The Power of Paint

This handsome reverse Eichler on Pershing Avenue was rejuvenated in 2018 with fresh paint, white with grey trim.   It is truly an example of the power of paint in preservation.

2018

2016

Fred Barksdale Mid-century Classic

A custom contemporary mid-century gem at 2829 Elliott St. is currently listed.  This historic home in the Post-War Suburbs National Register Historic District was designed by Alexandria's great 20th century architect, Fred Barksdale.

From the National Register nomination, "A spreading, flat roof, single story contemporary residence occupying the corner of Elliott and Hunter streets. The design, which borrows from the European International Style and Frank Lloyd Wright, is strongly three-dimensional. It makes frequent and marked use of the right angle, often in a dramatic way. The layout is very cross- axial. The main linear body runs parallel to Hunter Street, ending in a wide carport with an extended overhang. At ninety degrees to the main block are a carport driveway, blank carport end wall, and a wall along the driveway that extends to create a forecourt."

Golden Raintree

The golden raintree at 3016 Elliott Street adds a nice touch to this out-of-the-ordinary mid-century modern home designed by Fred Barksdale in our Alexandria Post-War Suburbs National Register Historic District.

Fall Beauty in our Historic District

Along with the architectural beauty that comes with the mid-century modern architecture of the Alexandria Post-War Suburbs National Register Historic District, there is much beauty from the plants and foliage.

On my walk this morning, this Pyracantha against the weathered white wall along Pierson Street off of Elliott Street was just stunning.  Enjoy the view.

Renaissance Ramble

The November-December 2016 issue of Louisiana Life magazine has a wonderful article about the renaissance that is occurring in downtown Alexandria, much due to the vision and ability to implement great restorations by Michael Jenkins.  While our midcentury modern historic district (Louisiana's first of its kind on the National Register of Historic Places) gracefully ages, our city's downtown is coming alive!

Saturday, 4/9-Tour of Harold Poole Home

Tour this beautiful mid-century modern home, the last home designed by architect Fred Barksdale.

Purchase Tickets

Beyond the Bayou - November 2014

As you are headed west on Elliott Street coming out of town and you approach the bayou, you pass a beautiful gingko tree. When the leaves turn yellow around this time of year, it is a sight to see. But did you know that “beyond the bayou” in the Post-War Suburbs, there is another gingko tree? In the Post-War Suburbs, in addition to the mid-century architecture of our ranch style and contemporary homes, we are also blessed with an abundance of trees providing shade and natural beauty to enhance our neighborhoods.

Come on over; take a walk on the wild side and enjoy our neighborhood. Find the gingko tree. Enjoy the many trees. And if you are interested in the architecture of some of our homes, download a walking tour brochure.

Beyond the Bayou - October 2014

In our Post-War Suburbs National Register Historic District we find many homes with interesting architectural elements.  Lacey ornamental iron posts are sometimes found on more traditional looking ranch houses, while more modern-looking ranch houses might feature posts with striking geometrical forms.

On a cool Fall day, take a walk through the district and you will find much beauty in these historic homes.   Download walking tour brochures.

Beyond the Bayou - September 2014

In a historic district are historic homes, many with interesting architectural elements, and some with interesting stories.  The original owner, Dr. Malcolm Denley, still lives in this ranch house at 3015 Stimson Ave.

Description
The National Register listing describes this home which was built in 1955 as “brick veneer ranch house with multiple low hip roofs; overhanging eaves; horizontal pane windows; and a decorative concrete block screen providing privacy for a front courtyard and entrance.”  Dr. Denley indicates that the original carport was enclosed as a rec room.

Dr. Denley’s stories
Malcolm and his late wife, Dee, moved to Alexandria in 1954 when he was 30 years old.  They raised three sons and three daughters in this house which was built in 1955.  He recalls that there were 5 or 6 other houses on the block when his house was built by Lloyd and Leon Desselle whose father bought part of the Petrus Plantation to develop the cotton fields.  Texas Ave. was a gravel road.

There were many children in the neighborhood, and they would be outside playing “kick the can” in the street or in the back yard playing basketball.  People stayed outside socializing in those days; there wasn’t that much TV, and the street was safe for the kids.  A neighbor, Mr. Wertz, would hail down any cars that would speed by.   Neighbors socialized and there were many dinner parties.

The Denleys stayed in this home over the years; one of the big reasons was “location, location, location.”  Being a pediatrician, Dr. Denley was close to both hospitals and his office on Jackson Extension.  For the children, Huddle Elementary School and Alexandria Junior High School were just a block or two away.  When Wayne Denley was in junior high, some of his friends (“Jock” Scott, Brenner Sadler, and Billy May) would ride their bikes  to the Denleys’, park the bikes and then walk to school together.  “They didn’t want the girls to see them on their bikes.  It was an image thing.” relates Dr. Denley.   “We always enjoyed living here.”

