Home Place Plantation Home in Hahnville is one of the oldest homes in the state of Louisiana. The home, built in approximately 1791, is a national landmark. Many of the original features are still in evidence and remarkably well preserved. Photo by H.E. Yoes III. From the St. Charles Herald No. 13 Vol. 9, May 11, 1972.
A drawing by Architect Richard S. Caldwell for the magazine “Louisiana Architects.” The drawing represents the home before Keller removed the older steps on the right with centered steps. Photo by Henry E. Yoes III. From the St. Charles Herald No. 13 Vol. 9, May 11, 1972.
An early picture of Home Place complete with the plantation bell to the left and the cistern on the right. The barn can also be seen at the left. The picture was taken around 1900. From the St. Charles Herald No. 13 Vol. 9, May 11, 1972.
The old barn is not standing now. This picture was taken about 1900. The structure was built prior to the Civil War and was supposed to be used as a hospital for wounded soldiers, but there were no major battles in the Parish. From the St. Charles Herald No. 13 Vol. 9, May 11, 1972.
The trees that P.A. Keller planted around 1900 now grace the driveway in their full magnificence. Photo by H.E. Yoes III. From the St. Charles Herald No. 13 Vol. 9, May 11, 1972. Many of these trees were replaced after 2010 as the old ones fell or were damaged by storms.
Places for riflemen were built into the house. From the St. Charles Herald No. 13 Vol. 9, May 11, 1972.
Pierre A. Keller bought the house in 1889. His the original Keller of Keller Home Place. From the St. Charles Herald No. 13 Vol. 9, May 11, 1972.
This is the only remaining staircase of the original home. It is situated at the right rear of Someplace. Skillful ironwork holds the rails in place. The handrails are oak. An identical staircase was originally in the right side of the home but after many storms damaged it, an architect advised on placing a new staircase in front of the building. Photo by H.E. Yoes. From the St. Charles Herald No. 13 Vol. 9, May 11, 1972.
The carriage house is slowly feeling the weight of a large oak tree which hides it from view. Photo by H.E. Yoes. From the St. Charles Herald No. 13 Vol. 9, May 11, 1972. Also a pigennaire.
Michel Paulin lived in the big house, with the Kellers and was the plantation blacksmith. From the St. Charles Herald No. 13 Vol. 9, May 11, 1972.
The plantation bell was case in 1806 and hung over the plantation until 1965 when Hurricane Betsy knocked it down. It is now kept in one of the bottom floor rooms and perhaps one day it will again hang over Home Place. Photo by H.E. Yoes. From the St. Charles Herald No. 13 Vol. 9, May 11, 1972.
Richard L. Keller is the only remaining child of Pierre Keller. Richard’s mother’s father bought the plantation in 1883. Richard has spent a great deal of time researching both the history of Home Place and also the history of the West Bank of the River. Photo by H.E. Yoes III. From the St. Charles Herald No. 13 Vol. 9, May 11, 1972.
Architects are amazed at the craftsmanship that went into the carved oak handrails. From the St. Charles Herald No. 13 Vol. 9, May 11, 1972.
Many sugar kettles can still be found in the rear of the home. They were salvaged from the plantation sugar mill which was torn down in 1894. Photo by Henry E. Yoes III. From the St. Charles Herald No. 13 Vol. 9, May 11, 1972.
Rear view of Sellers Plantation in Norco.
18th Century raised cottage located in Sellers (now Norco) 100 yards east of the Bonnet Carré Spillway. Photo taken by Walt Day in 1940.
Cooking galettes Nancy Wilson lecture on Louisiana's Italians- Folkways and cuisine.
Good Hope Plantation was the home of brothers Thomas and Edouard Oxnard and brother-in-law, Brice Similien LaBranche. Brice LaBranche served in the militia, was a member of Captain Trudeau’s Troop of Horse in the Battle of New Orleans, and served as a churchwarden and member of the Louisiana State Legislature. The Oxnard family remained involved in the sugar industry throughout the twentieth century. Good Hope was bought by Leon Sarpy after the Civil War. This site is now the town of Norco and home to Shell/Motiva. Note the many dwellings and support buildings (“dependencies”). Each plantation was designed to be as self-contained as possible.