GHOSTS ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI

A recent road trip adventure in Louisiana I'll fondly remember is one about 20 miles from New Orleans on a scenic drive to see the old plantation homes along the Mississippi Delta.  The Great Mississippi River Road is off a highway that links New Orleans to Baton Rouge.  This beautiful road is 70 miles in length and is located on each side of the route along the Mississippi River.

Scenic River Road
Louisiana 

River Road Plantation
Louisiana

Scenic River Road
Louisiana

River Road Plantation
Louisiana

The existing River Road plantations and homes along the Mississippi River are scenic and breathtaking. It is said there were as many as 400 plantations along this route and many of the old plantations are still standing.  Old sugarcane plantations are now kept as historical gems and many are still productive.  Most of the original plantations were built 30 years prior to the Civil War.

Sugarcane "White Gold" farms - Louisiana

River Road Plantation
Louisiana

 We visited the Grande Dame of the Great River Road, Oak Alley Plantation, named for the quarter mile entrance canopy of 300 year old oak trees.  After many years of neglect, the revival and restoration of Oak Alley Plantation began in the 1920's.

Oak Alley Plantation
Vacherie, La.

Oak Alley Plantation
Oak Canopy - Vacherie, La.

Oak Alley Plantation Master Bedroom
Vacherie, La.

Oak Alley Plantation
Vacherie, La.

Oak Alley Plantation, in St. James Parish in Vacherie, Louisiana, was built in the Greek Revival Style,  and has been restored, lovingly cared for, and restored back to life.  Costumed guides now chronicle the long history of this beautiful mansion built around 1837.  Oak Alley Plantation has overnight cottages to accommodate guests as well as a restaurant known for traditional Louisiana creole and cajun dishes,  and as soon as you arrive you are offered a mint julep.

Whitney Plantation - Promise ... no relation!

It is not hard to visualize large ships and barges on the Mississippi River that would regularly arrive from New Orleans.   Supplies, provisions and various goods were loaded/unloaded from these vessels along the Mississippi River to the antebellum plantations along River Road.