St John The Baptist: Plantation History and Swampland

St John The Baptist brings together three defining themes of Louisiana: plantation history along the Mississippi, German settlement history, and swamp and water landscapes. When planning your trip, it is worth deciding first what you want to focus on: historic sites or experiences involving water and nature. This initial decision can also help you choose a vacation rental that suits the destinations you want to include in your stay.

Plantation History and Distinctive Architecture

Saint John the Baptist Parish was Louisiana’s second permanent settlement. A group of Germans founded it in the early 1720s; the area therefore became known as “La Cote des Allemands” or “The German Coast.” This history offers a distinct way to explore the region and complements the varied focuses of its historic plantations.

Evergreen Plantation is in Wallace on the west bank of the Mississippi River and is the best-preserved plantation complex in the South. Of the 37 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, 22 are slave cabins. Tours of Evergreen draw on hundreds of pages of documentation, a public archaeology project supported by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, and ongoing oral history and cultural landscape research. The buildings and the continuing study of their history are thus both central to the experience.

Whitney Plantation is the only plantation museum in Louisiana focused exclusively on slavery. Sixteen original structures remain on the grounds, including the Big House and two slave cabins. Compared with Evergreen’s broader research base, this focus is a clear distinction for travelers who want to engage with the history of slavery.

San Francisco Plantation was built in 1856 by Edmond Bozonier Marmillon. Its architectural highlights include five elaborately hand-painted ceilings. The plantation is near the small historic town of Garyville on the east bank of the Mississippi River and less than 40 minutes from New Orleans or Baton Rouge. While Evergreen is in Wallace on the west bank, San Francisco is on the east bank. The River Road Historic District is designated “The Historic Towns of Edgard, Lucy, and Wallace.”

Swamps, Water, and Fishing

The Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area consists mostly of flooded cypress-tupelo swamp. This gives trip planning a distinct nature and water focus alongside the historic sites. The Reserve Canal is a canal system connected to local swamps and offers year-round freshwater fishing for species such as largemouth bass, black crappie, and spotted bass. Before fishing, check the applicable regulations and whether a license is required.

Peavine Boat Launch is a public, four-lane boat launch off Highway 51. It has large parking areas for trailers, as well as access to Lake Pontchartrain and Manchac. Fees may apply; launch conditions and fees can change. Check the latest information before you go.

Andouille and Gumbo

The food culture also gives the region its own distinctive character: the Andouille Festival was started in 1972 by the LaPlace Volunteer Fire Department as a fundraiser. Andouille, the sausage the festival is named after, is used in a variety of dishes. The program also includes a gumbo cooking competition. Those interested in local cuisine as well as history and landscapes will find another way to explore St John The Baptist here.

Choose a Vacation Rental to Suit Your Travel Focus

When searching for a vacation rental, you can start with the places that matter to your travel plans. If historic sites are your priority, the location information for Wallace and Garyville can help you get your bearings. For days spent around the water, you can include the Reserve Canal and Peavine Boat Launch in your map planning.

Explore More Destinations

Explore more destinations: Laplace, Reserve, St. Tammany Parish, Lafourche Parish, Lafayette County, Avoyelles Parish, Union, Richland.

Go to the main travel overview: Louisiana.