Mississippi River Boat Road Scholar Adventure-Part 6

We disembarked down the gang plank and up a steep but short paved bank
to a flat area where we could board the bus to climb the ridge to town.

Wed. Apr. 5: This morning found us moored along the bank of the river where the once rowdy, now bygone river port called Bayou Sara once flourished. Flood, fire, the boll weevil and the War of Northern Aggression wiped it away. But we were here to explore the oldest town in the Florida Parishes of Louisiana, St. Francisville, referred to as the town two miles long and two yards wide. It lies on a ridge safely above the river created by dust storms in the Glacial Period. The ridges are actually the foothills of the Appalachians. There is a plethora of antebellum period homes, two centuries of architectural influences, and a fascinating history as it served as the capital of the 8 parishes that made up the short lived “Republic of West Florida” which developed after Spain lost Florida to England. Our Road Scholar bus took us for our own tour of Rosedown Plantation. 

Our costumed house guide met us at the parking lot for
the short walk to the main house of Rosedown plantation.

Inside the mistress's bedroom

View from the porch of the front garden. To the left of the house is a huge
formal flower garden. Behind the house are extensive greenhouses where the mistress
and two highly trained slaves did extensive horticulture research and experiments.

A dress form for the tiny mistress.

The house remained with the family until the 1930's, when the State acquired the estate.
Two maiden daughters lived in the main house and then in this smaller cottage,
built behind the mansion, until their deaths.

Another Oak Alley lines the main drive up to the house.

We had plenty of time to wander the tiny historic district with its renovated 1819 Old Market Hall, Hardware store turned Historical Museum from 1896, and Grace Episcopal Church, built in 1827. 

United Methodist Church The sign in front says:
Established 1844 Present
Sanctuary 1898 from
Original Bayou Sara
Church

The lone white star on the blue background is
the flag of the Republic of Florida.

Courthouse for West Feliciana Parish

Grace Episcopal Church 1827 has an interesting story. During the Civil War a Union naval officer
committed suicide aboard his boat in the Mississippi River. All action ceased so that he could be
brought on shore, given a full Mason funeral, and buried in the churchyard.
The Union attendees returned to their boat and the War recommenced. 

Cruising all afternoon gave us time to attend our first “Riverlorian” lecture by Jerry Hay, our Road Scholar lecture to prepare us for the town of Natchez on Thursday, and to relax and enjoy the sun on deck. The show after dinner was “Curtain up!” celebrating the music of the Great White Way.

Ann wanted a picture of me modeling this antique hat from the Ladies' Parlor....

....while my own hat took its place in the display table.

We never tired of watching the beautiful red paddle wheel as we chugged along.