Saint Francisville in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Old Benevolent Society Building
11738 Ferdinand Street, St. Francisville, West Feliciana Parish
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, December 21, 2023
1. Old Benevolent Society Building Marker
In the aftermath of the Civil War, benevolent societies filled an urgent need for medical care and burials of freed slaves that had once been filled by the masters of the plantations. As the years passed these societies served as a way to provide union and fellowship amongst the black community within a radius determined by each society.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, churches struggled to provide sanctuary and socialization in addition to salvation. Nearly every church had its benevolent society that filled dire and pressing needs such as sitting with the sick, feeding the weak, funding medical care and covering the expenses of a decent burial.
This building serves as a reminder of the significant role benevolent societies played in Southern black culture during the century following the end of the Civil War. By the 1960s, desegregation and modern health and burial insurance plans lessened the need for many of the societies to exist.
The building is owned by the Old Benevolent Society / Order of the Eastern Star and is in need of repairs to the foundation and exterior walls. Use of the building ceased in December 2016, due to structural concerns.
Erected by Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these
this page online
Location. 30° 46.636′ N, 91° 22.931′ W. Marker is in Saint Francisville, Louisiana, in West Feliciana Parish. It is on Ferdinand Street (State Road 1263) near Cr. 420, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11738 Ferdinand St, Saint Francisville LA 70775, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Florida Parishes and in Greater Baton Rouge. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Old Benevolent Society (here, next to this marker); Rose Cottage (a few steps from this marker); Vinci-Sansoni (within shouting distance of this marker); Mollibert's Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Hardware Store (within shouting distance of this marker); John James Audubon (within shouting distance of this marker); St~ Francisville (within shouting distance of this marker); Rasberry Baptist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saint Francisville.
Also see . . . Louisiana Historic Trust website. (Submitted on December 23, 2023, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.)
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, December 21, 2023
2. Old Benevolent Society Building Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 23, 2023, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 315 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 23, 2023, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.
