Historic House Hunt

09/04/2026

WHAT MAKES A CREOLE COTTAGE?

We use the term “Creole cottage” pretty often in Louisiana, but have you ever wondered what actually makes a house Creole?

2022 Polk Street in Alexandria gives us a great example of how this distinctly Louisiana form of architecture evolved.

Creole architecture wasn’t just about making a house pretty. Many of its features made homes better suited to life in Louisiana’s heat, humidity and damp climate.

Take a look at 2022 Polk:

🏡 The house is raised off the ground on brick piers.

🏡 A broad hipped roof extends over a deep front gallery porch, creating a shaded outdoor living space.

🏡 The ceilings inside rise to approximately 11 feet.

🏡 Transoms appear throughout the house, helping air move between rooms.

🏡 Interior rooms connect directly to adjoining rooms, another characteristic found in traditional Creole floor plans.

And then there's one of my favorite features.

Open the front door and you can look straight down the wide central hall, through the back door and onto the rear porch.

That central hallway is interesting historically. Earlier Creole cottages generally didn't have halls at all. As American architectural influences spread through Louisiana during the 19th century, traditional Creole features began mixing with the American preference for central-hall floor plans.

So this turn-of-the-century house tells a little architectural story of its own.

According to previous property history, the address appears on survey maps as early as 1903. The original house included the central hall and east side, with the west side and fireplace reportedly added around 1915.

More than a century later, you can still see evidence of how the house was built and how it evolved: heart-of-pine floors, original shiplap walls, tall transoms, a deep gallery, raised brick piers and even remnants of an earlier wood-shingle roof in the attic.

That's one of my favorite things about old houses.

Sometimes the architecture isn't just something to look at. If you know what you're looking for, it can tell you how people once lived.

📍 2022 Polk Street, Alexandria
Currently offered for sale by Heather Wise, Wise Real Estate Co.

08/29/2026

🏡 HISTORIC HOUSE HUNT: The Cinderella Tub at 2820 Marye Street 🛁✨

Every old house has something that makes you stop and say, “Wait…what is THAT?”

At 2820 Marye Street, it’s this.

Meet the Cinderella bathtub, one of my favorite surviving mid-century details in the house.

Cinderella tubs became popular in the postwar era, particularly in the 1950s and early 1960s, when American bathrooms were becoming more colorful, stylish and downright luxurious. Instead of the simple rectangular bathtub that had dominated bathrooms for decades, manufacturers began experimenting with sculpted tubs designed to feel more like a miniature soaking pool.

The Cinderella tub is recognizable by its wonderfully unusual shape: wide, curved and asymmetrical, with a built-in corner seat or lounging area. It gave homeowners a little touch of glamour without requiring the enormous bathroom we associate with today’s soaking tubs.

And they weren’t always white! Mid-century bathrooms embraced color enthusiastically- pink, turquoise, blue, yellow and other pastel fixtures were all part of the era.

That makes the white Cinderella tub tucked inside 2820 Marye especially interesting. Surrounded by simple white tile, it still gives you a glimpse of what homeowners considered a rather luxurious bathroom more than half a century ago.

Today, Cinderella tubs have become one of those quirky vintage features that preservation-minded old-house people get VERY excited about finding intact.

And this one is still here. ❤️

That is one of the things I love most about exploring 2820 Marye. The house doesn’t reveal all of its history at once. You find it in little places- a built-in bar, old cabinetry, unusual millwork…and apparently, in the bathtub.

Would you keep the Cinderella tub or replace it?

I already know my vote.
SAVE THE TUB. 🛁

📍 2820 Marye Street
Alexandria, Louisiana

08/14/2026

🏡 𝗔 𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗛𝗜𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝟮𝟴𝟮𝟬 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗬𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗧…

The more I dig into this house, the more interesting it gets.

In May 1947, 𝗟𝘂𝗹𝗮 𝗞𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿 married 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗝𝗿. at Christ Church Chapel in Alexandria.

Lula had spent 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗦 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝗿 𝗜𝗜 (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), the women’s branch of the U.S. Naval Reserve during the war.

Charles had an interesting background of his own. The Alexandria Daily Town Talk described him as a prominent young Alexandria businessman involved in 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 through C. M. Waters, Inc. He was also active in the insurance business and local civic organizations.

Just months after their wedding, the newspaper reported the newlyweds entertaining with a 𝗯𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗺𝗼𝘀𝗮 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲.

