Established in 1994, Cane River Creole National Historical Park serves to preserve the resources and cultural landscapes of the Cane River region. Located along the Cane River Lake, the park is approxiately 63 acres and includes two French Creole cotton plantations, Oakland and Magnolia. Both plantations reflect completeness in their historic settings, including landscapes, outbuildings, structures, furnishings, and artifacts. In fact, both units are the most intact French Creole cotton plantations in the United States.
Oakland Plantation has 17 of its original outbuildings still remaining. Outbuildings still on the plantation include two pigeonniers, an overseer’s house, massive roofed log corn crib, carriage house, mule barn that was originally a smokehouse, carpenter’s shop, and cabins. Tours of the main house are also available. The historic property is a National Bicentennial Farm, only one of two of such Farms west of the Mississippi River, both of which are in Natchitoches Parish. Oakland was acquired by the National Park Service in 1998.
The Magnolia Plantation Complex consists of 18 acres of outbuildings, including a blacksmith shop, plantation store, gin barn, eight cabins, and former slave hospital that at various times housed the owners and overseer. The gin barn houses a wooden screw-type cotton press, the last such press remaining in its original site in the United States. Self-guided tours are available.
In total, 65 historic structures and over 1,000,000 artifacts enhance the NPS mission as it strives to tell the story of the evolution of plantation agriculture through the perspective of the families that founded, labored, and flourished along the Cane River for over two hundred years.
Visitor Information
Website: https://www.nps.gov/cari
Oakland Plantation
4386 Highway 494
Bermuda, LA
318.356.8441
Magnolia Plantation
5549 Highway 119
Derry, LA
318.379.9114
Hours of Operation
Open Daily, 8AM-3:30PM
Free Admission
Please note that schedules are subject to change. For updates visit our Facebook page or call the park at 318-352-0383, ext. 316.
