Fire Destroys Historic Nottoway Plantation in Louisiana – A devastating fire has consumed the historic Nottoway Plantation, the largest antebellum mansion in the American South, leaving the iconic structure in ruins. Officials from the Iberville Parish confirmed on Friday that the fire, which erupted on the afternoon of May 15, 2025, has completely destroyed the famed White Castle mansion.
The emergency response began at approximately 2:10 p.m. on Thursday, when calls reporting a fire at the plantation were received. According to Iberville Sheriff’s Department Captain Monty Migliacio, his department was the first to respond, followed by several firefighting units. Despite hours of intense efforts by more than ten fire departments from the surrounding areas, the blaze could not be stopped in time to save the mansion. “The fire has been contained now, but there’s no more Nottoway. The house is completely destroyed,” Migliacio told ABC News. He described the event as the most extensive fire he had witnessed in his 20-year career.
Authorities have stated that the Louisiana Fire Marshal’s Office is currently investigating the cause of the fire. As of now, the origins of the blaze remain unknown. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Officials are still determining whether anyone was inside the mansion at the time of the incident, though there is currently no indication of any guests being present.
The loss of Nottoway has been felt deeply across the region and beyond. Iberville Parish President Chris Daigle expressed sorrow over the destruction of a property that was not only an architectural treasure but also a cultural and historical landmark. “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,” Daigle wrote in a statement posted on social media.
Constructed in 1859, Nottoway Plantation had stood for over 160 years, surviving the Civil War and decades of change in the South. The plantation had been operating as a resort and museum since the 1980s, attracting visitors from around the country who came to experience its Greek Revival and Italianate architecture, as well as to learn about its complicated legacy tied to slavery and the antebellum South.
The mansion was a fixture in Louisiana’s tourism and historical education landscape. Its loss is seen as a significant blow to the state’s cultural heritage. While preservationists and historians mourn the destruction, many are already discussing what steps may be taken to preserve the memory of the estate or potentially rebuild parts of the site.
As investigations continue, the local community and state officials face the daunting task of addressing the aftermath of the disaster. For now, the ashes of Nottoway Plantation serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of historic landmarks and the enduring need to protect and document them for future generations.
