Photos, videos: A walk through St. Francisville's historic district
One of the best things about St. Francisville is how almost everything is within walking distance.
You can visit its historic churches, whose doors are always open to visitors, enjoy the quiet calm of Royal Street while looking at the town's historic homes and buildings and visit some of its antique stores along the way.
If walking isn't your preference, you can always hop and ride on the town's new free trolley, which has designated stops at all of the interesting sites.
The West Feliciana Historical Society Museum on Ferdinand Street is always a good starting point with plenty of information about the town's and parish's history, along with listings of place to eat, stay and shop.
You can find it all by visiting explorewestfeliciana.com.
In the meantime, here's a quick walk through the town by way of photos and videos.
Grace Episcopal Church is one of St. Francisville's iconic historic landmarks. The church was organized in 1827, and the building was completed in 1860. It was heavily damaged by Union gunboats in 1863 during the Civil War but has long been restored.
A state historic marker stands on Ferdinand Street on the edge of St. Francisville. The street continues to the former ferry landing on the Mississippi River where the town of Bayou Sara once stood.
The road leading up a hill to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church veers off St. Ferdinand Street in St. Francisville. The church was built in 1871.
Historic Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church overlooks St. Francisville from atop a hill. All of the town's historic churches' doors are open to visitors.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church's name is etched in the stained glass above its front doors. The church was built in 1871 in St. Francisville.
The sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in St. Francisville. The doors of all of the town's historic churches are open to tourists.
The afternoon sun casts warm light through Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church's stained glass in St. Francisville.
The afternoon sun casts warm light through Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church's stained glass in St. Francisville.
The afternoon sun casts warm light through Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church's stained glass in St. Francisville.
The afternoon sun casts warm light through Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church's stained glass in St. Francisville.
A fountain stands in a small courtyard across the parking lot from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church. The church was built in 1871 in St. Francisville.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church towers above the town of St. Francisville, La., atop a hill. The church building is historical, and its grounds provide visitors with a perspective of how the town actually stands on a ridge above the Mississippi River. Here's a walk around the church grounds on a quiet Sunday afternoon. Staff photo by Robin Miller
A walk along St. Francisville's historic Royal Street offers views of historic homes. Hillcroft, one of the most noted homes on the street, was built in 1915.
Gazing down the crape myrtle-lined sidewalk along St. Francisville's historic Royal Street.
The lone star of the Republic of West Florida flag can be spotted on historic buildings in St. Francisville.
The West Feliciana Parish Courthouse, constructed in 1903, stands on Prosperity Street in St. Francisville's historic district. Grace Episcopal Church is located directly across Ferdinand Street.
Walking along St. Francisville's historic Royal Street.
The Camilla Leake Barrow House on St. Francisville's historic Royal Street was built in 1809 and expanded in 1859.
White's cottage was built in the late 19th century in St. Francisville's historic district.
The intersection of Royal and Fidelity streets in St. Francisville's historic district.
West Feliciana Parish was part of Spain's Republic of West Florida in 1810. A monument to the short-lived republic stands on the parish courthouse grounds in St. Francisville.
St. Francisville's Market Hall, built in 1819 and restored in 1984, was a public market with a magistrate office upstairs. It stands on Royal Street.
United Methodist Church in St. Francisville originally was built in 1899. It stands on historic Royal Street.
Sunlight shining through iron railing creates shadow art on the steps leading to the front doors of United Methodist Church in St. Francisville.
Warm light shines through the stained glass and onto the visitors' registry in the foyer of United Methodist Church in St. Francisville. The church was built in 1899, and its doors are open to visitors.
The afternoon sun casts warm light through the stained glass windows in United Methodist Church's sanctuary in St. Francisville. The church was built in 1899.
Afternoon sun shines through stained glass to fill with the United Methodist Church sanctuary with warm light in St. Francisville. The church was built in 1899.
The altar in United Methodist Church's sanctuary in St. Francisville. The church stands on historic Royal Street.
The Dove of Peace window above the altar in United Methodist Church's sanctuary in St. Francisville. The church was built in 1899.
Looking toward the foyer filled with warm sunlight in United Methodist Church in St. Francisville. The church was built in 1899.
Standing in front of the 1895 Robb House, which stands next door to United Methodist Church and serves as its church office.
Virginia was built in 1809 and expanded in 1859. It stands along St. Francisville's Royal Street.
A path leads to picnic tables in a park area on the courthouse grounds in St. Francisville's historic district.
The Cabildo, built in 1809, is now a private home on St. Francisville's Royal Street. It served as the first courthouse for West Feliciana Parish.
