The Caspiana Plantation Store was moved in 1991 Photo by Candice Pauley, courtesy of Cane River National Heritage Area

The Caspiana Plantation Store was built in 1906. It originally was located in Caddo Parish on the site of the former Caspiana Plantation, but in 1991, it was sold on the condition that it be removed from the property. The building was cut in half and transported in two parts to its present location in the city of Natchitoches. The store was part of the crop-lien system, in which local tenant farmers could purchase seeds and equipment from the store on credit by using their future crop as collateral. This system often led to poor farmers becoming trapped in debt, as the high interest charges attached to the loans would often cause the total bill for a season to be more than the value of the crop. The store declined in the mid-20th century as agriculture became mechanized and the crop-lien system was rendered obsolete. Like many of the old plantation stores, Caspiana was abandoned and allowed to deteriorate. Few of these stores were saved and, as such, the Caspiana Store offers a glimpse into an important era in the history of Southern agriculture.

Caspiana Plantation Store Photo by Candice Pauley, courtesy of Cane River National Heritage Area

The Caspiana Plantation Store is a large two-story vernacular building without stylistic decorative details. It has a prominent front gable and two one-story wings connected to its sides. It also has a single-story porch that stretches across the store’s front. After being moved to Natchitoches, the store was largely returned to its original purpose, selling seed and feed. This business lasted for a little more than a decade before shutting down. After being listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the store is now being used as a car dealership and income tax return agency.

The Caspiana Plantation Store is located at 1300 Texas St. in Natchitoches. The building is open during the business hours of 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday-Saturday.