Echoes From The Attic and Poems, Taylor Log Cabin Home, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
Submitted to the USGenWeb Archives by Don Johnson, Jan. 2001
Typed by Belford Carver
Written by by Edna F. Campbell
Copyrighted by Edna F. Campbell
With special thanks to her family for permission to use her works.

************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
************************************************

PIONEER TRAITS REFLECTED

ANTIQUES, HEIRLOOMS AND BOOKS ADD CHARACTER TO LOG CABIN HOME

A picturesque log-cabin home located on 306 West Robert Street holds interest in 
both its legends of past and present history.  Poised in the heart of the westside 
residential section it has long been the object of tourist attraction and 
questions.  The age of the building, the foremost question, is best met with a 
brief  history of the original owners.  Records reveal that Dr. and Mrs. George O. 
Taylor  built the home almost 70 years ago.

The Taylors are said to have spent the mid-winter months at the Oaks Hotel (later 
changed to Casa de Fresa).  Impressed favorably with the surroundings, upon his 
retirement, they decided to build the log cabin home for their place of abode 
while in the south, and later as their permanent home.  Legend further states 
that Dr. Taylor started the first golf course in Hammond.

Dr. Taylor preceded his wife in death, and Mrs. Taylor is said to have died 
shortly after from a lingering disease.  The log cabin and property including 
furniture were willed to Mrs. Taylor's companion, Mrs. E. Godenough, Mary 14, 1920,  
by Mrs. Augusta Harpole (G.O.) Taylor.  (Mrs. Godenough was their housekeeper and  
a native of Prague.)  The next owners were the William Wannamakers and the present 
one is Mrs. Neil A. Cummings.

Mrs. Cummings, who said her late husband purchased the home for her upon her 
whimsical request for the desirable "homespun" type cottage, cherishes the setting.  
Her husband was also attracted to the place but died suddenly while the process of 
moving transactions were underway, and did not get to live there.

Mrs. Cummings has transformed the house into a setting combining the background 
charm of period furnishings with the comforts of modern living.  "When we purchased 
the four-room cottage, the structure was reminiscent of pioneer days with the 
rounded logs in twenty four foot lengths sealed together with clay and moss.  This 
had to be replaced with cement.  All of the walls were redecorated, a paneled sun 
room built, and a bathroom and kitchen completely remodeled. There was not a single 
cabinet in the house, and there were more nails etching the walls than I had ever 
seen.  There was much to be done."

Among the prize possessions in the home are a mahogany four poster bed, windsor 
chair and desks and bookcases lined with books of all types.  These treasures date 
back to boudoir furnishings when Mrs. Cummings was a bride.

An unusual grill-work French clock,  which had been the time piece of the late Mr. 
Cummings' grandparents, sounds the hours of the day for the present Mrs. Cummings 
while on an adjoining base, catching the eye is a handsome conversation piece, a 
teakwood jewelry case with carved etching.  Bisque figurines augment the decor.

As if defying the sturdiness of the perfectly-preserved pine logs left in exposure 
for effectiveness, in the reception rooms are the fragile Dresden, Haviland and 
other imported china plates suspended at vantage points

Oriental and handmade rugs partially cover the sanded floors to add a note of 
cheerfulness. Numerous whatknots laden with bric-a-brac and treasured keepsakes 
claim their share of attention.  Boasting seniority are brass candleholders on a 
desk, a family possession for over one hundred and fifty years.

The overall floor space of the home belies the small outward appearance.  A window 
view shows a patio-garden scene with white cast iron lawn chairs and table 
continuing the hospitable atmosphere.

(From ECHOES FROM THE ATTIC, II, 1967, by Edna Campbell.)

(Pic "Early American Home")