Massive Fire Erupts at the Nottoway Resort Plantation in White Castle

A fire of staggering magnitude tore through the historic Nottoway Resort Plantation in White Castle, Louisiana, on Thursday, leaving behind a haunting image of charred wood, smoldering ruins, and shaken local residents.

Known for its stately architecture, storied past, and luxurious hospitality, Nottoway was not just a resort—it was a symbol of antebellum grandeur, a centerpiece of Louisiana’s heritage, and a beloved local landmark.

The blaze, which erupted in the early afternoon, spread with alarming speed, engulfing parts of the 40-room mansion and casting uncertainty over the future of one of the South’s most iconic plantation homes.

The Nottoway Plantation, a three-story Greek and Italianate-style mansion built in 1859, has long stood as a prominent testament to pre-Civil War Southern architecture.

Perched gracefully along the Mississippi River and surrounded by massive oak trees, it has been both admired and critiqued for its grandeur and the troubling history of slavery that made its construction possible.

On Thursday, however, the focus turned from historical debate to heartbreak as flames devoured parts of this landmark, with fire crews battling the blaze for hours into the evening.

A Rapidly Spreading Blaze and Heroic Response

The fire began around 2 PM local time on the second floor of the mansion and swiftly spread to the south wing and attic areas. According to local news sources including WBRZ and the New Orleans Advocate, smoke was initially spotted by staff members, who then discovered one of the rooms already engulfed in flames.

Authorities quickly mobilized, with more than 40 firefighters from various departments responding, including the White Castle Fire Department, Plaquemine, Bayou Goula, and support from departments as far away as Baton Rouge and St. George.

Iberville Parish President Chris Daigle offered insights into the chaotic but coordinated firefighting effort. “We had staff on site, and as soon as smoke was noticed, they tried to intervene,” he told WBRZ. “Unfortunately, the fire had already gained traction.”

Despite swift response times, the fire proved difficult to contain, with flames consuming large parts of the south wing before advancing to the third-floor attic. Water trucks lined the property, and emergency teams worked feverishly to save as much of the structure as possible.

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Thankfully, no guests were present at the time of the incident, and no injuries were reported. Still, the full extent of the damage remained unclear by nightfall, as smoldering debris and thick smoke made entry into several parts of the structure unsafe. Fire crews continued monitoring and extinguishing hot spots as of Thursday evening.

A fire is ripping through Nottoway Plantation in White Castle, Louisiana.

Some history:
-In 1860, John Randolph (who enslaved 150+ people) owned it
-It is now used as event venue, hotel and museum. It was the largest remaining antebellum mansion in the USpic.twitter.com/3LlwRcyUGc

— Farrah Yvette (@farrah_yvette) May 16, 2025

While there was widespread concern about the loss of the historic site, Daigle provided a glimmer of hope, noting that the building’s unique phased construction may have helped preserve the mansion’s central structure. “It might not be a total loss,” he said. “We may be able to restore parts of it depending on structural assessments in the coming days.”

Historical Legacy at Risk

The potential loss of the Nottoway Resort Plantation resonates far beyond Louisiana. Built by John Hampden Randolph using enslaved labor, Nottoway was completed just two years before the outbreak of the Civil War.

It has long been recognized as one of the largest surviving antebellum mansions in the American South, boasting 53,000 square feet of living space, 40 rooms, 165 doors and windows, and iconic white Corinthian columns that have drawn photographers and history buffs for generations.

The plantation’s website proudly showcases its elegant interiors and historical significance, with its three-story Rotunda, curved double staircase, and elaborate ballrooms. Over the years, Nottoway transitioned from a private residence to a museum and then into a luxury resort, attracting tourists from around the world. Guests came not only for its beauty but for a connection—however complex—to a bygone era of Southern life.

Yet Nottoway’s legacy is not without controversy. As a former sugarcane plantation built and operated by enslaved people, its preservation has raised questions about how history is remembered and represented. For many, the site has served as a painful reminder of the brutal conditions that supported Southern wealth.

Nonetheless, it has also been a place for education and reflection, offering guided tours that acknowledged the realities of slavery and the lives of those who were forced to build and work on the estate.

The thought of losing this historic structure—no matter how one views its past—represents a major blow to the cultural and architectural fabric of the region. Deputy Jordan Ward of the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office captured the mood when he said, “This thing was built in 1859, now we might just see the end of it.”

Uncertain Future and Ongoing Investigations

As firefighters continue to investigate the source and impact of the blaze, there remains an air of uncertainty about the fate of the Nottoway Plantation. The Iberville Parish Fire & Emergency Services Department has not yet issued an official statement, and no cause has been determined as of yet.

However, given the rapid spread of the fire and its point of origin on the second floor, both electrical issues and human error remain under consideration. Engineers and structural inspectors are expected to examine the integrity of the remaining sections in the days ahead.

The phased construction of the mansion—a feature that meant various wings were built over time and with differing materials—may offer hope for salvaging parts of the estate. Experts will assess whether the central core of the house, which includes its famed rotunda and spiral staircase, remains stable enough for preservation or restoration.

Beyond structural concerns, the resort’s future as a hospitality destination is now in jeopardy. With rooms charred, hallways waterlogged, and irreplaceable antiques possibly lost to the flames, the once-thriving destination now faces the long and uncertain path of rebuilding. Insurance assessments, historical preservation considerations, and massive restoration costs will all play into whether the Nottoway can rise from the ashes.

Local residents and preservationists alike have begun to rally in hopes of supporting restoration efforts. Some believe that a rebuild is essential not only for the economic vitality of the White Castle area but for the sake of preserving a piece of Southern history. Others argue that perhaps it is time to let the mansion go, acknowledging that its legacy—steeped in both splendor and suffering—cannot be fully rebuilt.

For now, the site remains cordoned off, with only fire crews and emergency personnel permitted on the premises. Charred wood and smoke-stained walls stand where visitors once posed for photos. The grand lawn, once a setting for weddings and social events, is littered with hoses, ash, and burnt debris.

As Louisiana mourns the damage done to one of its historical jewels, it also waits. Waits to know the full story of what happened, and waits to find out whether Nottoway—like the South itself—can reckon with the past and rebuild toward the future.