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July 7, 2002

Alexandria - Now, then and tomorrow

by Martin Close - Coldwell Banker White Real Estate

Having lived in Alexandria the better part of a century, I have seen some important and interesting developments in our real estate and commerce through the years.

I remember when most of our new home construction was frame with wood siding. Brick veneer construction was unusual. Ride through the Garden District and you will see for yourself.

The price of lumber was reasonable and local builders knew how to utilize it. There were many sawmills nearby and in Alexandria proper. Vast forest offered a ready supply of virgin pine and hardwood.

Leading real estate brokers were Hames Chambers, Ed Ellington, the Hustmyre Co. and others. Charles White, an employee of Red River Cotton Oil Co., decided his future laid in real estate and entered the field in the late 30's. He was instrumental in developing Charles Park and Cherokee Village as well as other areas. Dub Carruth built many houses during this period, as did other builders in the 40's and 50's.

During the years after World War II, local saw mills were "cutting out" their timber holdings and were closing their operations. This resulted in higher lumber cost and more costly houses. An example of older costs: Dr. Graham Stafford built the large family home on White St., which still stands today, for $10,000. "People said I was crazy to spend this much for a house," he told me at a much later date.

I remember when Jackson St. brick surfacing stopped at Hynson Bayou. From there to Texas Ave., then a rural road, it was gravel and dirt. It made for tough travel in the wintertime. It was paved at a much later date.

World War II changed our city and sub-divisions greatly with the building of MacArthur Dr., which was built to enhance the movement of military units through Alexandria and the central Louisiana area.

The Louisiana Highway Department and their engineers had the responsibility of design and construction. The location of the road caused much diverse opinion as to the best location of the right of way through Alexandria. The Department of Engineers wanted the road to come from the North Red River bridge to Texas Ave., and down the Texas Ave. right of way to Lee St.

My father, vice-chairman of the Louisiana Highway Department at the time, was called to make the final decision. He chose the Texas Ave. route because he owned property at the intersection of Texas and Jackson and felt it wasn't proper for a state official to benefit from locating a road along the property he owned. The engineers then proposed its present location, which was acceptable.

Where do we go from here for sustained growth?

Alexandria, at one time, was the major distribution point for a great deal of Louisiana. We had five railroads and a number of truck lines spreading out from here. The building of I-49 helped us greatly and four laning Hwy. 165 from I-10 to I-20 north to south and Hwy. 28 from the Mississippi line to Fort Polk and Texas will help Alexandria to again become the thriving, stable community it once was.

Active and interested citizens are working on these projects at this time.

The future will be bright for Alexandria and our posterity if we all work together to make good and improving things happen here.

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