Calumet Plantation
Marker Name
Calumet Plantation
Marker Dedicated
May 30, 1971
Marker Sponsor
United States Daughters of 1812 – Chalmette Chapter
Marker Location
Front of West Baton Rouge Parish Fire Station, intersection of Highways 1145 and 76 Rosedale Road, Port Allen, LA
Marker Text
Home of Douglas C. Montan (1834 through 1896), who named this plantation “Calumet” after Indian name for peace-pipe. Montan represented Iberville and West Baton Rouge Parishes in the Louisiana State Senate. Montan wrote (1856) a popular book entitled Redstick
which was about Baton Rouge life.
Background
Calumet Plantation was named for the traditional Indian peace pipe. The plantation began with the purchase of a tract of land on June 7, 1875, by Douglas Cullum Montan and his sister, Mrs. William P. (Mary Lelia) Harper. The house is next to Allendale Plantation. Montan (1834 through 1896) represented Iberville and West Baton Rouge parishes in the Louisiana Senate and wrote a fictional account of life in Baton Rouge entitled Redstick (Scenes in the South), which was published in 1856.
Owners
The present owners of the plantation are: Mrs. William Harper Forman; Mrs. Robert McCormick, Houston; Edward R. Badeaux, Jr, Brooklyn; and William Harper Forman, Jr, New Orleans.
Marker Unveiling
New Orleans author, Harnett T. Kane, serving as the Historical Program Chairman of the Louisiana Tourist Commission, presented the marker during the dedication ceremony on Sunday, May 30, 1971. William Harper Forman, Jr, great grandnephew of Montan, unveiled the marker.
Literature
View the following published pieces to learn more:
- Chronicles of West Baton Rouge by Elizabeth Kellough and Leona Mayeux, 1979, page 255
- Information compiled by William Harper Forman, Jr, great grandnephew of Montan
- Morning Advocate, May 29, 1971
- Program dedication May 30, 1971
- Reference files at the West Baton Rouge Museum and Library
- State Historic marker files at the West Baton Rouge Museum
- The State Times, May 31, 1971