In
this quaint, historic town, The Levy-East House Bed and Breakfast
Inn invites you to step back in time. Natchitoches (NAK-I-TISH),
with its population of about 18,000, was founded in 1714 by Louis
Juchereau de St. Denis, and is the oldest settlement in the Louisiana
Purchase. Brick streets and iron-laced balconies over-looking
the river give Natchitoches the flavor of New Orleans that charms
so many visitors each year. Since 1838, the Levy-East House, from
its site on beautifully tree-lined Jefferson Street, over-looking
Cane River Lake, has watched history unfold.
The
Levy-East House was built in the 1830s by Joseph Soldini, a
bricklayer and designed by Italian architect Athaneze Trizzzini
for Dr. Nichola Michel Friedelezy, a French Canadian. The doctor
died in 1840 after living in the house for only two years.
According to legend, the doctor's medical license was suspected to
be fraudulent. Court records show that the house, lot, and two
slaves of the late Dr. Friedelezy were sold at an auction in 1840,
for $3,700 to John A. Debussy. From 1854 to 1891, the Tauzin
family owned the home. In 1891, Leopold and Justine Dreyfus Levy
purchased the house.
The
Greek-Revival house with French and Spanish influences has 10½
foot ceilings, original heart pine floors and six fireplaces.
There are five bedrooms, six bathrooms, four parlor areas, front
and back porch balconies with beautiful views of Can River Lake
and the century-old garden area where a majestic old magnolia tree
has stood for over one hundred years.
When
present owners, Avery and Judy East, purchased the home in 1994,
it was in great state of disrepair. The house did, however,
contain a multitude of furnishings. The East's proceeded to
restore both the house and the furnishings. The walls were warmed
with vibrant, rich colors and the windows were dressed with lavish
draperies fashioned from designer fabrics. The home was opened in November
1994 as a Bed and Breakfast.
