The Architecture of the North Louisiana River Parishes, Volume 1: Ouachita Parish

by Louisiana Tech University. Department of Architecture

INTRODUCTION...

A most useful tool for understanding the culture of a region is the study of its architecture. Buildings in which people live, work, learn, and worship reflect their tastes, economics status, and aspirations. And it is through research of extant architecture of an area that knowledge of past culture is ascertained.

The Louisiana Tech University Department of Architecture has received grants from the State Division of Historic Preservation and the Division of the Arts to conduct field surveys of various parishes in North Louisiana. The purpose of the surveys has been to ascertain the types, location and quality of buildings 50 years or more in age. The architecture students toured the highways and back roads and photographed houses, outbuildings, churches, schools and commercial buildings. They interviewed occupants and area historians in search of information concerning original builder/owners. Each building was then documented, and the compilation of documentation was cataloged by the Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation in Baton Rouge.

Each student was required to prepare eight pen or pencil sketches of buildings of individual choice. The original drawings, of which there are now over 1300, were placed in the William King Stubbs Architectural Archives, the permanent collection of North Louisiana architectural drawings at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston.

The Ouachita Parish publication is the initial volume of a series entitled “The Architecture of the North Louisiana River Parishes.” The Ouachita River divides the parish into two distinct regions, the western portion being hilly country with the eastern portion being flat river delta terrain.

Thus, a unique opportunity exists to study in one parish various lifestyles and cultures as reflected in historic architecture. Not only is there the rural architecture of the western hills which contrast with the rural architecture of the delta lands, but these elements may be examined in relation to the urban architecture of Monroe and West Monroe—The Twin Cities on the Ouachita.

Following is the history of the settlement of the parish and descriptions of the areas west of the Ouachita, east of the Ouachita, and the urban fabric of the Twin Cities. A [catalog] of extant buildings according to plan type and characteristic details concludes the booklet.

So, join us now for a tour of the architecture of Ouachita Parish.

Fig. 1. Rear view of Cadeville Masonic Lodge, west of the Ouachita.

Fig. 2. A rural bungalow, east of the Ouachita.

Fig. 3. In the old city cemetery, Monroe.