Beyond the Bayou - August 2014

In a historic district are historic homes, many with interesting architectural elements, and some with interesting stories.  The attractive ranch style home at 3011 Madonna Drive on the corner of Hunter Street has both.

Description (from the National Register listing)
Built between 1951 and 1956. Brick veneer “rambler” ranch house with multiple low hip roofs and overhanging eaves. Located on a corner lot, the house rambles to the rear at a roughly 45 degree angle from the main block, ending in a carport set at a 90 degree angle. Other features include lacey iron posts at the porch; a three-part picture window; numerous horizontal pane window units, grouped in twos and threes; and what appears to be an original door. The door features various molded vertical panels.
(Note:  The house was significantly damaged by the Christmas Day tornado of 2012.  During the restoration, the carport was replaced by a garage.)

A story about the house
Versions of this story were told to me by both the home owner and a neighbor, each of whom were provided with information by former neighbors.  Considering the sources, I believe the story to be true.
I was told that the house was built for former three time Governor Earl K. Long who lived in it with his wife, Blanche.  He suffered a fatal heart attack in 1960 while in the Baptist Hospital (later Rapides General Hospital) in Alexandria.  Some artifacts from the Governor’s mansion (or some other building) in Baton Rouge were found in the attic after the present owner purchased the house in 1986. There is more to the story than I have shared; let that be “the rest of the story”.

1st Year Anniversary on National Register

It's been a year since our mid-century modern neighborhood was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Our district was the first mid-century modern district in Louisiana to be listed.  Happy anniversary!

Celebration Photos and News

We celebrated in style with a great block party!  So many people from within the district and from the community enjoyed the morning.  We had great tours of the district on the A-Town trolley led by Paul Smith, preservation consultant; approximately 150 people had the opportunity to enjoy the guided tour, seeing the historic houses and learning of the architectural elements of the houses.   Self-guided walking tours were also available.  

Taking It 2 the Street provided outstanding entertainment by highly talented local artists

Young entrepreneurs provided lemonade and popcorn

Photos of the event - album
Article from The Town Talk - .pdf
Mayor Roy kicking off the celebration - video
Michelle Willis - Taking It to the Streets - video
Ashleigh Klein - Taking it to the Streets - video
Mackenzie Lynn - Taking it to the Streets - video

We thank the City of Alexandria, the Alexandria Historic Preservation Commission, Taking It 2 the Street and the talented performers, and all who helped make this celebration an event to remember!  We thank the residents of the historic district for preserving these very special homes.  We thank all who attended the event. 

Post-War Suburbs Celebration presented by the Alexandria Historic Preservation Commission

The celebration will recognize the listing of the Alexandria Post-War Suburbs Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. Residents of the district and the Alexandria community will be celebrating Louisiana’s first mid-century modern National Register historic district.  Be a part of it!

When:            Saturday, 7/13, 10 a.m. to noon
Where:          In the district gathering on Kimball Ave. near the corner of Madonna Dr.
Activities: 

• Welcome Remarks – The Honorable Jacques Roy, Mayor of the City of Alexandria
• Guided tours on the trolley bus departing about every 30 minutes (approx. 25 passengers). The route starts on Kimball near Madonna, then west on Madonna, south on Pierson, west on Elliott, north on Maryland, east on Pershing, and south on Kimball.
• Walking tours available – Self-guided throughout the district; brochures will be available or you may download.  For detailed descriptions of the houses on the tour, view or download here.   Use caution on streets.  Homes are not open; please do not go on properties.
• Entertainment – Taking It 2 the Street will host a ‘block party’ 
• News coverage - TV, radio, and newspaper

Coming to the celebration from outside the district?  To avoid congestion, consider parking outside the district as there will be trolley tours and self-guided walking tours within the district.  If driving into the district, consider turning from Texas Ave. on to Stimson Ave.


We expect to have traffic blocked (except to residents) in these areas:

• on Kimball from the corner of Pershing to around the corner of Madonna and Pierson
• on Elliott from Pierson to Maryland

View TV coverage from KALB-TV from July 5.

A-Town trolley

Banners in the District

 Today the city completed hanging ten banners around the district.  A few were hung on Friday, and it was pleasing to hear so many people comment about how nice they look and how meaningful it is to have this district listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Thanks to the Alexandria Historic Preservation Commission and the City of Alexandria for supporting the district in so many ways including these fine banners!

