The Delta of eastern Arkansas holds a special place in my heart, and one of my absolute favorite spots to visit in the Delta is Lakeport Plantation in Chicot County. On a recent trip, I was once again captivated by its rich history and timeless beauty. Walking through the grounds, I found myself reflecting on the many untold stories woven into the very fabric of this grand plantation. If you’re looking for a destination that offers a deep connection to the past, I encourage you to visit and experience this incredible site for yourself.
History
In Chicot County, the name Lakeport echoes through time. It all began with Lake Port, an oxbow of the Mississippi River, where steamboats once carried thousands of bales of cotton to New Orleans. But the real gem is Lakeport Plantation itself, established before the Civil War by Joel Johnson, a Kentuckian who built an empire along the river. His son, Lycurgus, and wife, Lydia, moved into the now-iconic 17-room house in 1860, and it remained in the family until 1927.
“Lakeport Plantation was built in 1859 and is one of Arkansas’ premier historic landmarks,” said site director Ruth O’Loughlin. “It is the state’s only remaining antebellum plantation house along the Mississippi River. After being restored by Arkansas State University, it now serves as a museum and educational center.”
Listed on the National Historic Register in 1974 and donated to ASU in 2001, Lakeport was later designated as an official project of Save America’s Treasures in 2002. Extensive renovations through ASU’s Delta Heritage Initiative culminated in its grand reopening in September 2007.
Farming
Before the Civil War, Lycurgus Johnson enslaved 155 individuals and farmed over 4,000 acres, producing upwards of 1,300 bales of cotton each year. As O’Loughlin explained, “Lakeport’s story reflects the transition from enslaved labor to tenant farming, sharecropping and eventually mechanized agriculture. The house itself, largely unchanged, gives visitors a chance to step back in time and experience what life was like when the Johnson family moved in around 1860. Many original finishes, like faux wood-grained doors and marble-painted mantels, are still visible today.”
While the house is unfurnished, the few pieces inside help tell the broader story of the plantation’s history. The interpretive tour of the grand, two-story Greek Revival mansion offers a unique look into the lives of both the Johnson family and the farmers who followed.
Though history is at the forefront, Lakeport is still a working cotton plantation. The Epstein Land Company owns the surrounding fields, which have remained in cotton production since the 1830s. While the focus of the tours is on architecture and the people who lived and worked here, the connection to farming is evident. “We don’t have original equipment on-site,” said O’Loughlin, “but guests can often see modern-day farming in action. A few rows of cotton are left unharvested each season for visitors to see and even pick for themselves.”
Exhibits
Known as the “Jewel of the Delta,” Lakeport Plantation doesn’t offer a romanticized view of the Old South. Instead, the house speaks for itself through its architecture, while subtle exhibits tell the stories of those who lived and worked on the land. Visitors will also learn about the modern techniques—like microscopic paint analysis and ground-penetrating radar—used to uncover details about the home’s construction and history.
One of the highlights of a visit is the commissary room, tucked away at the back of the house, which operated like an old country store well into the 1980s. Here, you’ll find displays of the types of goods locals could once buy, from staple foods to everyday products. Such exhibits have earned Lakeport Plantation national recognition from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Association for State and Local History.
A Place for Reflection
Today, Lakeport Plantation stands as a living testament to Arkansas’ agricultural past and the resilience of the Delta. Its meticulously restored architecture and thoughtfully curated exhibits offer visitors an immersive experience, connecting them to both the grandeur of plantation life and the everyday realities of those who lived and worked there. Whether you’re fascinated by history, architecture or the evolution of Southern farming, Lakeport provides a window into a complex era that shaped this region.
But more than just a relic of the past, Lakeport Plantation is an invitation to reflect on how far we’ve come and how much there is still to learn from the stories that remain. The plantation’s enduring beauty, framed by the surrounding cotton fields, is a reminder that the past is never far behind us—it lives in the landscape, the structures and the legacies of those who walked these grounds before us.
I encourage you to take the time to visit this remarkable site. As you explore the halls of the Greek Revival mansion or wander through the surrounding grounds, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate history of southeast Arkansas. There’s something truly special about standing in a place where history isn’t just told, but felt.
So, next time you’re in the southeastern Delta, make a stop at Lakeport Plantation. Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, there’s always something new to discover—something that brings the past just a little bit closer.
For more information, including hours and admission fees, visit the Lakeport Plantation website at lakeport.astate.edu.
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