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Three hundred years ago the roots were planted for a plantation home that is still one of the showplaces of the South. This plantation would become known all along the Mississippi River as Oak Alley.
Early in the 1700s advertisements telling of opulence and riches that awaited those who came and settled in Louisiana. An unknown Frenchman believing these promises found an area between Baton Rouge and New Orleans to attempt to fulfill his dreams. His first step was to plant a quarter mile, double row avenue of twenty-eight live oak trees leading from the river. Although the Frenchman’s dreams didn’t pan out, these trees thrived in the rich fertile soil and gave the plantation its name.
A French Creole by the name of Jacques Telephore Roman purchased the property from his brother in law as a wedding gift to his wife Celina in 1834. It wasn’t until 1837 that construction on the house began and in 1839, the wealthy sugar planter from New Orleans finally had the main house complete. Mrs. Roman fell in love with the Greek-revival mansion with its twenty-eight classical columns and promptly named it “Bon Sejour” but the name never stuck. The live oak trees had by this time developed into a beautiful canopy and the travelers along the Mississippi insisted it was “Oak Alley”.
Jacques Roman died of tuberculosis in 1848 but the family remained at the plantation and survived the Civil War only to be forced to sell it in 1866 for the paltry sum of $32,800.00.
Oak Alley went through a succession of owners until a Portuguese immigrant bought it in 1881. This immigrant’s name was Antonio Sobral and with his sons and daughters raised sugar cane on the plantation until it was sold in 1905.
It was the next long term owner, Jefferson Davis Hardin Jr. who began trying to restore the old home in 1917. During his tenure as owner, the roof of the main house was replaced, the overseer’s house was restored and the old jail turned into living quarters. It was during this time the mighty oaks became endangered by the Corps of Engineers who had plans to build a new levee along the river. Mr. Hardin actually won his battle against the Corps but after several other financial setbacks had to sell the plantation in 1924.
Two steamboat travelers, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Stewart had seen the plantation while the Hardins were in residence and fell in love with the mansion and purchased it in 1925. It is due to their efforts the plantation was saved from becoming ruins like so many others along the Mississippi. Before her death in 1972, Mrs. Stewart set up the Oak Alley Foundation to make sure the house and twenty-five acres remained in a condition to allow visitors to come and enjoy the beauty and elegance of the home.
Oak Alley is not only open for public tours year around, it is still a working plantation as well as a marvelous bed and breakfast. The accommodations include several turn of the century Creole cottages, a full country breakfast for its overnight visitors and all the peace and quiet a visitor could want. Oak Alley is located on “The River Road” at 3645 Highway18 in Vacherie, Louisiana.
Prospective visitors should be warned that as with many of the great homes, claims of possible spirits abound. Tour guides and visitors alike have reported seeing ghostly figures, empty rocking chairs moving in unison and things moving from tables and desk tops.
During one incident, a candlestick flew across a room and was witnessed not only by a tour guide but also the thirty-five Gray Line Bus passengers who were present. Other reports include the sound of carriage wheels and horse’s hoofs, crying babies, ticking clocks and images in photographs taken by visitors.
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