Chennault House History
 Submitted by Mrs. Gladys Lane
 

  


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 The Chennault House located east of Rayville in Richland Parish, Louisiana
  was begun in 1920 by Mr.Guy Graham, a mill man, on land purchased that year 
  from Mr. W.L. Calhoun, Sr. ET AL. Bricks used in the construction were made
  in the Rayville Brick yard owned by Mr. W.T. Cook. Mill hands were used in
  building the French Planter Style home,

  Before the house was completed Mr.Graham's business failed. In 1927 Mrs. Elvina 
  Davison Chennault, wife of Mr.W. Chris Chennault, purchased the unfinished home 
  and approximately 24 acres of land at a Sherrif's sale for $8,100.00. They 
  closed in a carriage entrance and poured a concrete floor in the basement.

  After Mr. Chennault's death in 1939 the house was rented as a residence,a night
  club and later as a storage for animal food. After Mrs. Chennault's death in
  1959 the property was purchased by Mr. Lamar W. Lane, Sr.(1961). He restored and 
  moved into the home with his growing family. The Lanes enclosed two back porches 
  for kitchen and utility rooms. Closets and electrical wiring was installed.
  
  Many walls of the house are 13" solid brick with tapered brick footings. Railroad 
  tracks and steel girders were used in the original construction.Daniel D.Lane 
  purchased the property in 2000.
  
  Mr.Chennault was a relative of General Claire Chennault of "Flying Tigers" fame-
  thus the name "Chennault House" has endured.