A devastating fire on May 15, 2025, reduced Nottoway Plantation—one of the South’s largest and most iconic antebellum mansions—to rubble.
The blaze broke out around 2 p.m. in the south wing of the historic structure, located in White Castle, Louisiana, along the Mississippi River. Within minutes, flames had spread to the main house, causing widespread destruction to the 64-room, 53,000-square-foot estate.
By nightfall, the mansion’s north wing and much of its back wall had collapsed. Only chimneys remained where the second and third floors once stood. Firefighters from multiple parishes worked late into the evening, drawing water from the river in an effort to contain the blaze.
Crews respond to massive blaze
More than 40 firefighters from White Castle, Baton Rouge, Plaquemine, Bayou Goula, Donaldsonville, and surrounding areas responded to the scene.
Matthew Morgan, the resort’s executive chef, said he first saw smoke while standing in the gift shop across the lawn. “I never ran so fast in my life,” he said, describing how employees attempted to douse the flames with extinguishers and tubs of water.
Officials say the fire was likely first spotted in the plantation’s museum area on the basement level. No guests were at the resort during the incident, and officials have not reported any injuries.
PHOTO GALLERY: Fire that destroyed the Nottoway plantation in Louisiana
Water shortage hampered firefighting efforts
Crews struggled with water supply as the fire rapidly spread. Aerial ladder trucks drained available resources, forcing teams to pull water directly from the Mississippi River. Firefighters rotated in shifts due to extreme heat and exhaustion as they battled the growing inferno.
“The biggest challenge was water. Not enough of it,” said Shaun Bordelon, Iberville Parish fire director.
A total loss for Louisiana history
Sugar planter John Hampden Randolph built Nottoway in 1859, and it became known for its Greek Revival and Italianate architecture. It featured 22 columns, 165 doors, 200 windows, flushing toilets, gas lighting, and even a bowling alley. In recent decades, it operated as a luxury resort, wedding venue, and museum.
Parish president Chris Daigle confirmed in a late-night Facebook post that the structure was a total loss. “Its absence will be felt deeply,” he wrote.
Community reaction
“This thing was built in 1859. Now we might just see the end of it,” said Iberville Sheriff’s Deputy Jordan Ward as he watched the fire consume the structure.
Residents and staff gathered on a nearby levee to watch. “To those of us who worked here, who slept in it so many nights, it’s a home,” said general manager Vanessa Boudreaux.
Maintenance worker Randy LaPrairie, who had cared for the building for over 30 years, said fire had always been his greatest fear. “If this thing ever catches fire, I don’t think you’ll be able to stop it,” he recalled saying years ago.
Historical and cultural significance
Once billed as the largest antebellum mansion in the South, Nottoway Plantation stood as both a symbol of grandeur and a complex reminder of Louisiana’s plantation-era past. In recent years, it had served as a space for education and reflection on that history.
As of Friday, the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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