Fire Destroys Historic Nottoway Plantation in Louisian –A devastating fire has destroyed the Nottoway Plantation, Louisiana’s largest and most iconic antebellum mansion, located in White Castle. Officials confirmed the tragic loss on Friday, May 16, 2025, marking the end of an era for the historic site that stood as a symbol of the South’s architectural and cultural heritage.
According to Capt. Monty Migliacio of the Iberville Sheriff’s Department, emergency services received calls about the fire around 2:10 p.m. on Thursday. Firefighters from ten surrounding departments responded swiftly to the alarm, battling the flames for several hours. Despite their efforts, the mansion was completely consumed by the blaze. “The fire has been contained now, but there’s no more Nottoway. The house is completely destroyed,” Migliacio told ABC News. He described the fire as the largest he had ever seen in his two-decade career.
Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported. However, it remains unclear whether any visitors were present inside the mansion at the time of the fire. The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the blaze.
Built in 1859, Nottoway Plantation stood as the largest remaining antebellum mansion in the American South. Known for its impressive white columns, grand ballrooms, and sweeping staircases, the mansion attracted tourists, historians, and architecture enthusiasts from around the world. Since the 1980s, the plantation had operated as a luxury resort and historical attraction, offering tours that highlighted both its grandeur and the complex legacy of the antebellum South.
Iberville Parish President Chris Daigle expressed deep sorrow at the loss in a statement on social media. “Nottoway was not only the largest remaining antebellum mansion in the South but also a symbol of both the grandeur and the deep complexities of our region’s past,” Daigle wrote. He emphasized the importance of the site not just to Iberville Parish, but to the cultural and historical identity of Louisiana as a whole.
Nottoway’s destruction is a significant blow to historical preservation efforts in the region. The mansion was not only a tourist destination but also a tangible link to the state’s pre-Civil War history, reflecting both the architectural innovation and the social structures of the time.
As fire investigators continue their work, communities across Louisiana and the broader Southern United States are mourning the loss of this irreplaceable landmark. The incident underscores the vulnerability of historic structures and the importance of ongoing preservation and fire safety efforts.
In the aftermath, local officials and preservationists may seek ways to commemorate or possibly rebuild a portion of what has been lost. For now, the destruction of Nottoway marks a poignant and painful moment in the history of Louisiana’s cultural heritage.