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Home/Central Louisiana/Roque House
old wood and mud Creole Roque house on sunny day with garden in foreground

Roque House

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.

old black and white photo of Roque house
Old photo of the Roque House in the Cane River area south of Natchitoches, LA.

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.

front porch of wood and mud constructed Creole house on sunny day
Front of restored Roque House on Natchitoches riverfront.

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

view of garden and lake through wood framed window
View of Cane River Lake through window bedroom window.

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.”

wood frame and white bousillage exterior wall on gravel
Cypress beams and bousillage exterior wall held together by notches and wood pegs.
porch of old wood and mud creole house with trees, garden and water in background
Historic house and gardens located near Cane River Lake in downtown Natchitoches, LA.

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

granite and brick wall with names
Preservationist Wall honors supporters of the Roque House

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

Watch this Heart of Louisiana story on the Roque House.

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

visiting Natchitoches

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        Written by:
        Dave McNamara
        Published on:
        September 16, 2024
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        Categories: Central Louisiana, Featured

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