Southdown Plantation is a historic plantation in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, founded in 1828 by Stephen Minor. Minor was a secretary to Manuel Gayoso de Lemos, the Spanish Governor of Louisiana. About 1,020-acre plantation was growing sugarcane, which at the time became the principal crop in the area. The first sugar mill was built in 1846. In 1852, Southdown had 233 slaves who lived on the property. The first plantation house was built in 1858 by Minor's son, William J. Minor. The house was built of hand-fired brick and lumber from local cypress and pine trees. In the 1930s, the Minor family lost the house.. The mill was closed in 1979. In 1975, the new owner Valhi, Incorporated donated the property to the Terrebonne Historical and Cultural Society. The Society renovated the plantation house and restored it to its original style and color. The plantation house and servants' quarters were converted into a museum and opened to the public in 1982.
1208 Museum Dr, Houma, LA 70360, Phone: 985-851-0154