By Jessica Gorman

The Minden Hotel was demolished in 1956. It occupied the corner of Pine and Green Streets on the lot next to the American Legion Hall. Originally, it sat at the corner of Main and Pine. In 1930, that lot was purchased by Standard Oil Company for construction of a service station. The hotel building was moved back about 150 feet to the adjoining lot. The work to move the building began in December 1930 and continued into January.  

The original portion of the building was the home of John Chaffe. Mr. Chaffe immigrated to the United States from Devonshire, England in the 1830s. After spending some time in the Northeast, he found his way to Minden where he quickly became a successful businessman. His brother, Christopher, later joined him, building his home on the opposite end of town.

John Chaffe served in different capacities while living in Minden. When the town was first incorporated, he helped to survey the city limits. He also served as one of the first aldermen, holding the positions of treasurer and secretary. Mr. Chaffe was captain of a patrol company and a member of a committee of vigilance and police. During the Civil War, he served as a Confederate funding agent. He and his brother Charles later moved to New Orleans where they bought and sold cotton. In 1869, the Chaffes were living at the corner of Chestnut and Second Streets in the Garden District of New Orleans. Later, John Chaffe and his sons formed the partnership of John Chaffe & Sons which was in operation until shortly before his death in 1888. Mr. Chaffe also served as a member of the Louisiana Constitutional Convention.

While living in New Orleans, Mr. Chaffe remained an active partner in businesses in Minden such as Chaffe, Shea, & Loye and made regular visits to Minden. In October 1888, John Chaffe suffered an illness while visiting Minden and died. His body was returned to New Orleans for interment in the Chaffe family tomb. His funeral was conducted at Trinity Episcopal Church.

While I have not had an opportunity to pin down the chain of ownership of the property, the Chaffe home was later occupied by a Dr. Morgan. In the early 1900s, it was owned by Mr. E.L. Stewart and operated as a hotel. Under the ownership of the Stewarts, an addition and renovations were made to the building. It was managed by several different people, including Mrs. Stewart, over the years and was owned by Mr. H.L. Bridges at the time of its demolition.

(Jessica Gorman is the Executive Director for the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, Webster Parish Historian, and an avid genealogist.)