Then and Now

Then and Now in Allen Parish

Then and Now

"Then and Now" is a project of the Allen Genealogical and Historical Society with the purpose of posting historical images of Allen Parish, and contrasting the image with a contemporary image taken at the same location.

(Turn cell phones to the side to see the comparisons of the Then and Now photos)

Photography is by Wanda Carole Wrinkle Ford from Wrinkle Ford Creative Arts II

Clicking on an image posted in "Then and Now" will take the viewer to the Photo Gallery, where all the pictures displayed on the "Then and Now" webpaged are posted.

Solicitations of Images

The Allen Genealogical and Historical Society solicits historical images of Allen Parish for publication on its "Then and Now" webpage. Interested contributors may submit images, along with identifying information, to: allenghs.contact@gmail.com

Then and Now

Then

Allen Parish Courthouse in Oberlin, LA

Built in 1912

This photo was taken in 1920.

The staff and security officers of the Courthouse graciously allowed me to obtain a copy of this photo for the Allenghs.com website .

Thank you for sharing a unique photograph of this historical building for everyone to admire and appreciate.

Restoration of the old photo-by Wrinkle-Ford Creative Arts II

Now

Then

Allen Parish Courthouse in 2019

At this time, the Courthouse is 107 years old

Recorded in the National Register of Historic Places in 1981

400 W 6th Ave, Oberlin, LA 70655

Then

Reeves Congregational Church

Founded by Rev. William Seth Baggett in 1933.

Bro. Baggett was well known for always thinking of others.

See the article on Rev. Seth Baggett in Crossroads, July 2019, Issue # 258.

Now

Then

The Family Place Church

The current church in the same location

408 Emma Ave, Reeves, LA

Could that be the same bell from the 1933 church bell tower?

Feel free to email us if you have a story about the bell!

at : contact.allenghs.com

Then and Now

Then

The Elizabeth House was built as a hospital in 1924

On Jan 18, 1985 it was added to the National Register of Historic places and is located at 230 Poplar St, Elizabeth, LA 70638

Now

Then

The Elizabeth House is presently the Town Hall and is suspected to be HAUNTED (See the Crossroads Newsletter Issue #246 (2013 2nd quarter)

Then

Oakdale High School, c 1950s

Building opened in 1923

Now

Then

Oakdale High School, 2019

The same beautiful 1923 building still stands along with many improvements. Way to Go, Oakdale, La.

Can you count the differences in the Then and Now?

Then and Now

Then

Oakdale Post Office, c 1940s

The historic post office in Oakdale, Louisiana was constructed in 1936 with U.S. Treasury Department funds

240 E 6th Ave, Oakdale, LA 71463

Now

Then

Oakdale Post Office, 2019

What changes and improvements can you identify?

Can you tell where the first building and new addition starts and ends?

Then

The Joy Theater is the first tall white building on the left side of the road. It was located on Main Street back then and today's 4th Street. This photo was probably taken in the 1940s.

Old timers say that they can remember going to the theater for "5 cents" to watch a movie. They said going to the theater with their friends was the highlight of their weekends.

Now

Then

In this photo, the Joy Theater is no longer standing because it burned down many years ago. The big green tree seen here on the left is where the theater once stood.

Notice how the stores down the street are basically the same structures on the outside as they were years ago, although some changes are visible.

Can you spot the changes on the buildings? Check out the vehicles.

Then and Now

Then

Street Scene, Kinder, LA, c 1942,. The Joy Theater from a different angle. There was no stock law in town and cattle could roam freely and graze on empty lots. (current 4th Avenue)

Now

Then

The Joy Theater (Also known as "The Show" or "The Picture Show") burned down and an empty lot is what is left beside the H & R Block Building as of 2019. (4th Avenue, Kinder, LA)

Then

Joe Sonnier Cities Service Station

Located on the Corner of 165 & 190, about 1936

Mr. Sonnier started his business here in the 30s . "Mr. Joe" always gave clergymen of all denominations free gas. He and his sweet bride had many happy memories building their newfound life, business, & family in Kinder, LA.

Now

Then

Tire Choice Auto Services

(The original location of the Cities Service Station)

The newest sign for this business was actively being put up today

on 12-27-2019.

