The plantation first raised indigo, corn, and rice. But Soon they converted to growing sugarcane, a much more lucrative crop after Etienne deBore discovered an inexpensive method of granulating sugar in 1795. During Destrehan’s lifetime the plantation grew extensively.

Like many planters along the Mississippi, Destrehan was as interested in having a large family as he was in producing sugar. The solid brick garconnieres, somewhat attached on both sides of the main house, were additions to accommodate the increasing family. These two new units, though slightly asymmetrical in size, conformed so well with the original West Indies-style architecture, they seemed part of the structure.

In 1823 Stephen Henderson, a wealthy Scotsman, took Destrehan Plantation over. He married Lelia Destrehan; her death preceded her husband’s though she was only half his age. Henderson died in 1838, leaving a most complicated will. Because the will was contested by his surviving relatives, most of its provisions were set aside by the Louisiana Supreme Court. Henderson had directed that upon his death his slaves be emancipated, given an acre of land, a mule and a cow, or, if they chose, given passage to Liberia. The litigation over this and other then controversial philanthropic provisions in the will continued for years, and most of the estate went for legal fees.

In 1839 Judge Pierre A. Rost, another son-in-law of Jean Destrehan, acquired Destrehan Manor. Rost began an extensive renovation, altering the house’s West Indies appearance to conform with the then-popular Greek Revival style. Great white pillars were formed by covering the earlier wooden colonettes with brick and plaster. The original bousillage entre poteaux (Spanish moss and sand between posts) walls were lathed over, plastered, and scored to resemble granite stones.

One of Destrehan’s outstanding architectural features is its high-peaked West Indies-style roof. Three smallish dormer windows and two asymmetrical chimneys jut out from the roof. The original heart-of-cypress, handhewn beams are visible throughout the house. Also in the house is a large marble bathtub said to have been a gift from Emperor Napoleon I to Jean Noel Destrehan.

Many noted guests were entertained at the manor house during the years the Destrehans and their descendants occupied the property. Two of the most famous were the Duc d’Orleans, who became king of France, and the renowned pirate-hero Jean Lafitte, whose ghost appears during stormy nights pointing to where he hid some of his treasure.

Union forces seized the house during the Civil War and turned the property into a Freedman’s Bureau colony, housing hundreds of newly freed slaves. The property was returned to the Rost family through presidential intercession in 1866, and remained in the family until 1910.

Since 1914, Destrehan has been the property of various oil refining companies that still utilize some of the acreage. In 1972 the manor house, devastated by neglect, vandalism, and the elements, was donated to the River Road Historical Society. This dedicated, nonprofit group began an immediate restoration of the manor house and several acres of picturesque grounds. Today, Destrehan Manor House is open daily to the public. All proceeds from admissions, annual festivals, and profits from the charming antique and gift shop are dedicated to Destrehan’s continuing restoration.

For more information on the Destrehan Plantation read more at the Hotel Monteleone.

If you are visiting the city of New Orleans and you would like to experience an authentic southern plantation pre-civil war then the San Francisco Plantation should be on your list. It is only 30-40 minutes from downtown and it is on the Mississippi river. The history of the plantation, like all plantations, is thick and laced with tragedy. The owner was a “free man of color” and his wife and six out of his eight children died of tuberculosis. When the owner passed, one of his two surviving sons Valsin’s, moved back from Germany to take over the home. He and his German wife did not want to stay but were forced to because of the massive debt the home was in. This story does not end with a happy ending because Valsin later died of tuberculosis. The unusual name “San Francisco” is believed to be derived from Valsin’s comment about the extraordinary debt he was confronted with when taking over the estate. He declared he was sans fruscins or “without a penny in my pocket.” The name evolved into St. Frusquin and, in 1879, was changed into “San Francisco” by the next owner, Achille D. Bougère. I believe that they should of called it Tuberculosis Plantation because of the eight residence who died of it. There is also a story that Valsin’s children both died in the home, one may have falling down the stairs. This is why the house is said to be haunted!

The San Fransico Plantation is the only authentically restored plantation in Louisiana and it is on the Mississippi river. This is a rarity because in 1932 the Army Corps of Engineers finished building the levee system and destroyed many historic Plantations that were built on the river bank. Thanks to local residents who lobbied the Louisiana legislature to pass a measure that would save as many plantations along the River Road as possible. The Army Corps of Engineers moved the levee around the Plantation to protect it and the land from flooding.

The only negative of the Plantation is the surrounding area has a lot of industrial buildings for the shipping business. I recommend that you read the Hotel Monteleone’s review of the San Francisco Plantation.