National Historic Registry

The town of Washington is to Louisiana what Williamsburg is to Virginia. Unlike Williamsburg, however - with its many reconstructed replicas - the historic homes and business of Washington are graceful, original buildings from Louisiana's nineteen century past. For example, the old Steamboat Warehouse located on Bayou Courtableau just upstream from the steamboat turnaround, is a fascinating reminder of the bustling steamboat era which drew to a close only after the coming of the railroad in the late 1800's. For much of the nineteenth century, Washington was the largest inland port between New Orleans and St. Louis.

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The area in which Washington is located, along what was at that time called the "River Opelousas", was originally granted to Jacques Courtableau. He deeded the site of town to Louis Buhot, "Guardian of Church", and in 1822 Wardens of the Catholic Church began selling arpent lots. The resultant community was called "Church's Landing".  Because the bayou was navigable south to New Orleans and northward by flatboat to the rich agricultural area, the town rapidly became a center for commerce and transportation.

In May of 1900 the last steamboat left Washington and since that time other areas in the state have surpassed the little community on Bayou Courtableau as major commercial centers. However, Washington has never lost the character of its rich heritage.

Washington contains many examples of various Louisiana architecture, ranging from board and batten cottages to towering plantation houses with full galleries. The brick commercial buildings on Main Street are also of major interest, since a number of them still maintain their 19th century ornamental store fronts. Washington has many wonderful old live oaks, many of which are recorded in the register of the Louisiana Live Oak Society. Beneath the oaks are plants popular 150 years ago.

The historic significance of Washington is recorded in the National Historic Registry, encompassing 80% of the town. In recent years many of the historically significant structures have undergone major restoration.

Clearly, visitors in search of a "taste of the past" will not be disappointed with a trip to Washington, Louisiana. Easily accessible from Interstate 49 Exit 25, Washington offers a fascinating doorway into the 19th century!

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