Smith House - Franklin, LA - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

Fine home, well landscaped and appeared to be in fine condition. Located on Second St. within the Historic District boundries of Franklin. Home was used as the first Bank in St. Mary Parish in 1837. Good history comes from the Louisiana State Register application, located here, which states:

The Smith house is significant in the area of architecture as a large, early, and important example of the influence of the English architectural tradition in French Louisiana. The design represents a heavily Anglicized Creole house plan with a standard of Federal style woodwork which is seldom surpassed in terms of fullness of detail. The staircase is particularly noteworthy because it represents one of the most complex and elaborate pieces of staircase design and craftsmanship in Louisiana. Most staircases of the period had one or two flights of steps with one or two plain newel posts, but the Smith house staircase has three flights of steps and four completely different newel posts each with its own intricately turned pattern. The Smith house was built in 1832 by John Hartman as a wedding gift for his bride, Sarah Knight. The Hartmans, however, did not remain in the house long. In 1837, the New Orleans Canal and Banking Company acquired the house and opened the first bank in St. Mary's Parish in the living room. In 1848, Dr. James Smith bought the property. The house was occupied by members of the Smith family until 1917. It has remained known as the Smith House due to its long association with this family. Upon the death of Dr. James Smith's son in 1917, the house was sold to Joseph Birg, who kept it only a short time. In 1918 it was bought by Mr. George Palfrey, who lived there with his family for six years. In 1924 Mr. Paul Kramer acquired the house and completely renovated it.

Street address: 909 2nd St Franklin, LA USA 70538 County / Borough / Parish: St. Mary Year listed: 1980 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering Periods of significance: 1825-1849 Historic function: Commerce/Trade, Domestic. Sub - Financial Institution, Single Dwelling Current function: Domestic. Sub - Single Dwelling Privately owned?: yes Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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