bibliography introduction the early days The architectural style [of Destrehan Manor House] is rare in this area. The Gothic roof style shows a typical house of the West Indies. Thick walls, brick and cypress are common to the structure. discovered 13 years later at the settlement prisoners and prostitutes who were near Donaldsonville. promised their freedom in return for marrying each other and settling in It was in March of 1699 that Iberville Louisiana. Realizing that these people ascended the lower Mississippi. The two were not prepared for the new world, main groups of Indians which had settled Law’s company looked to other countries in the area were the Quinipissas on the for colonists. West Bank and the Tangipahoa on the East Bank. The virtues of the new world, some real and some fantasy, were lauded in Europe. It would be safe to assume that he Many Germans, persecuted or destitute encountered these people during his due to the ravages of war, looked forward exploration at the time. The tribes were to a new land of freedom and prosperity. part of the Muskogee nation of the Of the reported 10,000 Germans who southwest and spoke the Muskogee chose to make the journey to the new Rendering of Ormond Plantation language. world, less than 2,000 arrived. Diseases begun in the ports of France due to a lack “briquette entre poteaux” or “bricks married into the family, took over. In 1870 of sanitation and accommodations were between posts,” which was common the McCutchons, beset by economic colonization — carried aboard ship. Only the healthiest of among the homes of the Canadians. The issues, lost Ormond. the germans German stock survived the journey. 30-foot ends are of similar construction except that bousillage (mud) is used It was to pass though many hands before For 32 years the French persisted in their The first Germans arrived in what is now between the bricks. being restored to its original grace and attempts to colonize Louisiana. Beset with St. Charles Parish in 1719. The ships “les glory by the Browns. a depleted treasury due to constant wars, Dues Freres” and “Porte Faix” carried the The two wings, which were added under France decided to allow private companies foreign passengers to various sections of the supervision of Henry S. Latrohe, are destrehan manor to colonize the area. Between 1699 and the Louisiana coastline. A census taken in constructed of plastered brick. Eleven-foot 1731 the majority of the colonists were of 1724 reveals the location of two German Tuscan style plastered brick columns rise house French or German extraction. settlements located 30 miles upriver from from low brick bases to the upper gallery. Destrehan Manor is one of the oldest New Orleans. Squared cypress posts decrease in size at plantations on the East Bank of the In 1717, John Law’s Western Company, the balustrade railing and continue to plain Mississippi River. Built in 1787 for Antoine later known as the company of the Indies, In 1722 a group of Germans from Law’s cornices. Robert de Logny, it was acquired by took over the concessions. This company company arrived in New Orleans after Celeste de Logny, wife of Noel Destrehan. received the trade monopoly for 25 years. enduring much hardship in the Biloxi area. The house passed from the hands of the It had the right to issue an unlimited They approached Gov. Bienville for fare Trepagniers to Richard Butler of American The marriage contract and contract for the number of shares of stock and the back to France. Bienville succeeded in Revolution then to Alfred Brown of New house can be seen even today in the privilege of both giving away and selling convincing them to join the Germans 25 Orleans. courthouse in Hahnville. When Mrs. land. The company was then obligated to miles upriver from New Orleans. Destrehan, widow of Jean Noel Destrehan bring to Louisiana during the life of the After the War of 1812, Butler settled here and daughter of the builder, died in 1823, franchise at least 6,000 white people and The villages together became known as and named the house after Ormond Castle the house was sold to Stephan 3,000 people of color. Karlstein (now Lucy). According to the of Ireland. In 1820, after the yellow fever Henderson. Later the house was owned by French "L’Observateur" newspaper of epidemic, the McCutchons, who had the Rost family, which held it through the The first settlers recruited were French Page 4 | Colonization – The Germans Destrehan Manor House | Page 21 keller s homeplace plantation ormond plantation transportation to the East Bank for church Gen. Don Alexandra O’Reilly was integrated. during the 1800s at Bonnet Carre, Davis worship on Sundays. appointed captain general and governor of Cravasse and Hymelia in 