Nestled among the steadfast oak trees of Plaquemine’s Historic District, this breathtaking 121-year-old home stands in its original Southern splendor near the lazy Mississippi River. Upon stepping onto this property, you are transported back in time to Eden Street’s grand legacy, where the charm of a bygone era still lingers.

Construction began in 1896 by Dr. F.J. Kearny as a wedding gift to his daughter and was completed in 1903. The home, constructed with materials from the Kearny and Deblieux Lumber Company in Plaquemine, showcases longleaf pine and cypress inside and out, with square nails securing its structure. Wood laths, 1.5 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick, were used in plastering the walls and ceilings. This home was so exquisite that it was invited to be featured at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. Remarkably, the house was transported up the Mississippi River on a barge, displayed at the fair, and then returned to Plaquemine, where it was reassembled in its original location.

After Dr. Kearny’s passing, his widow sold the house to Dr. and Mrs. Samuel Schwing. The Schwings maintained ownership until Dr. Rhodes Spedale and his wife Zoe purchased the home for $5,000 in 1936 after renting an upstairs room from the Schwings for three years. The Spedales became widely known for their elegant dinner and garden parties, held in this home. To better accommodate their frequent guests, the Spedales extended the home, adding additional entertaining space and a permanent valet stand where arriving guests were greeted. Upon entering the home, guests were awestruck by the immaculately kept rooms adorned with Mrs. Spedale’s renowned antique collection, carefully selected during her travels around the world. In 2014, an auction showcased many of Mrs. Spedale’s prized antiques, including her beautiful crystal chandeliers, extensive spoon collection, entertaining pieces, and antique furniture.

The home boasts several unique features, such as wrap-around porches on both levels, an impressive staircase where many brides have taken their bridal portraits over the decades, built-in units made of cypress, intricate transoms, and beautiful bay windows that flood the rooms with natural light. At one time, the porch windows were true “dancing” windows, extending all the way through the ceiling, allowing guests to dance in and out of the rooms. The house retains its original fireplaces, marble mantles and hearths, and surrounding tile.

During the 2022-2024 renovation, the homeowners meticulously preserved and reused as much of the original structure as possible, recreating elements that could not be salvaged. This includes the back porch ceilings, exterior molding, and some of the transoms, plinths, and door jambs. Over 90% of the plaster in the house was preserved. In homage to Mrs. Spedale and the home’s history, the current homeowners collected antique chandeliers, mirrors, and furniture to fill the home. The newly renovated home features a foyer, lady’s parlor, man’s parlor, library, butler’s pantry, kitchen, drawing room, bar, laundry room, three guest bedrooms, a primary bedroom, and four and a half baths. The upstairs bedrooms offer breathtaking views of the surrounding oak and magnolia trees that envelop the property. A walking path has been added to the grounds, inviting visitors to stroll through and enjoy the serene beauty of this historic estate.

As you explore this beautifully preserved and thoughtfully renovated home, the current homeowners hope that you not only appreciate its historic charm but also the new life breathed into it. They invite you to enjoy both the timeless elegance of the past and the fresh vibrancy that this piece of Plaquemine’s heritage now offers to all who visit.

Renovation Contributors:

Project Management: Michael Rumfola 

General Contractor: Iron Works, Inc. 

Building Supplies: Bayou Road Ace Lumber 

Plumbing: Barker Brothers Plumbing Works

Realty: Charley Robinson with Homestead Realty 

Cabinetry: Premier Cabinets 

Arboriculture: Arbor Pro Tree Care 

Landscaping: Tre’ Hymel with GJH Lightscaping 

Drapery: ARE Custom Works 

Design: Campesi Designs 

Pool: Elevation Pools and Outdoors 

Painting: Hennessey Painting 

Flooring: Mike Allen Flooring 

Electrical: Aguillard Electrical

The Cedotal Residence at 59345 Island Drive was completed in October 2000.  The lot was purchased for the home during the “pre-selling” phase for The Island Golf Course Development in August 1997.  The homeowners visited the site to pick the lot when sugarcane still covered the area.  Several visits were also made by boat to understand the water views when choosing this Bayou Plaquemine lot.  This home was one of the first to be completed in the Island Golf Course community.

The home is modeled after the Southern Living 1997 Forest Glen Idea House.  The homeowners modified the Southern Living plan to fit their family’s lifestyle and the lot size.

The home contains a blend of style and elements of the Gulf Coast.  The exterior has the double gallery of New Orleans with porches and balconies above on the front and rear of the home.  Wrought iron railings wrap the upper levels.  Arched dormers, shutters and multiple French doors add to the Southern accents.  

