The historic Godchaux-Reserve house, located on the River Road in Reserve, Louisiana began as  a two-room farm house constructed by a relocated French soldier and his wife in 1764.  The 203 acre rice farm grew through a succession of owners, as did the size and architecture of the house.  After converting to sugar cane production in the early 1800’s,  the operation became profitable until the onset of the Civil War.

Following the war, the property was rescued by Leon Godchaux, a wealthy clothing store owner.  Under Godchaux and his sons, sugar production increased due to consolidation of nearby plantations, good management, use of the most modern production techniques, and a healthy relationship with employees.

The Many Families of the Godchaux Reserve House

From 1764 to 1869, the house, surrounding property and sugar production went through no less than six ownership changes.  Beginning with the first owner Jean-Baptise Laubel, a French soldier, the property was transferred within several years to Christome Borne, a local farmer. Borne then sold the property to  Jean-Baptiste Fleming and Jeanette Teinter, free people of color.

In another six years, Francois and Elise’ Rillieux, also free people of color, from a prominent New Orleans family purchased, expanded and improved the property.  After Francois’s death in 1827, his widow attained full ownership in 1829 and sold the property in 1833 to Antoine Boudousquie and his brother-in-law Michel Andry. 

By the start of the Civil War in 1861, Antoine had died and his widow started to have financial problems.  Leon Godchaux purchased the property in 1869, beginning a historic success story in sugar production.

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