Historic Places: George Parker Long Home, 1982, Winn Parish, LA. Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: October 20, 1982 Winn Parish Enterprise Long House Listed On National Registry The history that surrounds us is sometimes the hardest to see when we begin to look back. Those things we see every day become less historical in nature and more taken for granted each time we pass by. One place in Winnfield we look at but hardly ever see is the George Parker Long Home at 1401 Maple. The house was built between 1905 and 1907, but is just being recognized for its historical and architectural significance. The house was recently entered into the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register is dedicated to the preservation of the nation's irreplaceable historical, archaeological and historical sites. The house was built by George Parker Long and remained in the Long family until 1977 when it was purchased by Dr. and Mrs. Randy Williams. It was largely through the efforts of Mrs. Williams that the house was placed on the historic register. It is a long process to have something added to the National Register. The house must be at least 50 years old and must be structurally intact. Mrs. Williams had to research the history and architecture of the house. State preservationists must first approve the house. Forms must be filled out and research must be submitted. Then it is presented to the state's National Register Review Committee. If approved there, it is then submitted to the National Committee. Mrs. Williams said she has always been interested in history and old homes and started to research the Long House about a year after they bought it. She added it was a house with so much character. The house was built by George Parker Long, who played a major role in the history of Winn Parish in the early 1900s. Long started a mercantile business in Winnfield in 1884 and operated it for seven years before going into the real estate business. In the 1900 parish rolls, Long was listed as the owner of 2,300 acres and at one time owned or operated 48 dwellings in Winnfield. He was one of the largest shareholders in the Bank of Winnfield and served as president of the bank from 1902 to 1907. He also served one term on the town council. The Long House is even more significant for it's architectural design. It is a rare example of colonial Queen Anne architecture with some modifications. The basically rectangular house is raised off the ground on brick pillars and heavy pine timbers form the sills for the base of the house. The exterior walls of the house are covered with heart pine weatherboard. The roof was originally a slate one, but has been replaced with a modern shingle roof. Thirteen white Doric columns on high pedestals enclose the wide front gallery which extends around the entire front half of the house. On the second story, large Dormer windows connected by a recessed gallery, call attention to the gabled roof, one of the most outstanding features of the house. A balustrade was added to the upper galleries after the house was completed. Inside, the house has a large central hall, with a staircase at one end. Down one side of the hall are the bedrooms. The other side has a parlor, dining room, kitchen, and pantry. The floors are of varnished heart pine, the walls were of bare pine board covered with wall paper, and the ceilings are 12 feet high. The upstairs also has a wide central hall, with an alcove and bedroom on each side. The hallway opens onto the small recessed upper gallery. All door knobs and hinges in the house are of solid brass and all doors are topped with transoms to provide good circulation of air in the house. The architect and builder of the house are said to have been from Monroe, but no one remembers exactly who they were. Mrs. Williams said they have started on the restoration of the house and are trying to make it as close to the period it was built as possible. She added the house was structurally sound, but wiring and plumbing need replacing. She added it was much easier to find items needed for the restoration because more people are beginning to restore holder houses. The George Parker Long house is just part of the history of Winn Parish that surrounds us.