This is a detailed study of one of the only plantation houses surviving from Louisiana’s Spanish Colonial period. Owned by James Pitot, a former mayor of New Orleans, the house has been restored to its original architecture from the early nineteenth century. The house also serves as the headquarters for the Louisiana Landmarks Society.
Period photographs depict the establishment’s initial appearance, while color images of the house illustrate its current state. The book includes vintage sketches of the Pitot House and floor plans for the restoration. Sections describe the challenges faced in maintaining the building and the efforts taken to prevent demolition of the house. Because Cabrini High School would eventually replace the house at its original location, the house was relocated with a 480-horsepower truck and winch cables, which were capable of pulling 60,000 pounds.
The Louisiana Landmarks Society maintains the home’s upkeep through community outreach programs and the establishment of the Pitot House Endowment Fund. The Pitot House on Bayou St. John emphasizes the importance of preserving the house.