Historic Oakland
Explore exquisite architecture, furniture & decorative arts at historic Oakland in Natchez Mississippi. Call (601) 920-9154.
Learn Oakland's Rich History
The Story of Oakland
“Oakland” was built by Horatio Sprague Eustis as a wedding gift for his wife Catherine Chotard in 1840. The land (22.5 acres) had been part of her wedding dowry from her father Major Henry Chotard in 1838. It was built in the Greek Revival style and consisted of the main house and two large outbuildings (only one of which survives) forming a “U” shape compound with a long alley of majestic Oaks approaching from the west. After graduating from Harvard in 1830, Mr Eustis had relocated from Rhode Island to Natchez where he practiced law. Miss Chotard was from a prominent Natchez family with her maternal grandfather being the last Spanish Governor of the Natchez territory Stephen Minor and her father having served as General Andrew Jackson’s aide-de-camp during the battle of New Orleans in 1815. In 1857 the property was sold to her first cousin John Duncan Minor (grandson of the Spanish territorial governor) and his wife Katherine Surget Minor. Despite Mississippi’s succession during the American Civil War (1861–1865), the Minor’s remained steadfast Unionists and frequently entertained Federal officers following Natchez’s occupation in 1863. This was not well received by many in Natchez and the associated stress led to a decline in Mr Minor’s health leading to his death in 1869 at age 37. Oakland remained in the hands of the Minor family until 1949 when it was sold to Alan W. Granning who subsequently subdivided the property leaving 3 1/2 acres around the residence. The title passes to Lawrence and Kate Don Adams in 1960 after which the house became part of the annual Natchez Pilgrimage. In 2021 the property was purchased by Dr Thomas and Dorie LeMay who undertook a three year complete restoration. Along with the extensive repairs, the LeMay’s furnished the home with one of the finest collections of furniture and decorative arts in Mississippi. They continue to upgrade the property and its collections while splitting their time between this and their other Natchez home the LeMay Arrighi mansion.
Historical References
”Oakland” is included in "A Guide to Early American Homes – South" (1956), "The Majesty of Natchez" (1969/1981/1986) (p. 66), "Old Homes of Mississippi, Volume I: Natchez and the South" (1977) (p. 58), "The Great Houses of Natchez" (1986) (pp. 85-87), "Classic Natchez" (1996) (pp. 102-103), and "Louisiana Architecture, 1714-1820" (2004) (pp. 65-66).
Note: This is one of two properties in the Natchez area that have the name "Oakland." (The other is "Oakland Plantation" at 1124 Lower Woodville Road, south of Natchez, 001-NAT-5105-NR.)
Discover Oakland’s Architectural Importance
Mississippi Dept. of Archives & History Nomination Form
“Oakland” was built by Horatio Sprague Eustis as a wedding gift for his wife Catherine Chotard in 1840. The land (22.5 acres) had been part of her wedding dowry from her father Major Henry Chotard in 1838. It was built in the Greek Revival style and consisted of the main house and two large outbuildings (only one of which survives) forming a “U” shape compound with a long alley of majestic Oaks approaching from the west. After graduating from Harvard in 1830, Mr Eustis had relocated from Rhode Island to Natchez where he practiced law. Miss Chotard was from a prominent Natchez family with her maternal grandfather being the last Spanish Governor of the Natchez territory Stephen Minor and her father having served as General Andrew Jackson’s aide-de-camp during the battle of New Orleans in 1815. In 1857 the property was sold to her first cousin John Duncan Minor (grandson of the Spanish territorial governor) and his wife Katherine Surget Minor. Despite Mississippi’s succession during the American Civil War (1861–1865), the Minor’s remained steadfast Unionists and frequently entertained Federal officers following Natchez’s occupation in 1863. This was not well received by many in Natchez and the associated stress led to a decline in Mr Minor’s health leading to his death in 1869 at age 37. Oakland remained in the hands of the Minor family until 1949 when it was sold to Alan W. Granning who subsequently subdivided the property leaving 3 1/2 acres around the residence. The title passes to Lawrence and Kate Don Adams in 1960 after which the house became part of the annual Natchez Pilgrimage. In 2021 the property was purchased by Dr Thomas and Dorie LeMay who undertook a three year complete restoration. Along with the extensive repairs, the LeMay’s furnished the home with one of the finest collections of furniture and decorative arts in Mississippi. They continue to upgrade the property and its collections while splitting their time between this and their other Natchez home the LeMay Arrighi mansion.
National Registry Information
Address:9 Oakhurst Drive
Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi
Architectural Information
Construction Date:c.1840
Styles(s):Greek Revival
No. of Stories:1
NR Listing Date:21 Oct 1976