listing

Dixon House

a.k.a. Moore House

38127 LA 42, Prairieville, LA
The Dixon House is locally significant within the context of the Ascension Parish community of Prairieville because its rarity and age accord it the status of a local architectural landmark.

The unincorporated community of Prairieville is prominently featured on the U.S.G.S. topographic maps for Ascension Parish. Set in the parish's northern sector, it stretches for approximately twenty square miles in a trapezoidal shape. Historically the area was agricultural, but in recent years it has experienced an explosion in population as a bedroom suburb of the nearby Baton Rouge metroplex. In many ways, this is due to its proximity to the Interstate 10 corridor and U.S. Highway 61 (Airline Highway). Although there is no central business district, the community now has a sizeable and growing building stock, most of it slab-on-grade ranch houses.

In the early to mid-1980s, the parish was covered by the Division of Historic Preservation's comprehensive Historic Structures Survey, which records each building over fifty years old. These records reveal a total of fifty-one buildings which can be considered historic because of their age. The vast majority of these are bungalows or late nineteenth/early twentieth-century unadorned cottages. There are also a few cottages with modest Queen Anne Revival features such as a polygonal bay. The Moore House is conspicuous in Prairieville as one of only five structures from the mid-nineteenth century. All five are galleried cottages with relatively plain detailing. One of them has replacement Eastlake columns. Another has been moved and raised a full story above grade on concrete blocks. The Dixon House and one or two of the other mid-nineteenth-century houses can legitimately be seen as landmarks in Prairieville because they collectively represent the community's earliest extant architectural heritage. They also stand as rare surviving historic relics in a rapidly changing, now largely suburban landscape. In addition, the Dixon House derives significance from its very unusual vernacular attempt to create a Doric frieze, a feature not found on any other house in the region.
Local significance of the building:
Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

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.

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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.

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.