Traveler’s Rest Plantation Parade

This is another one we don’t know who, where or even when.  We do, however, know a lot about the plantation it is named for.

1893 World’s Fair Editon
Monroe Evening News
(Special Collections, OPPL)

Traveler’s Rest plantation was built between 1835 and 1840 by David Hasley.  When his widow, the philanthropist Phinetta Hasley passed away in 1878, Major Thomas McGuire bought it and renamed it Traveler’s Rest.

The plantation had a 72 foot long verandah, big columns and was painted white.  The original section was made of hand-hewn cypress logs and the rafters were pine poles.  Hand-molded brick made the chimney.  Unusual for the time, it had a brick lined cellar.  The DAR in the 1960s collected the McGuire papers into a great book and there is a very detailed description of the interior that is wonderful!  One fact I will share from the book that made me laugh:  It seems the plantation was a perfect stopping spot for the night for travelers along the Arkansas Road.  The McGuire’s were very welcoming and guests would eat them out of house and home!  Thomas’ wife Mary decided to start charging guests $1 per night.  This put a stop to most of the uninvited guests!  The welcoming nature of the McGuire family lead to the name “Traveler’s Rest”.