Layton Castle, 1133 South Grand, Monroe, Ouachita Parish, LA

1992 Charles E. Peterson Prize, Entry
Significance: Layton Castle (1133 South Grand, Monroe, Louisiana) was begun by Henry Bry, a Swiss emigre who had arrived in North Louisiana in 1803. He constructed a raised cottage circa 1814 and named his residence "Mulberry Grove" in deference to the mulberry trees planted for his silk industry. Bry also built a sugar mill, brick kiln, and an extant wine house. John James Audubon resided at the house while painting birds of the region. Two major alterations transformed the appearance of the original raised cottage. Robert Layton constructed the northeast two story wing with a mansard roof circa 1860. Mrs. Eugenia Stubbs Layton began "Layton Castle" in 1910 by encasing the original raised cottage and the 1860 wing with red brick fired on the site. This addition included the tower, gallery, turret, and porte cochere with Romanesque Revival columns.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-136
Survey number: HABS LA-1231
Building/structure dates: 1814 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1860 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1910 Subsequent Work