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LaSalle dies in home he loved
Published Saturday, August 23, 2008
NATCHEZ — On Aug. 14 Arthur Edward Cavalier de LaSalle died at the home he spent years refurbishing.
In 1977 LaSalle moved to Jefferson County to begin renovating the Springfield Plantation.
The house was built in the 1700s and is said to have been the spot where President Andrew Jackson was married.
When he arrived, the house had been abandoned for more than a decade and housed only rats and pigeons.
Those who knew LaSalle said refurbishing Springfield was his life’s work.
Friend of LaSalle and genealogy chair of the Natchez Historical Society Candace Bundgard said LaSalle was passionately fascinated with Springfield.
“He was in love with the fallen grandeur of the Old South,” she said. “He loved the romance of it all. And it probably would not be standing today if it were not for Arthur.”
And while Bundgard said LaSalle’s love was the restoration of the plantation home, he never had the opportunity to purchase the home.
Jason Faulkner, the executor of the estate, said until just weeks ago the home’s owner refused to sell Springfield.
Two weeks before LaSalle died the house was sold to an out of state buyer.
However, Faulkner said LaSalle, 78, was getting on in years he was not sure if he would have purchased the house even if he had the opportunity.
Instead of ownership LaSalle had a lifetime lease on the property and gave tours of the home.
While Faulkner said Springfield was not officially part of Natchez Pilgrimage Tours he said LaSalle relied on Fall and Spring Pilgrimage for part of his business.
Faulkner said Springfield’s newest owner has closed the home for further restoration work and does not know when it will reopen.
Regardless of the future of Springfield, Faulkner said the history of the plantation was forever preserved by LaSalle’s dedication.
“He loved the history and he loved to share it with people,” he said.
Comments
Posted by oldschool (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 4:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He will be greatly missed. A very nice man and yees he loved the history and that home.
Posted by NoWireHangers (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I met him at a Natchez Historical Society meeting and he
was talking about his beloved Springfield. Such a gentleman!
I'm sad to hear of his passing.
Posted by Kaintuck (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 6:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am sorry to hear about Arthur. Arthur was a colorful character, who lived and breathed the Old South. He had a timeless quality about him, and loved to give tours at Springfield. Unlike many extant plantations, it still sits on about a thousand acres, and let's one remember; though it is quieter now, without the sounds of children laughing, dogs barking, chickens and horses. If you have never visited Springfield, it is well worth the short trip up S.R. 553. Thanks Candy for your kind comments about Arthur - he will be sorely missed.
Posted by thetinman (Keith Reynolds) on August 24, 2008 at 6:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In years past I was friends with Mr LaSalle. I hate to hear he had past away. He really love Springfield Plantation. He did have a passion for it. His love for Springfield began years before he moved from Pennsylvania with his wife and her three children. He also had a history for trains. I still remember the restored train engine he had in the front yard at Springfield.
Hate to hear you moved on Mr LaSalle. Will miss seeing you.
Posted by anniegms (anonymous) on August 24, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We will miss you, Arthur! We will make sure your beloved Springfield is never forgotten in the History of Jefferson County. Go rest now, and we will thing of you often and remember with grateful hearts all you did to make the history come alive again.
Ann Allen Geoghegan
webmaster of http://jeffersoncountyms.org
Posted by clippinchick (anonymous) on August 26, 2008 at 1:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank ya'll so much for all your kind words about Mr. Arthur. My husband & I were his neighbors. You are right he will be missed. Springfields driveway has never been so quite. He opened Springfield everyday but christmas even when he went on a trip he made sure that he had someone to handle the tours for him. Arthur had even talked my husband into doing the tours for 12 days. Springfield had a great turnout while he was gone and Arthur was well pleased. And the selling of Springfield was hard on him but he was happy too because he knew the place would be taking care of. We and a few others check on the place and feed the cats, I even brought home a kitten and her name is La Sally. Yes we will miss him too. Andrea Irvin
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