In 1863, a Civil War Battle Paused for a Masonic Funeral in This Beautiful Louisiana River Town

St. Francisville, Louisiana

This peaceful river town packs more historic plantations and antebellum architecture into its two square miles than most Louisiana towns see in their entire limits.

Located above Baton Rouge, it has kept its 1800s character, down to the centuries-old live oaks and the locally-owned Main Street shops that still run on small-town time. Here are some interesting facts about St. Francisville, Louisiana.

It Was Part of the Republic of West Florida

King Carlos IV of Spain gave away the land that became St. Francisville back in 1779, long before Louisiana joined the United States. In 1810, settlers in the region, including St. Francisville, rebelled against Spanish rule and established the short-lived Republic of West Florida.

The republic’s flag featured a single white star on a blue field, known as the “Bonnie Blue Flag” symbolizing its brief independence before being annexed by the United States.

The Town That Refused to Die

During the dangerous yellow fever outbreaks of the 1800s, St. Francisville’s high location helped shield it from the mosquitoes that spread the illness near the river. The town sits 70 feet above sea level, which turned out to be a blessing during the outbreak and the floods.

Local doctors kept working to save the sick, and enough people stayed healthy that the town kept going while other river communities disappeared.

The Day the War Was Paused

On June 12, 1863, after Union Navy Commander John E. Hart died aboard the U.S.S. Albatross, local Masons facilitated a truce to allow for his burial.

Both Union and Confederate soldiers put down their weapons and gathered at Grace Episcopal Church (one of Louisiana’s oldest Protestant congregations, established in 1827) to honor their fellow Mason.

The Rosedown Plantation

Rosedown Plantation, built in 1835 by Daniel and Martha Turnbull, is one of the best-preserved plantations in the South. At its peak, it thrived on cotton, supported by enslaved labor. The plantation’s 8,000-square-foot Greek Revival mansion remains a highlight even today.

Martha Turnbull spent decades developing its 18-acre formal gardens (from 1836 to 1895), influenced by European designs.

Enchanting Garden Exhibits

Afton Villa Gardens, a 20-acre landscape preserves the grandeur of a once-majestic Gothic Revival plantation. Established in the 1840s, it was one of Louisiana’s most stunning estates, but a devastating fire in 1963 reduced the mansion to ruins.

Today, you can walk through terraced flower beds, shaded oak alleys, and vibrant azalea-filled woodlands. The ruins, now adorned with ivy, create a hauntingly beautiful backdrop. A highlight is the “Boxwood Parterre,” a meticulously maintained hedge maze.

Home to Ancient Plant Species

Some of the oldest camellia plants in North America grow in St. Francisville’s gardens. These plants came straight from a nursery at Long Island in 1837, and the town’s special climate helps them thrive.

Afton Villa’s 250-year-old oak trees, draped in Spanish moss, add a timeless charm at the entrance. Legacy Garden (Japanese-American) boasts bright red, pink, and purple flowers as several peacocks wander through the grounds, occasionally honking at visitors.

This Town Once Printed Its Own Money

During the Civil War, many Louisiana parishes, including West Feliciana Parish where St. Francisville is located, issued their paper currency to address coin shortages. They made special banknotes with pictures of local buildings and plantation scenes, using paper made from local cotton.

The money had special marks to prevent copying. The Freemasons’ Feliciana Lodge No. 31 in St. Francisville has records dating back to 1840.

It’s Part of Native Americans History

Before St. Francisville existed, the Highland Trail passed through here along the natural ridge. The Tunica Trace, also known as the Old Tunica Road, was a “sunken road” carved out by Native American tribes and served as an important travel corridor between their settlements. People have found trade beads, broken pottery, and stone tools from many different Native American groups along this route.

Eight Different Governments

The place has changed hands more times than almost any other American town. It’s been ruled by Native American nations, France, Spain, Britain, the West Florida Republic, the United States, the Confederate States, and then the United States again.

Each government influenced how the town looks and works today. You can see this mixed heritage in the Spanish street layout, French-style buildings, British legal customs, and American government buildings.