Garden City Louisiana

Garden City, Louisiana

Returning from Burns, I still had some "go" left. I decided to run by Garden City.
Coming from the east, past Centerville, on US 90, the four laned route across the bottom of Louisiana, you are presented with a chance to exit into a slower world of moss drapped oaks, beautiful bayous, small towns, and spectacular plantation homes which accent the living past of this area. No, they are not all monuments, but some working farms and private residences.

Entering Garden City, I saw the old store was opened. I made a u-turn and returned to just across the highway, waving my camera at the lady who was arranging the porch display. She waved back and this picture of La. history was taken. It is a great picture, not because of its quality, surely, but because of what it has captured. The old stores are disappearing with their owners and need to be preserved in whatever means we can.

The Garden City Store exemplifies the general store. The stock is reflective of the wants and needs of local consumers. It is a demographic picture of the area.

While I was there, three or four young ladies came in and browsed around. I don't know if they brought anything to the counter. There was talking back and forth between the owner and themselves. It was the loose talk of friends asking about your mom and so on. As they passed the counter on the way out, they each bought a piece of candy. A remark was made to me about these young ladies, late 20's to early 30's, knowing the history of the place since they had "partly" grown up in the store. I know that the candy was not the first piece they had bought, and hopefully, that tradition would continue for a long time.

The "air-conditioning" hung from the 12 foot (estimate) ceiling. The owner said it kept the place in the 70's. (estimate)

Customers buying candy from the counter, the first trick of merchandising.

The owner's daughter (the two ladies ran the place) knew the complete history of the town and the store. I could not keep up with all she was saying, I wished that I had brought a notebook, better yet, a recorder. So. much of what she related is lost (to me), especially at this late writing. She showed me the picture of the horse and buggy from the mid-1930's. It was taken in front of the Hanson Lumber Co.'s first office. It burned down. I think.

Above, left, is the picture of the old office building, and a roll of toilet paper. It was on the counter. I would guess it was there in case a sneeze would happen along. You know in Louisiana, allergies, mold etc., are our constant enemy. And, I would imagine there is a bit of dust in the old building. Thus, for patron and storekeeper, alike, the roll stands ready. This provision would not be found in Walmart.
Above right, is only an understatement of the "Tourist Info" available. You have to stop, especially since I told her I'd send you. Tell her the guy on the motorcycle that was flashing the camera around told you.

She gave me directions. Right next door is the "new" Hanson office building, built shorly after the old one burned. It is now a private residence. The owners may soon develope it into a bed and breakfast. Maybe.

Across the highway I turned down the road to be greeted with this picture. Not a bad street. Wait, I can't contain myself. It is just beautiful and only an example of how awing this area is.

The beauty, below left, was at the head of the street. I think it is sided with painted metal, resembling stone. I have seen this in other old homes and businesses. I may be mistaken. The house to the right is a "Dutch Cottage", as discribed by the storekeeper. It is the last of the lumber business's "worker's homes" along the road. The old fire hydrant probably was part of the "company town's" system.
This is speculation.

You can go back Home. There check out "Cypremort Pt." and "Down along the Coast" for more coastal rambling.

Or, you can see a lot more of the area

Travel down to Burns, the area's Gulf Getaway and see where I was before coming here.

Garden City is just a "sampler" of what the area has to offer. Start here and work your way west on 182. You will never forget it. See, after months I still remember quite a bit. Not an easy trick.

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