Fig. 18. The Red Rock General Store, circa 1910, with gallery and flagpole (Bldg. 7).
The physical area required for the small farm caused the dwellings to be dispersed among the hills. One result was the existence of the lonely farmstead and the extended neighborhoods. Community feelings developed and interactions occurred at places of meeting. These meetings were both formal and casual. The formal occasions would occur at the church, school, or in rare cases the Masonic Lodge. Informal gatherings occurred at the rural general store.
The predominant religions in the hilly country west of the Ouachita were Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian. Church services would be held on Sunday. Some denominations would also have weekly prayer services. Additional community happenings were the annual graveyard clearing with “dinner on the ground” and a revival. At these events family and friends would discuss newsworthy events. [Figure 16] is an example of the small rural church which was built in the region.
The Masonic Lodge was once an important community establishment. The Cadeville Lodge, [figure 17], is one of the few lodge buildings remaining in North Louisiana. The first floor could be used for public services or community meetings. But the second floor was reserved for the private functions of the lodge members.
The general store not only provided for the physical needs of the rural inhabitants, but also it contributed to their emotional well-being as well. The store owner would stock his business by traveling to distribution centers, often on the Ouachita River, purchasing goods and selling them to area residents. The regular weekly journey from the farm to the store would be a time for sharing news and discussing public events. Thus, supplied both physically and emotionally, the family member, or members, would return to the rural dwelling.
The general store shown in [figure 18] had a porch for neighborly use, wide openings and a high ceiling for ventilation, and it even featured a flag pole in the front yard.
EAST OF THE OUACHITA...
THE RIVER PLANTATION HOUSES, 19TH CENTURY
The alluvial lands on the east side of the Ouachita fostered a settlement pattern which contrasted greatly with that of the hilly country west of the river. Large holdings had been claimed during the latter part of the 18th century and early 19th century. The Ouachita River then was the only source of regional transportation. Therefore, it was necessary from a communication transportation aspect that the land holdings possess headrights on the river.