Stand by for an announcement in coming days about an upcoming celebration.

Compliments to those who made it happen!

Now that the Alexandria Post-War Suburbs Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, I want to thank and compliment some of those who made it happen.   The Alexandria Historic Preservation Commission (AHPC) has been so important leading the effort to prepare and promote the nomination.  I’ve had the opportunity to work with Megan Lord, Director of the AHPC; Joe Betty Sterkx, Chair of the AHPC, and Paul Smith who has provided historic preservation consulting to the AHPC.

Megan’s leadership has been so important throughout the process.  Through her and the fine members of the commission, what were several neighborhoods have now been recognized and brought together as this historic district.  The model that the commission followed to make this happen will be beneficial in the future to other historic areas in Alexandria.

Joe Betty’s energy and enthusiasm for preservation along with her humor and congeniality have benefitted residents as we were informed through community meetings during the nomination process.  As a result of Joe Betty’s urging participation from the neighborhood, Robert “Bubba” Jones along with my wife Judy and I volunteered to help in communicating between the AHPC and the residents of the neighborhood.

Paul’s expertise and belief in preservation have been quite beneficial as he has informed us about the important architectural elements that are so prevalent and unique to so many homes in the district.  The information he has shared about preservation tax credits creates awareness for homeowners of the benefits and opportunities to preserve our legacy.

The nomination for listing on the National Register was prepared for the AHPC by Donna and Jonathan Fricker.  They walked the neighborhood, analyzed records, and prepared the successful proposal.  We had the opportunity to hear Donna present to the State Review Board in Baton Rouge in March, resulting in unanimous approval.

It has been a great team resulting in a great achievement for this great city!
                                                                                      - Dave Curry

The Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places!

Today the Director of the National Park Service announced for the National Register of Historic Places that the Alexandria Post-War Suburbs Historic District was listed on June 6, 2013.  Read the announcement.

More information is available about the listing on National Register of Historic Places website. 

Let's celebrate Louisiana's first mid-century modern historic district!
(Mark the tentative date of July 13 on your calendar.  More to come.)

Photo credit:  Alexandria Historic Preservation Commission

Historic District Meeting - Monday, 4/22, 6 p.m.

Please join us for a neighborhood meeting to discuss the proposed historic district.
When:  Monday, 4/22, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Where:  Emmanuel Baptist Church, Fellowship Hall, 430 Jackson St.
               (Enter through door under covered parking)
Objectives:

• Update residents of the proposed historic district on progress and future opportunities
• Inform about tax credits and mid-century modern architecture
• Receive input from neighbors on historic district topics

Agenda:

•  Welcome, introductions, and meeting objectives
  Joe Betty Sterkx, Chair, AHPC 
• Historic District proposal – progress and expectations
  Megan Lord, Director, AHPC
• Tax Credits and Preservation
  Paul Smith, Historic Preservation Consulting
• Mid-Century Modern Architecture
  Paul Smith and Megan Lord
• Communications and resources
  Dave Curry, communicator for the proposed district    
• Potential activities, community input, Q&A           
  Bubba Jones and Dave Curry

This meeting is open to the public.

Historic District featured on KALB News

KALB Channel 5 discussed the proposed historic district on news at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. View these videos:

 

News at 5 including interview with homeowner Dave Curry

News at 6 including interview with homeowner James Brocato

Also today, Megan Lord, Director of the Alexandria Historic Preservation Commission, shared that the newly renovated home at 2822 Madonna Ave. has been honored with this month's Preservation in Progress Award.

Nomination approved by State Review Committee

Alexandria supporters with Committee Chairman, Mayor Lynn Lewis

The National Register Review Committee for Louisiana approved the nomination in Baton Rouge on 3/21/2013, so the Alexandria Post War Suburbs Historic District NR nomination is on its way to Washington, D.C. for approval by the Secretary of the Interior.  The national review is expected to occur in the next few months.

Delores Brewer, Director of Planning for the City of Alexandria, read a proclamation by Mayor Roy declaring March 21, 2013 as "Alexandria Post-War Suburbs Historic District Day".

Donna Fricker, as a preparer of the nomination, presented the nomination to the committee. 
(View an 11 minute video of the presentation.)

AHPC Preservation in Progress Award for March

The Alexandria Historic Preservation Commission presents their March 2013 Preservation in Progress award not to a single homeowner, but to an entire neighborhood, the area encompassing the proposed historic district!  This is a great honor for the residents of the proposed district.

Read about this in the March issue of the CENLA Focus.  It's on p. 76 of the issue. 
          

Follow AHPC on Facebook for updates