The article describes bright yellow chrysanthemums and other fall flowers throughout the reception rooms, with yellow and bronze chrysanthemums decorating the supper table.

That immediately caught my attention because 𝟮𝟴𝟮𝟬 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗺𝗼𝘀𝗮 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻.

The 1947 article doesn’t give a street number, so I can’t say with certainty that the party happened here- but later records leave no doubt that this became the Waters home.

And apparently, entertaining was part of life at 2820 Marye.

In 1952, the 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗯 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯 planned a tour of three Alexandria homes to study flower arrangements and table settings.

One of the stops was specifically identified as:

“the home of Mrs. Charles Waters, 2820 Marye Street”

where the ladies planned a table setting for a barbecue supper.

The 1954 Alexandria city directory also lists Charles M. Waters Jr. and Lou E. Waters at 2820 Marye, with Charles serving as president of C. M. Waters Inc. Real Estate and Fireside Commercial Life Insurance Company.

Mrs. Waters continued hosting the Green Thumb Garden Club at her home in the years that followed.

So naturally, I started wondering…

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝟮𝟴𝟮𝟬 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝟭𝟵𝟱𝟬𝘀?

I took the actual listing photographs and had some fun reimagining the rooms with period-inspired furnishings, including that wonderful little built-in bar tucked off the main entertaining space.

⚠️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝘀.

We don’t know exactly how the Waters family decorated the home. But the house itself, the newspaper accounts, and some of the surviving architectural details give us a pretty wonderful starting point.

Nearly 75 years later, I love getting to see this house as more than just square footage and bedrooms.

It was a place where people gathered, flowers filled the rooms, cocktails were poured, tables were set and, rather fittingly, one of its early owners was in the Alexandria real estate business himself. ❤️

📍 𝟮𝟴𝟮𝟬 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁 | Alexandria, Louisiana

Have a look at this property:

https://us.prospects.com/prospects/m.do?tk=f4728ea8dec0f1df7b811f729f0978d9

08/07/2026

Before it was a loft, it was H. H. McCann Hardware & Appliances.

There is so much history behind 1611 Washington Street.

By 1949, H. H. McCann Hardware was already being featured in The Alexandria Daily Town Talk, selling everything from Tempco floor furnaces and Norge appliances to sporting goods and everyday hardware.

The old newspaper advertisement described McCann’s as one of Alexandria’s leading hardware stores, located on Washington Street at the corner of Sixteenth, with plenty of room for customers to park.

City directories help us follow the business through the years. In 1954, H. H. Hardware & Appliances was listed at 1603–07–11 Washington Street, and by 1960, the directory listed McCann H. H. Hardware & Appliances at 1603–13 Washington.

Even better, in 1956, Hayden H. McCann appeared in the newspaper after winning a $1,000 national prize connected to a Gold Seal Congowall merchandising display. His Alexandria store was competing with dealers from across the country.

It makes you look at this building differently.

Today the exterior is painted its distinctive pale blue, and the dramatic metalwork at the entrance is a later addition. But imagine Washington Street in the 1950s, with this enormous commercial building filled with display windows showcasing refrigerators, ranges, heaters, tools, sporting goods and household supplies.

I created this historical rendering as an interpretation of what H. H. McCann Hardware & Appliances may have looked like in its prime. It isn’t meant to be an exact reconstruction, but it gives us a glimpse of the building in the era it was built to serve.

And now, more than 70 years later, 1611 Washington Street is looking for its next chapter.

Currently offered for sale at $699,000

What was once a substantial Alexandria retail operation has been transformed into one of the most unusual properties in Central Louisiana.

The building offers:

• Nearly 6,000 square feet of luxury residential loft space upstairs
• More than 10,000 square feet of warehouse, workshop and flexible-use space below
• 3 bedrooms | 2 full baths + 1 half bath
• Commercial zoning offering an incredible range of possibilities
• Soaring ceilings, oversized windows and expansive open living and entertaining areas
• Space suitable for a studio, creative headquarters, workshop, business operations, storage, fitness concept, automotive collection, event production or future redevelopment
• A property that has already hosted large gatherings, including A-Town Jazz, with room for approximately 200 guests

It could be a remarkable private residence.

It could be a creative live/work compound.

It could become the headquarters for a company, design studio, gallery, event concept or entirely new business.

Or perhaps someone will see a possibility none of us have thought of yet.

