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By Theo Burman
Live News Reporter
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A huge fire has destroyed large parts of Nottoway Plantation, one of the South's largest antebellum mansions.
The fire spread through the iconic 64-room historic building in White Castle, Louisiana, on Thursday, causing devastating damage.
The building's north wing and a large part of its back wall had collapsed by Thursday evening, FingerLakes1.com reported.
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No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation by local fire officials and the State Fire Marshal's Office.
Newsweek contacted fire authorities in White Castle for comment.
Why It Matters
Nottoway Plantation is a significant architectural and cultural landmark. Completed in 1859, it boasts 53,000 square feet and 64 rooms, making it one of the largest remaining antebellum plantation homes in the U.S.
The estate, situated along the Mississippi River, has drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors annually for tours, weddings and events.
The house is a reminder of Louisiana's pre-Civil War history and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
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What To Know
Firefighters from White Castle, Plaquemine, and other nearby departments spent several hours battling the fire, according to The Shreveport-Bossier Advocate.
The blaze is believed to have started in the attic area of the mansion's central section. Windy conditions may have helped spread the flames quickly throughout the wooden structure.
Nottoway had recently reopened for tours and overnight stays under new management, after previously serving as a private residence and a luxury inn. It was closed for renovations following Hurricane Ida.
The mansion's White Ballroom, with its 15-foot-high mirrors, was among its most visited features.
Nottoway Plantation History
Originally built for John Hampden Randolph - a sugar planter who owned more than 150 slaves - Nottoway represented both the opulence and dark legacy of Louisiana's plantation era.
The 31-acre garden features a forest of oak trees, eleven of which were named after Randolph's children.
The property was sold by Emily Randolph, John's wife, in 1889 for $50,000, which is about $2 million in today's money.
The building changed hands several times in the 1900s, until Australian businessman Paul Ramsay bought it in 1985, transforming it into a resort for weddings, holidays and other events.
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What People Are Saying
Iberville Parish president Chris Daigle said the community was mourning the loss of "one of its most iconic landmarks."
In a post on Facebook, he said: "The loss of Nottoway is not just a loss for Iberville Parish, but for the entire state of Louisiana. It was a cornerstone of our tourism economy and a site of national significance. Its absence will be felt deeply — by our community, our state, and by the many who found meaning in its preservation.
"We are deeply thankful that there were no injuries reported in the blaze. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the brave firefighters, emergency responders, parish personnel, and others who responded swiftly and did all they could to contain the fire to protect nearby structures."
He added: "Built in 1859, 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. While its early history is undeniably tied to a time of great injustice, over the last several decades it evolved into a place of reflection, education, and dialogue."
Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser called the fire a "gut punch," telling WVUE Fox 8: "We had just started talking about new restoration grants for sites like Nottoway. To see it reduced to rubble before we could help is heartbreaking."
Debbie Palumbo, a historian and former guide at Nottoway, told FingerLakes1: "It breaks my heart. That house stood through the Civil War, two world wars, hurricanes and floods. For it to go like this, it's just tragic."
What Happens Next
The State Fire Marshal's Office has launched a full investigation into the cause of the fire. Structural engineers and preservation experts are expected to evaluate whether any part of the mansion can be salvaged or restored.
For now, access to the property has been restricted, and all future events scheduled at the estate have been canceled.
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