1912 took its toll Louisiana by Spain. In 1879 the Board of Directors, now called on plantation land. The move from Trinity on the West Bank to the School Board, was composed of eight Destrehan on the East Bank was done for O’Reilly dimmed the spirits of the members. They were Emile Rost, P.M. Strikes for higher wages began in St. another reason as well. There was an insurgents with a few hangings. For some Keller, Leon Sarpy, H.L. Younger, H.C. Charles in 1880, when negro farm workers influx of people moving to the East Bank. reason, Chevalier D’Arensbourg, McCutcheon (negro), George Essex went on strike for a 25 cents a day The church, like the civil parish, was commander of Karlstein, was spared. (negro), Pierre Darensbourg (negro), T.T. increase in wages. The presence of the named for St. Charles Borromeo, the son Baudouin, (white) secretary; and A. military and the diplomacy of Judge James of Count Gilbert Borromeo and Margaret The official census records from 1774 give Robens (negro), parish treasurer. A. Augustin squelled the rioting workers. In Medici and the nephew of Pope Pius IV. the end, the stickers were granted clemency. The cemetery at St. Charles is the oldest The Tombstones Read: yesterday, today, German cemetery in the South. It is the JACQUES FORTIER tomorrow During the late 1890s and early 1900s, site of many beautiful and costly tombs. It Born: March 4, 1759 From 1877 to 1975, ferries played an plantations were sold for industrial is said that when Amelie Perret Rixner Died: September 15, 1820 important part in the transportation system purposes. These areas went from the died, her husband, George, spent $10,000 of the parish. In 1887 ferries operated at production of sugar to oilfields in just a few on her tomb. Three of the oldest tombs are JEAN BAPTISTE LEBRANCHE several points along the river. short years. Industry brought not only relief those of Jacques Fortier, Jean Baptist Born: May 3, 1777 for the farmers but steady economic LaBranche and Francois Trepagnier. Died: July 27, 1837 Although Baptist and Methodist churches growth to the citizens of the parish. were evident in the parish after the Civil During the 1700s when the French FRANCOIS TREPAGNIER War, the predominant religion is Lumber companies, which began in 1895, Canadians joined the Germans, Louisiana Born: November 17, 1775 Catholicism. continued operation into the 20th Century was under the rule of Spain. Gov. Ulloa, Died: November 29, 1840 on family-owned plantations. Destrehan who had been appointed to take Until 1896, police jurymen were appointed Plantation was one of the first plantations possession of Louisiana for Spain, waited Newspaper notices of deaths in the by the governor. Thereafter they were to be sold for industrial purposes. Mexican almost a year before appearing on Times of New Orleans follow: Died elected by popular vote. The police jury Petroleum Co. was one of the many Louisiana soil. lately in the Chickasaw Nation of was made up of men representing the companies which saw river and railroad Indians on his way to Virginia, Col. seven wards of the parish. Other elected facilities as incentives for selecting the site. Because of this, French and German Issac Hays, laid the proof of the line parish officials included: Assessor, clerk of Today, industrial complexes line the river in settlers still believed France would reclaim of stages from New Orleans to Baton court, sheriff, judges, coroner, justices of St. Charles Parish. the area. The colonists were discontent. Rouge and contractor for carrying the peace, constables and district attorney. When Ulloa married in a quiet ceremony, mail to Fort Adams. Died on July 3, In 1929, the Bonnet Carre Spillway was the New Orleans society felt snubbed. 1806, at the Barracks in New Orleans The current parish council and president begun in order to provide an outlet for high after a short illness, Lt. Johiah Taylor, came into being after a referendum in river waters. When not in use it provides New trade regulations also fanned the of the 2nd U.S. infantry. 1976. The current home rule charter and excellent sporting and picnic areas. flames of discontent. In 1768, the French code of ordinances went into effect Jan. 7, at New Orleans and the Germans in St. * We can assume that many of the 1978. Chemical refineries, fertilizer plants, grain Charles Parish demanded that Ulloa be original St. Charles residents suffered St. Charles Parish has been beset with elevators and a nuclear power plant as removed from Louisiana. France did not the name fate. tragedy through the years due to the well as PEOPLE have found St. Charles reclaim Louisiana as they had hoped. Lt. ravages of the river. Breaks in the levee Parish desirable for location.