National Register Listing

Whitney Plantation Historic District

LA 18 E of Wallace, Wallace, LA
Local significance of the district:
Historic - Non-aboriginal; Art; Agriculture; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

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.

Louisiana has a rich culinary history and is known for dishes such as gumbo, jambalaya, and crawfish étouffée. The state's cuisine is heavily influenced by French, African, and Native American cooking traditions.
Louisiana random facts
St. John The Baptist Parish, located in southeastern Louisiana, has a rich and diverse history that spans over centuries. This historic region was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Houmas and Choctaws, before European exploration and settlement began. The parish was officially established in 1807 and is named after St. John The Baptist, the patron saint of the region.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, St. John The Baptist Parish thrived as an agricultural hub, known for its vast plantations and large slave populations. The area was primarily focused on cultivating sugar cane, which resulted in the parish becoming one of the leading sugar-producing regions in the United States. The legacy of this era can still be seen today in the grand plantation homes and restored sugar mills that dot the landscape.

Throughout its history, the parish has faced numerous challenges, including devastating hurricanes and natural disasters. Perhaps the most infamous event in recent memory is Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which caused widespread destruction, displacement, and loss of life. However, the community rallied together, rebuilt homes, and recovered, demonstrating its resilience and determination.

Today, St. John The Baptist Parish is a vibrant and thriving community that embraces its diverse cultural heritage. The region is known for its amazing cuisine, festivals, and vibrant music scene. It continues to be an important center for agriculture, with sugar cane farming still playing a significant role in the local economy. St. John The Baptist Parish stands as a testament to the strength of its people and the spirit of community that has shaped its history.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana.

  • 1807: St. John The Baptist Parish, LA, is established as one of the original 19 parishes of the Territory of Orleans.
  • 1812: The parish becomes part of the state of Louisiana when it is admitted to the Union.
  • 1834: The town of Edgard is founded and becomes the parish seat.
  • 1850s: The parish experiences a boom in sugar production, with numerous sugar plantations established.
  • 1862-1865: St. John The Baptist Parish is occupied by Union forces during the Civil War.
  • 1877: The parish courthouse in Edgard is destroyed by fire.
  • 1884: The town of LaPlace is incorporated and becomes an important center in the parish.
  • 1926: The parish courthouse is rebuilt in Edgard.
  • 1960s: The parish's population and industrial development grow significantly.
  • 2005: St. John The Baptist Parish is severely impacted by Hurricane Katrina, with widespread flooding and damage.
  • 2013: Construction begins on the "Resilient Eden Isle" flood protection system to improve the parish's resilience to future storms.