Nottoway Plantation Fire: Louisiana's Historic Mansion Gutted by Flames A devastating fire engulfed Nottoway Plantation, Louisiana's largest antebellum mansion, on May 16, 2025. The blaze, which started around 6 pm, rapidly consumed the south wing, causing the roof to collapse. Firefighters battled the flames for hours, but the historic structure sustained significant damage. Miraculously, no injuries were reported. "Today, flames consumed its south wing, collapsing the roof and igniting renewed reflection on the lives it once overshadowed. At 6pm fires reignited taking the rest of the home in flames." said the plantation's owner in a social media post. Built in 1859 by enslaved laborers for sugar planter John Hampden Randolph, Nottoway Plantation stands as a symbol of both architectural grandeur and the injustices of the antebellum South. Its destruction marks a significant loss for Louisiana's cultural heritage. However, the owners have vowed to rebuild, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the devastation. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, and an investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.
Nottoway, the oldest and largest Southern plantation house burned down, sparking debates about erased history at the modern-day resort.