A spacious family room anchors the interior of the home with ceilings that soar to the second floor.  A double stairwell with wrought iron railings is a focal point inside, bringing continuity between the interior and exterior of the home.  Off the foyer are the study and formal dining areas.  The flooring in these areas as well as the stairs and landings is antique heart pine.  

The kitchen, keeping room and sunroom enjoy walls of windows to allow a beautiful view to the outside pool area and trees that line the bank of Bayou Plaquemine.  Old St. Louis brick is on the floor in these areas and flank a wall that connects the kitchen and sunroom.  Brick archways also open these areas.  The kitchen cabinets are constructed of old cypress along with the beams on the ceiling.  The countertops are quartzite.  The sunroom also has a vaulted beaded board ceiling and slate flooring.  Another downstairs room that could be used as a bedroom is used as a large workout area for the family.

Three bedrooms are upstairs, as well as upstairs laundry.  The master bedroom opens out to an expansive rear balcony with a beautiful view of the backyard gunite pool, outdoor kitchen and Bayou Plaquemine. 

The Island Community continues to expand with new phases opening in the last years.  Homeowners in The Island Community can enjoy golfing, biking, boating, fishing, jogging, swimming or playing tennis (soon pickleball as well).  A nice meal is only a walk or golf-cart ride away at Clubhouse Bistro.  The community also has an active Homeowners Association that hosts summer pool parties, wine walks and Christmas caroling caravans each year.  

The Lozano House was originally and briefly owned by a prominent member of Plaquemine society, Mr. Louis S. Lozano, and built by local builder, Mr. P.W. Briggs, in the Free Classic Queen Anne Style.  It was completed in 1897.  The house still retains the same overall form and many of its original features on the interior and exterior including the double-hung wood windows with perimeter stained glass, decorative shingle and dentil details, rounded porte cochere, and plaster ceiling medallions.

In late 2019, after twenty years of remaining vacant, restoration work began on the historic structure.  Because of the high degree of historic integrity and rarity of the architectural elements among neighboring buildings, the Lozano House was added to the prestigious National Register of Historic Places in April 2021 as a notable example of the Free Classic Queen Anne style.

Welcome to this beautifully built Louisiana Acadian Traditional Home sitting on five acres built in 2022 in the newly developed Cane Estates Subdivision.

When you arrive you will first notice the lush landscaping of the home that features several different types of plants, shrubs & trees also, with a quaint cypress fenced area with a rose garden courtyard and fountain when entering the side entrance of the home.  The home is adorned with dormers on the front and side with six massive columns and a large front porch with brick steps. 

The inside of the home features an open concept for the kitchen, dining & living room area.  A beautiful cypress beam is in the opening between the kitchen and living room area warms up the area and makes a beautiful addition to the white oak hardwood floors throughout the home.  

The kitchen has quartzite countertops with all modern Thermador appliances.  A large 60” range is the focal point of the room.  The wet bar off the dining area features an ice maker, wine chiller and double drawer refrigerator.  The pantry is a large and spacious walk in with special features of a library ladder and chandelier.  The dining area and living area features a large set of windows for tons of natural light.  Off the living room area has a screened enclosed outdoor living/kitchen area.  It has a hibachi cooktop, green egg & power burner in the kitchen area. The countertops are quartzite on the island with beautiful hanging chandeliers for lighting.  There is a 70” TV with surround sound and mounted patio heaters for cooler nights.  Great space for outdoor entertainment. 

The master bedroom suite is off to one side of the home.  Its special features in the master bedroom are the tray ceiling with chandelier, flush mounted surround sound, linear fireplace with mantle and picture frame TV.  The master bathroom features marble countertops with a fully tiled wall feature with a massive beautifully tiled shower and large air jetted soaker tub.  The master closet is a true work of art.  It has a beautiful tray ceiling with chandelier.  It has special lighting throughout with several built-in displays for shoes and purses.  It is every woman’s dream closet! 

The home also has 2 additional bedrooms off a separate hallway.  Each room has spacious walk-in closets, and it has a full bathroom off that hallway.  The home also features an additional bedroom off the kitchen that includes a private bathroom with a custom fully tiled shower.

The back entrance features a large spacious drop off bench and ½ bath.  The utility is off the back entrance and features another chandelier with two storage closets.  There is a large office suite off the front entrance of the home that also features another beautiful chandelier.

The home also features a 50x90 shop that includes custom acrylic floors throughout and three enclosed rooms that are climate controlled.  Climate control rooms are decoration storage, tool shop & exercise/workout room.  Also storage loft above in shop.