The Prudhomme-Rouquier House, a magnificent early 19th century residence, is an excellent example of French vernacular half-timber construction. It is the largest known example of bousillage construction in the United States. The original owner of the house, Frances Rouquier, was the son of a major stationed at the 18th century French post, Fort St. Jean Baptiste. He became a wealthy landowner, and in 1782 he married Marie Louise Prudhomme, daughter of Jean Baptiste Prudhomme. The Prudhommes were another prominent family in the area—Jean Baptiste Prudhomme was known as “Doctor of the King.” The Prudhomme-Rouquier House is located on Rouquier’s Spanish land grant. The land was acquired between 1762 and 1800, when Natchitoches was under Spanish Rule, in exchange for monies loaned to the Spanish government. The extensive property behind the house at that time was a working cotton plantation. Over time, cotton fields gave way to urbanization—today the house sits on Jefferson Street in the midst of Natchitoches’ National Historic Landmark District. While the original architecture of the house is the French Creole style seen throughout the interior, the exterior was extensively remodeled around 1825 by the second owners—Rouquier’s daughter, Henrietta, and her husband, Judge John C. Carr. The remodeling resulted in the Federal and Greek Revival façade and the foyer staircase that characterize the house today. The house is owned by the Service League of Natchitoches, a non-profit organization of women whose mission is to foster interest in the social, economic, educational, civic and cultural conditions of the community and to make efficient their community service. The Service League purchased the Prudhomme-Rouquier House in 1976 with proceeds from its cookbook, Cane River Cuisine. Cookbook sales have been integral in helping fund the restoration process. In addition to funds raised by Service League activities, several grant awards have contributed to restoration work on the historic property. Grants from the Cane River National Heritage Area Commission, the State of Louisiana, and the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission furthered restoration of the Prudhomme-Rouquier House. In 1999, the Cane River National Heritage Area Commission received a Save America’s Treasures grant to assist with restoration of this significant property.