National Historic Site: Villa Louis Mansion

Hercules Louis Dousman I (1800-1868), prominent fur agent for the American Fur Company, advisor to the government on matters ranging from Indian affairs to land surveys, owner of river steamboats and a proponent of the railroads, built a large brick Georgian style house here in 1843.

In 1870, it was replaced by his son with this villa complex and outbuildings. The house stands on a mound--believed to be a Hopewell site--which was also the site of two early forts.

Information provided by the National Register of Historic Places, a program of the National Park Service.

Edited by Cynthia Catellier, University of West Florida Department of Public History