Topic starter
22/11/2013 4:57 pm
The LeBeau Plantation House, headquarters for the 1200 acre Arabia Sugar Plantation just below New Orleans, and one of the points of interest on the NATCHEZ trip, burned to the ground last night. The origin is suspicious - seems there is talk of a real estate development for that area, naw, pure coincidence... Here's the early NOLA newspaper coverage:
Arson suspected in LeBeau Plantation fire, St. Bernard fire chief says | NOLA.com
If you are trying to place it, it is just upriver from the Domino Sugar Refinery. Port Ship Services has their water taxi office on the bank directly in front of it. The house has been uninhabited for over 30 years. Back in the 1980s there was a fire which damaged the upper section, but repairs were made to that. It remained empty as a battle went on as to which heirs were to receive it, resulting in no one getting it. Over the years semi cargo boxes were stacked up around it, blocking the view and entrance to the land, but in the last couple of years they had been removed and the land was cleared so that one could advance to within 20 feet or so, to the chain link fence guarding the building.
Topic starter
22/11/2013 6:16 pm
Straight from the NATCHEZ
Here is a picture of the ruins - the 4 chimneys - taken by Debbie Fagnano on the NATCHEZ' 11:30 trip today...
Topic starter
22/11/2013 7:57 pm
My last shots of the LeBeau
These were taken Nov. 16, 2011. As you can see, I was able to get quite close to the house. For many years the yard had been filled with semi containers which not only kept you away, but blocked the view almost completely.
There was only one stairway, and it was on the outside back porch. Stairs and closets added to the taxation value, so were kept to a minimum.
23/11/2013 1:23 am
More on the LeBeau Plantation House
All day long, since the sad news broke early this morning, I've been thinking of the LeBeau Plantation House. Although never inside the fence, I have seen the house numerous times, usually from the decks of the Str. NATCHEZ.
Attached herewith is an image, taken by Judy Patsch in June, 1987, shortly after the FIRST fire destroyed the third floor, attic, cupola and roof, as well as much of the interior. A newspaper article in my files states that the 1987 fire was started by arsonists pouring gasoline throughout the first and second floors. The 1854 structure was said to be one of the most architecturally significant plantation homes in Louisiana and had been partially restored following the 1987 blaze.
As curator of a house museum that survived a disastrous fire in 1971, I am reminded of what can quickly happen each time I go to the attic and see the large roof timbers that still have charred portions in them and the smell of smoke still permeates that area under certain weather conditions. Recently, some of the ceiling in the first floor hallway was removed, revealing other vestiges of the fire. We are considering creating an exhibit showing how the house has survived a fire and the 1937 flood when water stood 7 feet deep in the mansion, reaching the 13th step of the grand staircase. The HSM now has a fire detection system throughout the entire three floors, cellar and attic.
The loss of the LeBeau house is a great blow to New Orleans history and to all of us who love the grace and grandeur of plantation homes on the Mississippi.
Topic starter
23/11/2013 2:11 am
1987 fire
I had forgotten how much of it was destroyed then. The fire was on a Saturday. On Monday Roddy and I drove down there and were able to climb around the first floor checking out the damage. We were pretty proud of getting down there so soon and getting into the house. When we got back, we told Doc what we had done. Turns out he beat us to it! He rode his bike down there on Sunday when he was off and we weren't!