The Small Town Of St. Francisville, Louisiana Might Have More Historical Landmarks Than Stoplights
By Jackie Ann|Published October 24, 2022
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Jackie Ann
Author
Louisiana native and LSU Alum (Geaux Tigers!), Jackie has lived in Louisiana for over three decades and currently lives in New Orleans. She's been writing for OnlyInYourState since 2016 and can often be found with a coffee at her side, dreaming of her next adventure.
Tucked away in the rolling hills of West Feliciana Parish, St. Francisville is a sleepy little town with a lot going for it. The tiny but mighty town of fewer than 2,000 residents is the perfect escape for anyone looking to slow things down a bit and admire some beautiful scenery and incredible history. Both nature lovers and history buffs will enjoy St. Francisville, a town with more historical markers than street lights (not literally, but close!).
There's a lot to love about St. Francisville, and the town's history is at the top of the list.
Originally named Villa of St. Francis, the town was established in 1807. Its location along the Mississippi River made it an important commercial and cultural center for countless surrounding plantations in the area, many of which are still standing today.
One must-see historic site in St. Francisville is the Grace Episcopal Church.
The organ is one item that is original to the church, dating back to 1860. Spend some time strolling through the cemetery. With canopies of oak trees overhead and several notable burials here, this cemetery is hauntingly beautiful.
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History lovers and nature lovers alike will enjoy a visit to the Audubon State Historic Site.
The historic site is home to the Oakley Plantation house and during your visit, you'll be able to take a tour inside, catching a glimpse of a day in the life of the residents who lived here.
He spent the summer of 1821 here, and this is where he was inspired to create some of his most famous works including many of the "32 Birds of America" paintings he created.
For even more nature, take a stroll around the Afton Villa Gardens.
Afton Villa was once a plantation with formal gardens in the 1800s. The mansion was destroyed in a fire in 1963, but the gardens survived. The gardens are still maintained today and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
There are over 20 acres of formal gardens to stroll through here.
Peaceful and serene do not begin to describe the atmosphere here. Take your time admiring the famous ruins gardens, the formal parterre garden, a daffodil valley, and more.
Several paranormal investigators have come through here, and each one is convinced that there are spirits trapped within the walls. The most well-known ghost is the ghost of Chloe, but there's also speculation that the plantation was built on top of a Native American burial ground, leading many to believe that this is the reason this place is such a paranormal hotspot.
St. Francisville is just one of the many beautiful small towns in Louisiana. Check out some of our other favorite small towns in Louisiana that are just downright delightful places to spend a day or two seeing the sights.
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