A J Hodges purchased 107000 acres of forestland in western Louisiana as a means of conservation
There was an old stone quarry on the property which is described as quiet and peaceful. That quarry became the cornerstone to the gardens that the Hodges built. The gardens were opened to the public in 1956 and in 2007 it was purchased by the State of Louisiana

The gardens are the largest horticultural park in the US

For more information see http://www.hodgesgardens.net/