Nottaway Plantation-5524 Nottaway Plantation, located near the town of White Castle, Louisiana, on the banks of the Mississippi river is the probably the largest plantation manor home still standing today. It is one of the most unique and beautiful of all the old plantation homes. Nottaway was built in 1859 for wealthy sugar tycoon John Hampden Randolph and his wife and it was home to their eleven children. The “White Castle” as it is often referred to mixes traditional Greek Revival with Italianate style architecture. It is 3 stories tall, and boasts 53, 000 square feet. Nottaway cost an estimate of 80,000 to build with a large portion of the labor to have been slaves and the majority of the building materials were harvested on the property. Nottaway has 64 rooms and 6 interior staircases. It is probably the most impressive and beautiful structures in the south today. The intricate detail of the molding and plaster frieze work is unparalleled. Nottaway was spared destruction during the Civil War because of the hospitality that she had previously shown a Union General that recognized the home, while traveling on a Union Gun Boat up the River and called for a cease fire John Randolph died in 1883, leaving everything to his wife. In 1889, being 71 years old Emily decided to sell the home. It is reported that on the day she left, she mournfully strolled around her beloved Nottaway, closing each window shutter before she left. Nottaway now serves as a bed and breakfast.
