National Register of Historic Places

African House

African House is a historic place in Melrose, Natchitoches County, Louisiana, listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places on June 13, 1972, and designated a National Historic Landmark. Its National Register reference number is 72000556.

Melrose, Natchitoches County, LouisianaListed June 13, 1972NRIS #72000556★ National Historic Landmark
Photograph of African House
Photo: African House via Wikimedia Commons — see the file page for author and license. Image source
Noir atlas

Location 01

African House

Drag to explore · scroll to zoom · select a marker

About this place

What is African House?

Melrose Plantation, also known as Yucca Plantation, is a National Historic Landmark located in the unincorporated community of Melrose in Natchitoches Parish in north central Louisiana. This is one of the largest plantations in the United States built by and for free people of color. The land was granted to Louis Metoyer, who had the "Big House" built beginning about 1832. He was a son of Marie Thérèse Coincoin, a former slave who became a wealthy businesswoman in the area, and Claude Thomas Pierre Métoyer. The house was completed in 1833 after Louis' death by his son Jean Baptiste Louis Metoyer. The Metoyers were free people of color for four generations before the American Civil War. The Métoyer family was derived from Marie, a former slave, and Claude, a French military gentleman who bought and married Marie. They had many children but they were also one of the largest plantations and owned slaves themselves.

Source: Wikipedia, text available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

The record

Listing details

Name
African House
City
Melrose
County
Natchitoches County
Listed on the National Register
June 13, 1972
NRIS reference number
72000556
Resource type
building
National Historic Landmark
Yes
Coordinates
31.60029, -92.96697
When was African House listed on the National Register?

African House was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 13, 1972.

Where is African House located?

African House is located in Melrose, Natchitoches County, Louisiana at approximately 31.60029, -92.96697. See the map above.

Is African House a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. African House is designated a National Historic Landmark, the highest federal recognition for a historic place.