Washington Louisiana was once a bustling river port. This outstanding house is located on St John Street at the Steamboat Warehouse restaurant. It was built in 1830. The house was built with the side facing the bayou, to minimize the river traffic noise, and take advantage of the breezes that blew up and down the bayou.

The house now serves as a bed and breakfast.

The large kettle in the foreground was used to boil sugar cane to make sugar syrup.

Washington Louisiana was first settled in 1720. Washington is the third oldest settlement in Louisiana. It was first called Poste des Opelousas , later Church’s Landing.

In the 1800’s Washington was the largest steamboat port between New Orleans and St Louis. Bayou Cortableu was an important travel route and the gateway to points to the north and west. Steamboats were as long as 200 feet, and a trip to New Orelans and back took seven days.

In 1883 the railroad came and spelled the end of the steamboat era. Today Washington is a mecca for antique hunters. The old Washington High School has been transformed into a gigantic flea market.

For more information see: http://zydecocajunbyway.com/washington.html