It is located on 810 3rd Street (also Hwy 190)

(corner of 165 & 190).

Then and Now

Then

Reeves Louisiana High School 1st-12th grade

Early 1940's

Primary and Secondary School

Now

Then

Reeves High School is a primary and secondary school in Reeves, LA. The school serves approximately 300 students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. (August, 2019)

Then

St Paul Baptist Church was built in 1910.

In 1919, it doubled as the first African-American public school in Kinder. It was named Moorehead Public School until 1945.

The land was donated by Julius Captain and his wife Modiste Jacques.

The original bell still tolls in the bell tower. Inside are vaulted ceilings with a historic chalkboard on the front wall.

In 2005, it was placed on the

U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Now

Then

St Paul Baptist Church was built next to the original historic church/school and is located at

772 Hickory Flats Road in Kinder, LA.

Trev Talbert is the pastor as of 2019.

Located on the grounds is the Captain Cemetery.

Then and Now

Then

Now

This scene looking down 6th Street was taken from the steps of the Allen Parish Courthouse in Oberlin, LA 1949.

Notice all of the old cars and trucks from that era.

Near the front of the Courthouse, two gas stations were present--one on each side of the street.

The tallest building on the left down the road was the movie theater which no longer stands.

Now

This view was taken from the same location at the Allen Parish Courthouse in November 2019.

Notice how the styles of the cars have changed.

How many things can you see that are different?

Gas Stations? Movie theater? Fence? Veterans Memorial with flags? etc.

Then

Oakdale, LA, 10th Street

Taken around 1948

Now

Then

Oakdale, LA, 10th Street Scene

Photo taken in November 2019

Notice the changes in the buildings along with the vehicles.

Then & Now

Then

Reeves City Park ribbon cutting ceremony on April 16th 1998.

This park was constructed as an Eagle Scout project by the Reeves Troop 59 candidates: Michael Bonney, Blaine Burnett, and Jason McGee. It was under the direction of Wayne Bonney, Scoutmaster

Now

Then

Reeves City Park with colorful slides on beautifully placed in an area where children can play

Reeves City Park is a colorful and inviting spot for children to be outdoors in the sunshine laughing and interacting with family and other children in the City .

It is also a nice place for teens or adults to relax from busy schedules and take in nature for a while.

What a beautiful contribution from the Eagle Scouts of Troop 59 of Reeves LA.

Then & Now

Then

Kinder, LA, Main Street late 1940's

Now

Then

Kinder, LA, Fourth Street/Main Street

The building structures on the right still resemble the 1940's. I like the idea that my grandfather and grandmother probably saw these buildings pretty much as I see them today. (Minus the mud holes)

More to come soon!

Meet our dedicated Officers of the Allen Parish Genealogical and Historical Society

More pictures to come soon !

Please send your old photos of Allen Parish to our email allenghs.contact@gmail.com. They could possibly be published on the website.

Meet our dedicated Officers of the Allen Parish Genealogical and Historical Society

A team with a passion and commitment for researching genealogy and the history of Allen Parish, LA.

Meetings are at the Kinder Library every 1st Tuesday of the Month. Come and join us!

Then and Now

Then

Allen Parish Hospital was built in 1969 on Hwy 190 West in Kinder, La. It started with twenty-five beds . Five years later, thirty more beds were added better meeting the needs of Allen Parish residents. This is the plan for the hospital.

History of the hospitals

In 1946, when Dr. J.J. Storer and Dr. Gordon Buck started their practice in Kinder, it increased the need for a hospital nearby.

Mrs. Alma Cappell took this to heart and built the first small hospital on 9th St. in Kinder, La.

Agnes Kingrey, an experienced Registered Nurse, was the supervisor there until 1951 when she started a hospital of her own on 11th Street in Kinder. Her dedication to her profession made the small hospital one of the best in the area.

After Agnes Kingrey retired in 1966, the doctors and interested citizens started working toward another facility and this was the plan for it.

Now

Then

Allen Parish Hospital

108 N 6th St, Kinder, Louisiana, United States.

Up to 200 employees

Kinder, Louisiana

Allen Parish Community Healthcare is an acute and specialty care hospital that exists to provide premium quality health care services including outpatient and diagnostic services to residents and visitors of the tri-parish area of Allen, Beauregard, and Jeff Davis parishes.

