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.