6 Jul 2010

Destrehan Manor

Destrehan Manor overlooks the east bank of the Mississippi River several miles above New Orleans. In a contract, translated from French and still on file at the local courthouse, it is written that in 1787 “Robert Antoine Robin de Longy and  Charles [Pacquet], free mulatto, have agreed … that the said Charles, carpenter, woodworker and […]

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24 Jun 2010

Magnificent Chretien Point

In 1776 a Spanish land grant awarded Pierre Declouet a rise of ground about eight miles from what is now the city of Opelousas. Hippolyte Chretien, one of three brothers from France, purchased the property in about 1800 to raise cotton, the popular crop of the area. Stories mention the friendship that Hippolyte had a […]

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