History on the Bayou – Chateau Chic

“Facing Bayou Lafourche at Lafourche Crossing sits the historic home of Paul and Omega Leslie. The home is listed on the National Register of historic Places due to its age and architectural significance. The Leslies moved into the home in the fall of 1985.

The historic home was built in two phases. The rear part was built before 1830’s, and the front “”new”” addition was built around 1850’s. The home is classified as a Historic Greek Revival Townhouse as per National Register, indicating a “”small”” structure compared to one the size of Oak Alley Plantation. Traits include the style of the front porch’s columns and dentil work on the” “entablature. Historic writings alongside the front door are still visible, with the oldest stating “”Big Snow 1902″”. The rear structure was a stop for the train, which was built in 1852. The original horse-hair plaster on the walls is still intact.

“The house had no bathrooms and no kitchen; it was an ‘empty shell’,” shared Omega. “We added two bedrooms and three bathrooms and a kitchen. We also added a screened porch and a garage. We added a bumped-out addition to create a “”bed”” we call a partial Thomas Jefferson bed due to needing a wheel-chair- accessible bed. Closets, bedrooms, and an office were added upstairs.”

Omega and Paul have made the historical” “home warm and inviting, all while appreciating the storied past of their residence. The home’s decor reflects a Southern classic, traditional home that seamlessly blends family antiques with the modern comforts of today. The current floorplan has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, with approximately 2,750 square feet.

The home is a special place for the Leslies, who thoroughly enjoy all the home has to offer. The front porch is a sweet place to sit with family and friends, overlooking the bayou. The side screened porch was a place of refuge during the pandemic. The sounds of trains coming and going at Lafourche Crossing have Paul and Leslie sometimes feeling like they are riding the train! The wood floors with lots of scuffs, scratches, and dents that invoke memories of times with the children. The tall windows allow the family to enjoy beautiful, sunny days.

“It has truly been a labor of love renovating this home,” smiles Omega. “Paul basically did all of the work on his own, and I kind of cleaned up after him and completed the décor and design of the place. Together he and I just kept working on it over the years and still continue small projects. Like any home, the upkeep never ends, but we still love our home and enjoy all that we have been blessed to have living here.”