My Houzz: Once a Rebel Capitol, Now a Storied Home
Painstaking work turns an 1809 building with many past lives into a homey, inviting residence for a Louisiana couple
The year was 1810, and the United States was deep in negotiations with Spain over the ownership of a region above New Orleans known as West Florida. American settlers, tired of Spanish rule, staged a brief rebellion and established the short-lived, independent Republic of West Florida. And for their capitol, they chose an 1809 brick hotel in small St. Francisville, Louisiana.
Known today as the Cabildo, this building has had many lives: capitol, hotel, pharmacy, town library and, finally, private residence. In 2007 local contractor Peggy Gammill and her husband, Joey, purchased the building, determined to bring it back to life — a process that took 18 months of painstaking work.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Peggy and Joey Gammill
Location: St. Francisville, Louisiana
Size: 4,000 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 4½ bathrooms
Year built: 1809; renovated in 2007
Known today as the Cabildo, this building has had many lives: capitol, hotel, pharmacy, town library and, finally, private residence. In 2007 local contractor Peggy Gammill and her husband, Joey, purchased the building, determined to bring it back to life — a process that took 18 months of painstaking work.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Peggy and Joey Gammill
Location: St. Francisville, Louisiana
Size: 4,000 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 4½ bathrooms
Year built: 1809; renovated in 2007
The Cabildo has undergone many renovations in the past two centuries. Peggy’s goal was to uncover the original Spanish colonial style while introducing the conveniences of a modern home. She flies the Republic of West Florida’s flag by the front door — a deep blue field with a solitary white star (the original lone star flag).
The Cabildo as it was when Peggy and Joey purchased it in 2007. The previous owners had let it fall into complete disrepair after a failed restoration. Midcentury metal storefront windows had replaced the original wooden frames. The locally made brick had been plastered over, and vines were creeping up the side.
AFTER: Removing the plaster was a nerve-racking procedure, as no one knew if the ancient brick would be strong enough to support itself. Luckily, all went well, and the original brick once again shows through.
A historical marker now stands in front of the building.
The living room circa 2007. The ceiling reveals where the original beams were located, replaced by metal support poles. You can see the distressed plaster and the remnants of another renovation in the corner.
AFTER: Peggy stripped the walls to the original brick and transformed the old living room into a great room.
She replaced the makeshift metal poles with reclaimed wooden beams that span the ceiling and support the second floor. The exposed brick and rough beams immediately establish an impression of rustic elegance.
Reclaimed wooden beams break up the space into living, dining and kitchen areas. Repurposed beadboard adorns the bar separating the living room from the spacious kitchen.
The dining room’s ceiling beams are the original floor joists supporting the second floor. Old milk paint stubbornly clung to the grain, despite sanding. Instead of replacing the beams, Peggy used the color of the old paint as inspiration for the color of the ceiling and the kitchen cabinets.
Continuing the historic theme, the dining table was crafted by Peggy’s father from door trim that was removed during the renovation. The couple found the corner light post in the original structure and repurposed it. Its origin is a mystery, but they enjoy the warmth it brings to the room.
At left is a painting by local artist Joe Savell depicting the Cabildo as it is today.
Continuing the historic theme, the dining table was crafted by Peggy’s father from door trim that was removed during the renovation. The couple found the corner light post in the original structure and repurposed it. Its origin is a mystery, but they enjoy the warmth it brings to the room.
At left is a painting by local artist Joe Savell depicting the Cabildo as it is today.
Walking through the dining room into the kitchen, you are welcomed by warm dyed-concrete countertops. The exposed brick and stainless steel appliances lend an industrial feel.
All appliances: GE Monogram; kitchen cabinet paint: 0478, Farrell-Calhoun
All appliances: GE Monogram; kitchen cabinet paint: 0478, Farrell-Calhoun
Reclaimed beadboard continues from the bar into the kitchen as a backsplash.
Another view from the kitchen to the dining room.
Exposed beams frame the passageway leading from the kitchen to the master bedroom.
Once again, crumbling plaster was removed to bring the original 1809 brick to light.
Across from the bed is an antique chest topped by a map of the Mississippi River and its surrounding parishes. Peggy and Joey’s wedding album rests atop the chest.
The original staircase was dismantled, repaired and reinstalled.
Rather than completely refinish the stairway banister, Peggy let its character shine through. The scratches and marks attest to its history.
The strong presence of history is felt in the Cabildo through both pictures and structural details. Looking at the side entry, you can still see the brick archway through which carriages entered a courtyard. The door is flanked by a painting of Peggy’s ancestor, David L. Pipes, who was born in 1802 — seven years before the house was completed.
Framed at the top of this vignette is a drawing of Captain John Barrow and some carpetbaggers, commemorating a gunfight that occurred right in front of the Cabildo in 1866. Below is a handwritten account of the fight by local historian David Norwood.
A door that’s original to the house opens into a guest bath. The stubborn milk paint seen on the dining room beams can be spotted here as well.
Painting: New Orleans artist Caliche
Painting: New Orleans artist Caliche
Exposed brick appears in the half bath as well.
Keeping the brick as original as possible, Peggy left the wooden blocks that can be found around the door frame. They were used to secure trim to the brick wall.
The beams that Peggy’s father used to create the dining room table came from the hallway leading to the kitchen and master bedroom.
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Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Eclectic Homes | Modern Homes | Contemporary Homes | Midcentury Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Barn Homes | Townhouses |Apartments | Lofts | Vacation Homes
More: Restoration Rallies a 1790 Stone Springhouse