A House With Stories to Tell
Construction began in 1896 by Dr. F.J. Kearny as a wedding gift to his daughter and was completed in 1903. The home, constructed with materials from the Kearny and Deblieux Lumber Company in Plaquemine, showcases longleaf pine and cypress inside and out, with square nails securing its structure. Wood laths, 1.5 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick, were used in plastering the walls and ceilings. This home was so exquisite that it was invited to be featured at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. Remarkably, the house was transported up the Mississippi River on a barge, displayed at the fair, and then returned to Plaquemine, where it was reassembled in its original location.
After Dr. Kearny’s passing, his widow sold the house to Dr. and Mrs. Samuel Schwing. The Schwings maintained ownership until Dr. Rhodes Spedale and his wife Zoe purchased the home for $5,000 in 1936 after renting an upstairs room from the Schwings for three years. The Spedales became widely known for their elegant dinner and garden parties, held in this home. To better accommodate their frequent guests, the Spedales extended the home, adding additional entertaining space and a permanent valet stand where arriving guests were greeted. Upon entering the home, guests were awestruck by the immaculately kept rooms adorned with Mrs. Spedale’s renowned antique collection, carefully selected during her travels around the world. An auction in 2014 showcased many of Mrs. Spedale’s prized antiques, including her beautiful crystal chandeliers, extensive spoon collection, entertaining pieces, and antique furniture.
Today, the current owners continue the legacy of those before them, welcoming a new generation of creatives to experience the home’s timeless elegance and quiet grandeur.