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!

Save the Dairy Barn Fundraiser

It's not post-war and it's not mid-century, but the Dairy Barn on the property of the Central Louisiana State Hospital overlooking Buhlow Lake is certainly worth saving.  If you can attend this event, you are encouraged to register early as seating is limited.  Doors will open at 6 p.m. and beverages and cheese will be served as folks gather.

 

What – Save the Dairy Barn Fundraiser

When – Tuesday, August 30 at 6:30 p.m.

Where - BrainSurge, 1260-G Texas Avenue, Alexandria 
(between Wildwood Pizza and Sylvan Learning Center)

Registration encouraged – seating is limited - www.brainsurge.biz/register

Cost - $12 (proceeds to Save the Dairy Barn Fund at Central Louisiana Community Foundation)

 

Dave Curry and Nathan Martin of the Save the Dairy Barn at Buhlow Lake Committee will provide an informative program you don’t want to miss.  Most everyone in CENLA is aware of the old Dairy Barn, an historic icon atop the hill on the property of the Central Louisiana State Hospital overlooking Buhlow Lake in Pineville.  But do you know the history of the barn, its current condition, progress, plans, and challenges to preserve it?  What may be the future of the barn?  Learn some answers and share dreams and ideas of what it could become.

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

Selling your mid-century house?

You should read this great blog on the subject.

Fred Barksdale Architecture

One of the great local architects, Fred Barksdale, designed two homes in the Post-War Suburbs, the exceptional contemporary house at 2829 Elliott and the quite unusual house at 3016 Elliott, with its great curving wall.


 

2829 Elliott

3016 Elliott

You may want to be a part of a very special function being sponsored by the Historical Association of Central Louisiana on 4/9/2016 for a one time only tour of the notable home of Harold Poole in Forest Hill. This nationally acclaimed home is the final work of the late Fred Barksdale.  Click here for more information.

For more information



Beyond the Bayou - January 2015

Here’s a little history about the development of the neighborhoods that are included in the Alexandria Post-War Suburbs.  Most of the following has been extracted from the narrative of the registration form resulting in the 2013 listing of the district on the National Register of Historic Places.

As is typical of post-World War II subdivisions, any given house is located roughly in the middle of the lot with a broad expanse of lawn in the front. The large lots with ample front lawns epitomize the escape-from-the-crowded-city concept that was much a part of the suburban rationale. In terms of designed landscape features, there are a notable number of period low planter boxes built of the same brick as the house.

City directories reveal the pace of construction in the district. In the immediate post-war years, twenty-three houses were built. Clearly the period of intense construction was 1951-56, when half of the district's houses were built. Roughly one-fourth were built in the late 1950s/early 60's.

If your home is in the Post-War Suburbs and you have a story to share, please email me at info@midcenturyalex.org 

Beyond the Bayou - December 2014

December is a busy month, but more importantly, it is a special month.  The community and our lives are full of activities.  It is the time of Hanukkah - celebrating the Festival of Lights, and Christmas - celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.  It is a time of sharing, giving, and bringing families and friends together.

Let us enjoy our neighborhoods, let us enjoy those who are in our lives, let us share, let us be thankful.  From our house to yours, may your Hanukkah and Christmas be very special.

Dave and Judy Curry

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.