The old Bank of Commerce building was built in 1909 on St. Francisville's Royal Street. It was later purchased by Grandmother's Buttons, which closed last December. Today it stands empty.
Miss Lise's Cottage, home of the first telephone girl in West Feliciana Parish, was moved to St. Francisville from Bayou Sara in 1890. It stands on Prosperity Street across from the West Feliciana Courthouse in the town's historic district.
The Feliciana Masonic Lodge #31 F&AM hosts 'The Day the War Stopped' each June. The day commemorates when both Union and Confederate forces stopped fighting to have a burial for a Masonic Union officer in Grace Episcopal Cemetery.
Stepping up on Royal Street's sidewalk in St. Francisville.
St. Francisville, La.'s, Royal Street takes visitors through its historic district filled with houses built in the 1800s, the Methodist Church and Audubon Hall, which was the town's original town hall. Its scarce traffic allows for quiet walks along its crape myrtle-lined sidewalks. Staff video by Robin Miller
Grace Episcopal Church is a historical landmark in St. Francisville. The doors of all of the town's historical churches are open to visitors.
A detail shot of a stained glass window flanking the entry way of Grace Episcopal Church in St. Francisville. The church's doors are open to visitors.
Grace Episcopal Church's sanctuary. The church stands across Ferdinand Street from the West Feliciana Parish Courthouse and is surrounded by a moss-draped cemetery. Its doors are open to visitors.
Afternoon sunlight casts colors on the sanctuary floor through Grace Episcopal Church's stained glass. The church was organized in 1827, and the building was completed in 1860. It was heavily damaged by Union gunboats in 1863 during the Civil War but has long been restored.
Grace Episcopal Church's 1860 Pilcher Organ. The church was organized in 1827, and the building was completed in 1860. It was heavily damaged by Union gunboats in 1863 during the Civil War but has long been restored.
Red bohemian glass windows in the back door of Grace Episcopal Church's sanctuary. The church stands on Ferdinand Street in St. Francisville.
Moss draped oak trees form a canopy over the cemetery surrounding Grace Episcopal Church. The church stands on Ferdinand Street in St. Francisville.
Spanish moss from oak trees has fallen on an angel's head in Grace Episcopal Church's cemetery in St. Francisville. The moss makes it appear as if the angel has long, curly hair.
Pathways form routes between family plots in Grace Episcopal Church's moss-draped cemetery in St. Francisville.
Grace Episcopal Church and its surrounding moss-draped cemetery is one of the key historical landmarks in St. Francisville, La. Here's a quick walk through the church sanctuary and a look at its grounds. Staff photo by Robin Miller
The Town of St. Francisville operates a free trolley, which gives tours from Thursday through Sunday.
The West Feliciana Historical Society Museum on Ferdinand Street is a good starting point for visitors. It offers information on the parish's history, as well as places to stay, eat and visit.
The West Feliciana Historical Society Museum on Ferdinand Street is a good starting point for visitors. It offers information on the parish's history, as well as places to stay, eat and visit.
Parker Park, with its moss-draped trees and large gazebo, is the centerpiece of St. Francisville. Visitors are welcome to picnic or just relax here. The town also hosts events in the park.
St. Francisville offers plenty of shops for antiquing, including Bohemianville Antiques on Commerce Street.
A carousel horse greets visitors at the entrance of Bohemianville Antiques in St. Francisville.
The Wolf-Schlesinger House, built in 1880, is home to The Saint restaurant and the St. Francisville Inn.
The 3V Tourist Courts at the Magnolia Cafe are a popular lodging spot for tourists. The cafe and courts are located on Commerce Street in St. Francisville.
The 3V Tourist Courts at the Magnolia Cafe are a popular lodging spot for tourists. The cafe and courts are located on Commerce Street in St. Francisville.
West Feliciana Parish is home to the Oakley House is the centerpiece of Audubon State Historic Site, where legendary artist and naturalist John James Audubon gathered birds, flora and fauna for his 'Birds of America' folio while tutoring young Eliza Pirrie.
A $2.6 million grant is going to the Tunica Hills area in West Feliciana Parish, popular among hikers, that will improve trails and build a Mississippi River overlook.
Cat Island Wildlife Refuge in West Feliciana Parish is home to the 1,500-year-old national champion bald cypress, one of the largest tree of any species east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The area is popular among hikers.
Nearby Clark Creek Natural Area offers trails featuring some 50 waterfalls along the way. Though it is actually located just across the state line in Wilkinson County, Miss., it is accessible from La. 66, also known as the Tunica Trace in West Feliciana parish.