Discover St John the Baptist

St John the Baptist brings together plantation history, distinctive architecture, and waterside landscapes. Evergreen Plantation is in Wallace on the west bank of the Mississippi River; San Francisco Plantation is on the east bank near the small historic town of Garyville.

Settlement History and Regional Names

Saint John the Baptist Parish was the second permanent settlement in Louisiana. A group of Germans founded it in the early 1720s; as a result, the area became known as “La Cote des Allemands” or “The German Coast.” These names provide a historical context for the region. The River Road Historic District is also referred to as “The Historic Towns of Edgard, Lucy, and Wallace.”

Plantations with Different Areas of Focus

Evergreen Plantation in Wallace is on the west bank of the Mississippi River and is the best-preserved plantation complex in the South. Thirty-seven buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including 22 slave cabins. The tour is based on hundreds of pages of documentation, a public archaeology project funded by a grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, and ongoing research into oral history and the cultural landscape. This focus encompasses both the surviving structures and their historical context.

Whitney Plantation takes a different approach: sixteen original structures have been preserved on its grounds, including the Big House and two slave cabins. Whitney is the only plantation museum in Louisiana devoted exclusively to slavery. Evergreen’s tour is based on hundreds of pages of documentation, a public archaeology project, and ongoing research into oral history and the cultural landscape; Whitney, as Louisiana’s only plantation museum, focuses exclusively on slavery.

Architecture and Location on the Mississippi

San Francisco Plantation was built in 1856 by Edmond Bozonier Marmillon. Five elaborately hand-painted ceilings are among its distinctive architectural features. Its location differs from Evergreen’s: San Francisco is on the east bank of the Mississippi River, near the small historic town of Garyville; Evergreen is in Wallace on the west bank. San Francisco is less than 40 minutes from New Orleans or Baton Rouge.

Wetland and Waterside Landscapes

The Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area consists mostly of flooded cypress-tupelo swamp. For freshwater fishing, Reserve Canal offers a canal system connected to local swamp areas. Fishing there is possible year-round for species such as largemouth bass, black crappie, and spotted bass. Check the applicable fishing regulations and required licenses before setting out.

Peavine Boat Launch offers another starting point for boating: the public, four-lane boat launch is located off Highway 51. It has ample trailer parking and provides access to Lake Pontchartrain and Manchac. Fees may apply; check the conditions and any applicable fees before setting out.

Choosing the Right Focus

If plantation history and architecture are your main interests, the preserved buildings, Evergreen’s research foundation, and Whitney’s exclusive focus help distinguish the sites. For a trip centered on wetlands and freshwater fishing, the Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area and Reserve Canal are the main attractions.

Discover more destinations: Laplace, Reserve, Natchitoches Parish, Beauregard Parish, Avoyelles Parish, Webster, Terrebonne Parish, St. Tammany Parish

For the main travel overview: Louisiana.