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.
[Illustration: _Fig. 1. Rear view of Cadeville Masonic Lodge, west
of the Ouachita._]
[Illustration: _Fig. 2. A rural bungalow, east of the Ouachita._]
[Illustration: _Fig. 3. In the old city cemetery, Monroe._]