That seems appropriate for a building that has already reinvented itself once.

From H. H. McCann Hardware & Appliances to an extraordinary industrial loft, 1611 Washington Street has already lived several lives. The next owner gets to decide what comes next.

🔗 View the full listing and photos here:
https://us.prospects.com/prospects/m.do?tk=352ad0c28077d27d2be8a9fe6aaaf545

1611 Washington Street | Alexandria, Louisiana
Offered at $699,000

Heather Wise, Broker/Owner
Wise Real Estate Co.
318-229-7613
[email protected]
Licensed in Louisiana

08/07/2026

🚨 PRICE IMPROVEMENT! Now Offered at $260,000 🚨

If you’ve been dreaming about owning your own space instead of paying rent, this could be your opportunity.

This property could be an excellent fit for:
• Medical or surgical specialists
• Primary care practices
• Hair salons
• Medical spas
• Day spas
• Massage therapists
• Boutique retail
• Estheticians
• Wellness professionals
• Accountants, attorneys, insurance agencies, or other professional offices

With the recent price reduction to $260,000, owning may be more attainable than you think.

💰 Estimated owner-occupied payment: around $1,800-$2,100 per month, depending on your down payment, interest rate, taxes, insurance, and loan terms. That’s in the range of what many businesses are already paying in rent, except you’re building equity in your own property.

This is a unique building with flexible space, excellent visibility, and endless possibilities for your business.

📍 2129 Jackson Street, Alexandria

If you’ve ever said, “One day I’d love to own my own place,” this might be your sign.

Message me to schedule a private tour or to run the numbers for your specific situation.

Heather Wise, Broker/Owner
Wise Real Estate Co.
📱 318-229-7613
📧 [email protected]
Licensed in Louisiana

07/23/2026

🏡 NEW LISTING | Alexandria, LA ✨

If you’ve been dreaming of a true Southern estate, this one deserves a spot at the top of your list.

📍 900 N City Park Boulevard, Alexandria, LA
💲 $559,000
🛏️ 4 Bedrooms
🛁 3 Full Baths + 1 Half Bath
📐 Approximately 5,300 Sq. Ft.
🌳 Over an acre on the bayou

This home is packed with timeless character and modern updates, including:
✨ Grand Southern architecture with impressive curb appeal
✨ Chef’s kitchen featuring custom cabinetry, granite countertops, and a commercial-grade gas range
✨ Three fireplaces
✨ Beautiful restored original hardwood floors
✨ Private elevator in addition to the grand staircase
✨ Main-floor guest suite
✨ Spacious primary suite
✨ Outdoor kitchen perfect for entertaining
✨ Detached garage with workshop
✨ Newer roof, fiberglass shutters, awnings, and energy-saving solar panels

Homes like this don’t come on the market every day!

If you’re interested in seeing this incredible property, I’d love to represent you as your buyer’s agent and help you navigate the entire process: from scheduling a private showing to negotiating the best possible deal.

📞 Heather Wise
Wise Real Estate Co.
Cell: 318-229-7613
Office: 318-545-2133
Licensed in Louisiana

Listing courtesy of:
Katie Vanderlick
The Trish Leleux Group Real Estate Services
📞 318-792-1939

06/06/2026

And I saved the wildest one for last.

📍1611 Washington Street
💲699,000

This isn’t just a house.

It’s nearly 6,000 square feet of industrial loft living ABOVE more than 10,000 square feet of warehouse and flexible-use space.

✨ Soaring ceilings
✨ Massive open-concept living
✨ Live/work potential
✨ Event venue possibilities
✨ Studio space
✨ Workshop space
✨ Commercial zoning

This property has hosted A-Town Jazz events and can accommodate approximately 200 guests.

Want a luxury loft?
Want a business headquarters?
Want both?

There is literally nothing else like it in Central Louisiana.

Heather Wise
Wise Real Estate Co.
318-729-9543
Licensed in Louisiana

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

One of my favorite places to search is the Rapides Parish Library digital archives, especially old issues of The Town Talk.

Newspaper archives can help you find former owners, family stories, weddings, deaths, business connections, old ads, and little details that never show up in a deed record.

Sometimes researching a house means researching the people who lived there.

Follow for more old-house research tips.

Heather Wise, Broker/Owner
Wise Real Estate Co.
318-545-2133
Licensed in Louisiana