From Tally-Ho to Forest Home

About the Book

This history of two plantations on the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge examines the people and places around the tiny town of Bayou Goula in Iberville Parish from 1699 to 2000. It describes the different governmental policies that shaped the land tenure of the region. In chapter 3 the book describes the Acadian settlement and how two free people of color purchased several farms and consolidated them into the Tally-Ho plantation. Later chapters described the John Hampden Randolphs and the John D. Murrells, both investors from Virginia.

Chapter six describes the rise and fall of the community of Bayou Goula. Chapter seven describes the African-Americans along Bayou Goula. Some of the family relationships are identified. Links between workers in the twentieth century and workers in slavery appear.

Chapter eight relies on memoirs of life at Tally-Ho and the community of Bayou Goula. It presents happy remembrances of things past. The chapter discusses education in the community, daily life, transportation, and relations between the families.

Chapter nine describes the founding of the George M. Murrell Planting & Manufacturing Co., the major sugar grower and heir of the 19^th century planters. Finally, the book discusses the 20^th century successes and failures in the sugar business.

About the Author

WILLIAM DALE REEVES was born in New Orleans in 1941. He received a B.A. from Williams College, and a Ph. D. from Tulane University in 1968. After fifteen years in history teaching and research, he worked for eight years in a real estate investment trust and as President of an insurance company. He served on the Orleans Parish School Board from 1972-78. Since 1990 he has been a full-time contract historian. His publications include an article on the Public Works Administration in the Journal of American History (1973); De La Barre: Life of a French Creole Family in Louisiana; Historic City Park: New Orleans; Westwego: From Cheniere to Canal; Manresa on the Mississippi: for the Greater Glory of God ; "A Transitional Plantation House in Louisiana Architecture" in Arris, the Journal of the Southeast Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians VIII (1997), 24-33; Paths to Distinction: Dr. James White, Governor E. D. White and Chief Justice Edward Douglass White of Louisiana; Historic Louisiana: An Illustrated History. He also serves as a consultant to agencies and law firms on historical matters. He is chairman of the History Committee of the Preservation Resource Center, past President and current Treasurer of the Louisiana Historical Society.