Oaklawn Plantation (Natchez, Louisiana)


The Oaklawn Plantation is a historic plantation house in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Location

It is located on the Louisiana Highway 494 East of Natchitoches in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana.

History

The mansion was built in 1830 for Narcisse Prudhomme. After his death in 1859, the property was inherited by his son, Achille Prudhomme. Although the plantation survived the Civil War of 1861-1865 intact, after Achille's death, the land was divided into parcels by his heirs and sold off. In 1916, Charles Edgar Cloutier, the husband of Adeline Prudhomme, a great-grandniece of Narcisse Prudhomme, purchased the property.
It is now owned by filmwriter Robert Harling, author of the play, later a film, Steel Magnolias.
It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since March 28, 1979.

Architecture

The house has three stories, fourteen chimneys and a large gallery. It is an example of French creole architecture.