Outpatient Services include:

Emergency Care, Laboratory, Cardiopulmonary, Radiology, Rural Health Clinic, Specialty Clinic, Cardiology, Physical Therapy and Home Health

Inpatient Services include:

Acute Care, Behavioral Health Unit, Telecardiology, Skilled Nursing Care

New Vision: Inpatient Medical Management of Substance Abuse

Photo taken Jan 2020

Then

Pierre Nevils General Merchandise Store

Kinder LA 1914

Pierre Nevils and his wife, Eleanor Buller Nevils built their store around 1904 on the west side of South 8th street.

Their store was larger than the previous merchandise stores and offered a variety of commodities including ice (according to the book, Looking Back at Kinder by Ethelinda J Andrus and Grace H. Cornish.)

Nevils' building also housed the first post office in Kinder.

The store serviced the needs of the people in Kinder along with the surrounding areas until it burned down.

Now

Then

Christ Praise & Worship Center

It once was the First United Pentecostal Church of Kinder and it was built where Pierre Nevils' General Merchandise once stood.

In the year of 1914, the Pentecostal religion first came to Kinder.

Many people accepted the faith and gathered to worship.

The people were congregating in an old warehouse to have services.

Baptismal services were held at the river.

Elder Pierre Nevils saw the need for a larger meeting place and donated the land where his store once stood. They built this building that still stands today.

An interview with Chester Bushnel of Kinder revealed that this building was from an Air Force Base Chapel in Alexandria that was sold in auction. The church was taken apart and reassembled in Kinder.

The first permanent pastor was Rev. B. L. Clark who came in 1934 and remained as pastor for fifty years. The church building was later sold to the

Christ Praise & Worship Center a Full Gospel Church

213 N 8th St

Kinder, LA 70648

Then & Now

Then

Willis Lormand married the young widow Ellen Nevils Fontenot in 1915. She was Pierre Nevils' daughter.

Willis became a successful business man and leader in his community mostly because he genuinely liked people.

His first store was on main street where he sold everything from groceries to clothes. He rented the building from his father-in-law.

Later, World War II made it very hard on merchants because supplies were short. He sold his stock and closed the store on Main Street. However, he subsequently opened this new hardware store that is in this photo.

This black and white photo appears to be taken in the 1940's on the corner of 5th and 9th street in Kinder.

Now

Then

The present building still resembles the one in the picture from the 1940s. It now houses apartments with the entries on 9th Street.

Notice the front top of the building. It still has the same shape that it did back then. I can visualize where Willis Lormand's name was displayed.

Satellite dishes hanging off of this building were non-existent back then. Television sets were just getting introduced at the 1939 World's Fair, but most people were only listening to the radio in the early 1940's. How times have changed!

The house on the left side still appears to be just like it did when it was built. A few changes include the addition of window covers, the fence has been removed.

The vehicle styles have also changed.

This Google maps photo was taken in 2019.

Then

Share your old photos and stories with the genealogy team on the first Tuesday of the month or email them to us allenghs.contact@gmail.com

We can now accept negatives also.

Now

Then

Allen Parish Photo Gallery

This is an original receipt from the Pierre Nevils Store.

It is dated May 29, 1914.

This is the first brick building that was built by John T. Jordan in 1912 on Main Street in Kinder. It was opened as a grocery store.

First bank in Kinder-Calcasieu Trust and Savings. It was located at 4th Ave &165.

It also housed the Post Office.

Missouri Pacific Railroad Station in Kinder.

Soldiers caught the train from here to the base. Many happy reunions of loved ones coming home along with sad goodbyes occurred at this one location. It was bitter sweet!

Mural in Oakdale LA that is beautifully detailed.

The Mural is titled --A Glimpse Back from 1890-1925.

What a masterpiece!

This street is 4th Street in Kinder.

The first white building on the left is the Joy Theater which burned down. The other buildings on the left still stand today in 2020. The fourth building down the street (also a white building) was the Cappell Pharmacy. It was located at 904 4th Street and has now been renovated and is called Kinder Family Pharmacy 2020.

This photo was taken around the late 1940s

Welcome to the Allen Genealogical and Historical Society

Then and Now in Allen Parish

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