The Dulcito Plantation is a historic house built c. 1850, and formally was a Southern sugar plantation, located at 5918 West Old Spanish Trail (LA 182) near New Iberia, Louisiana. This is one of the few remaining buildings of the area that highlights the pre-Civil War architectural heritage, despite having some alterations. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 22, 1994.[1]
Dulcito Plantation House | |
   | |
| Location | 5918 West Old Spanish Trail (LA 182) |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | New Iberia, Louisiana |
| Coordinates | 30°03′53″N 91°52′38″W / 30.0647°N 91.87722°W |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | c.1850 |
| Architectural style | French Creole |
| NRHP reference No. | 94000742[1] |
| Added to NRHP | July 22, 1994 |
History
editSettlement of what would later become the Iberia Parish began in the mid-eighteenth century, and by the end of the century the area was well-populated around Spanish Lake and Bayou Teche.[2] In June 1797, Jacques Fontenette petitioned the Spanish governmental authorities to acquire the tract of land where Dulcito is now located.[3]
The exact date of the structure is unknown, and there had been rumors of it being built in the late 18th century.[2] The current estimated built date of this house is c. 1850, and is based on the architectural evidence of the use of circular sawn timbers and bond brick basement.[2] The plantation house is a 1+1⁄2-story frame structure, built mainly in French Creole style.
In April and May 1863 during the Bayou Teche campaign, and again in October of the same year during the Great Texas Overland Expedition, the house remained in possession of the Federal authorities. It was also used as a temporary field hospital for Confederate soldiers.[3] After the American Civil War, the land and house were owned by James L. Burke.[3] Later it was owned by Elias A.Pharr (starting in October 1882), and B.F. Trappey and Sons, Inc. (starting in 1949).[3] In 1954, the Trappey family started the process of modernizing the structure.[3]
For many years, Bernard Trappey and his sons hosted a hot pepper eating contest at Dulcito Plantation; and he often surprising locals with his Habanero peppers (at a time when jalapeño peppers were more common).[4][5]
Modern day
editDespite some alterations, the house still maintain its historical relevance.[6][7] It is one of the remaining buildings that represents Iberia Parish's pre-Civil War architectural heritage.[3]
In 2017, the house and 54 acres of land were put on sale for $3,200,000 USD.[3] The landscaping around the house includes old Magnolia trees and ancient oak trees.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ a b c "NPS Form 10-900 National Register of Historic Places Registration Form – Dulcito Plantation House". United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service (PDF). July 22, 1994. Archived from the original on February 7, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g "See former Trappey family home and Civil War hospital, Dulcito Plantation". Daily Advertiser. November 30, 2017. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
- ^ Andrews, Jean (January 1, 1995). Peppers: The Domesticated Capsicums. University of Texas Press. p. 129. ISBN 978-0-292-70467-1.
- ^ Brost, Fred (June 17, 2019). A Mining Saga: People, Places, and Adventures Along the Way. Wheatmark, Inc. p. 164. ISBN 978-1-62787-690-2.
- ^ "Dulcito Plantation House" (PDF). State of Louisiana's Division of Historic Preservation. 1994. Retrieved May 28, 2018. with a photo and two maps
- ^ National Register Staff (May 1994). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Dulcito Plantation House". National Park Service. Retrieved May 28, 2018. With six photos from 1994.
- ^ Louisiana Municipal Review. Vol. 30. Deep South Communication, Incorporated. 1965. p. 16.
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