The historic Roque House, a Creole house built more than two centuries ago near Natchitoches, is reopening for public tours. This reopening not only marks the preservation of a physical structure but also celebrates the incredible story of the man who built it—Yves Pacale, a freed man of color whose journey to freedom is as remarkable as the house itself.
building a life as a freed man
The Roque House, with its cypress frame and restored bousillage walls, stands as a testament to Natchitoches’ commitment to preserving its rich history. But, more importantly, it represents one man’s determination to build a home for his freed family. “The story of Pacale is priceless,” says Ben Barron, President of the Natchitoches Historical Society.
Pacale, originally enslaved on a plantation near Cane River, saved enough money to buy his freedom. After beginning construction on the house in the 1790s, Pacale worked to purchase the freedom of his future wife and later his daughter. “And they lived in the house until he died,” Barron adds. The house, completed in 1803—the same year the Louisiana Purchase was signed—was more than just a home. It symbolized Pacale’s triumph over slavery and his commitment to building a free life for his family.
preserving the roque house for the future
In the 1960s, the decaying Roque House was moved to the Natchitoches riverfront as a tourist attraction. However, in 2016, a flood inundated the house with three feet of water, severely damaging its bousillage walls—a traditional Creole mixture of mud, moss, and animal hair. “These bousillage walls don’t like water,” Barron explained. “The bottoms of them kind of melted down and washed away.”
After painstaking restoration and upgrades, the house has been moved farther from the bank of Cane River Lake to protect it from future flooding. The Natchitoches Historic Foundation, which spearheaded the effort, is now furnishing the home with period pieces. The furniture includes a bed built using the same wood-peg construction that Pacale might have used. “We do not want this house to be a museum piece,” Barron explains. “We want the house to be living history the way it was then.”
honoring preservationists
The Foundation also installed a granite “Preservationists Wall” behind the Roque House as a tribute to those who have contributed to the preservation of this historic home. The reopening of the historic home offers visitors not only a glimpse into Creole architecture but also a story of freedom, and family.
historic roque house featured on tv
getting there
The Roque House and Gardens is located on the riverfront in downtown Natchitoches, Louisiana. The address is 760 Front Street.
760 Front St, Natchitoches, LA 71457
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