History of Indian Camp Plantation
History of Indian Camp (Woodlawn) Plantation
In 1857, during the period of Greek revival
architecture (1820-1860), sugarcane planter
Robert Camp built Indian Camp Plantation. On
Persac's map of the Mississippi, c. 1858, the
tract of land is identified as "Woodlawn".
The mansion favors the classical Greek detail
while retaining characteristics of the Louisiana
raisedcottage type of plantation house.
But the house departs from the basic square
mass of the Louisiana style by the extension
of two recessed, symmetrical wings with upper
balconies. The central structure comprises six
square brick columns supporting a floodprotected
second floor veranda (and forming a probable
first floor carriage drivethrough).
At the second floor level, the brick columns
meet six Corinthians columns supporting the
roof structure. The fine but simple detail on
the entablature reveals workmanship and design
of professional quality and not simply the crude
construction of planter and his slaves.
Indian Camp Plantation at Carville has undergone
the change from an asylum for those afflicted
with Hansen's disease (leprosy) to a national
leprosarium known as the National Hansen's Disease
Center. In 1999, the federal government relocated
its HD program headquarters from Carville to
the Summit Hospital in Baton Rouge. Indian Camp
Plantation then became administrative headquarters
for the Louisiana National Guard installation
at Carville.
In July of 1980, a historical marker was installed
at the site of Indian Camp Plantation. It reads:
"Indian Camp Plantation-The Plantation
home, built in the 1850's, became the site of
the Louisiana State Leprosarium in 1894. The
U. S. Public Health Service acquired it in 1921.
It is now known as the National Hansen's Disease
Center"
In 1992 the plantation house, along with the
hospital complex, became the Carville Historic
District as it was added to National Register
of Historic Places by the National Park Service.
 |
