Cultural Heritage and Economic Development Clash in Louisiana’s Great River Road
A Region Steeped in History and Culture
The Great River Road, an 11-mile stretch of land in Louisiana, is a living testament to the state’s rich cultural and historical legacy. This region, nestled along the Mississippi River, is home to centuries-old sugar cane plantations and a vibrant Afro-Creole culture that has endured for generations. The area’s historical significance is undeniable, as it was recently considered for National Historic Landmark designation following a multi-year review by the National Park Service. However, the decision to withdraw the region from consideration has sparked a heated debate between state officials, community organizations, and environmental advocates.
Preservation vs. Economic Development
At the heart of the controversy is the tension between preserving the region’s cultural and historical heritage and advancing economic development. State officials celebrated the withdrawal of the National Historic Landmark designation, arguing that it clears the way for industrial expansion and economic growth. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and business leaders contend that the region’s future lies in industrial development, which they believe will create jobs and improve quality of life for local residents. However, community organizations and historians warn that this approach threatens the very essence of the region’s identity and the legacy of its African American communities.
A Culture Under Attack
Ashley Rogers, executive director of the Whitney Plantation, points to the "changing priorities" of the Trump administration as the primary reason for the decision to withdraw the region from consideration for federal recognition. Rogers emphasizes that the move is politically motivated, stating, "It’s 100% because of the politics of the current administration, it’s not because we’ve suddenly decided that this place doesn’t matter." The region’s history is deeply intertwined with the experiences of enslaved people and the free African American communities that emerged after slavery. The withdrawal of the designation has been met with dismay by those who see it as a blow to the preservation of this critical cultural legacy.
The Historical Significance of the Great River Road
The National Park Service’s study, completed in October, concluded that the Great River Road landscape possesses "exceptional integrity" and conveys "the feeling of living and working in the plantation system in the American South." The region’s well-preserved plantation buildings have even been used as a backdrop for films like Quentin Tarantino’s "Django Unchained." However, beyond the antebellum architecture, the area holds a lesser-known but equally important history of the enslaved people who worked the plantations. Their burial sites are believed to be hidden in the surrounding cane fields, and many of their descendants continue to live in nearby communities. The study determined that the region is eligible for the same federal recognition as some of the nation’s most iconic historical sites, including Mount Vernon and Monticello.
The Role of Politics and Industrial Expansion
The decision to withdraw the Great River Road from consideration for National Historic Landmark designation was made at the request of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, which has openly supported industrial expansion in the region. Joy Beasley, who oversees the designation of historic landmarks for the National Park Service, stated in a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers that the determination was "premature and untimely" due to the cancellation of a proposed grain terminal project. Aurelia S. Giacometto, head of the Department of Environmental Quality, framed the decision as a victory for state autonomy, arguing that local authorities are better equipped to manage issues related to clean air, water, and industrial development.
Community Resistance and the Fight for Cultural Preservation
Despite the withdrawal of the National Historic Landmark designation, local historical and community organizations remain committed to preserving the region’s cultural legacy. Joy Banner, co-founder of The Descendants Project, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring historical properties in the Great River Road, believes that the region’s economy can be revitalized through the promotion and preservation of its history. Banner played a key role in halting the construction of a $600 million industrial grain terminal in the predominantly Black community of Wallace, a victory that highlights the power of grassroots activism. Community members like Isabella Poche, who has spent her life caring for the graves of her family and ancestors in the region’s cemeteries, hope to see the area protected for future generations. "I don’t want to move anywhere else," Poche said. "I’ve been here all my life."
The Great River Road’s story is one of resilience and resistance, as local communities continue to fight for the preservation of their cultural heritage in the face of industrialization and political opposition. The outcome of this struggle will determine not only the future of this historic region but also the legacy of the African American communities that have called it home for centuries.
