By Jessica Gorman

Jacqueline Park is one of several parks for which we must primarily thank the ladies of Minden. It was through their work that this system of parks, for which Minden became known, was created and developed. Jacqueline Park, located at what was once the entrance to the city, has welcomed visitors to Minden for decades, just as the lady for whom it was named. 

It was decided in 1914, at a meeting of the Civic Club, that the park would be named Jacqueline Park, in honor of Mrs. Jacqueline Taylor. Affectionately known as “Aunt Jack,” Mrs. Taylor operated the Taylor Hotel that was located across the street from the park. The hotel was originally built as the home of John Langdon Lewis and had served as a hotel since the 1870s under the management of multiple owners. Aunt Jack had previously operated her hotel, in what had originally been the inn owned by the Chaffes, on the other side of town.  

The Taylor Hotel was a favorite among traveling salesman. Aunt Jack “was known far and wide over the south for her kindness and good meals.” She kept her prices low and made no great fortune from her business. It was reported that travelers would pay more than she charged telling “her that was the price they wanted to pay.”

In 1911, this description was given of her. “She gets up with the chickens and goes to bed with the owls, serves on average of a hundred meals a day and tends to every detail of her hotel.” She seems to have also been regarded for a no-nonsense personality. “She was plain spoken, said what she thought, said it with little regard as to the results.” She was know to “bless” someone out when they needed it and yet was remembered for her kindness and hospitality. She was so well-known and admired that the Shreveport Journal considered her name “almost canonized.”

In April 1916, the Shreveport Equal Suffrage League paid a visit to Minden to meet with the Minden Equal Suffrage League and “dined at the famous hotel.” The ladies spent the day visiting in the various homes of the hostesses and places around town, but the meal at the Taylor Hotel “was the feature of the day.” 

Jacqueline Park was the fourth park developed by the Civic Club. At one point it included a tennis court. The Park Miniature Golf Course, operated by R. R. Adams, was opened there on 13 June 1930. The park was severely damaged by the tornado of 1933. In response, the Woman’s Department Club planted 500 trees all across town, including Jacqueline Park, to replace those damaged by the storm. In January 1934, permission was requested and given for the building of a “girl’s scout camp and cabin” in the park. However, the following month, it was decided to instead build the cabin at Victory Park.

In 1969, Jacqueline park was threatened when it was considered as a location for a new fire station. As evidenced by a letter to the editor written by Mrs. Paul M. Campbell, the women of Minden came to the defense of the park and plead the case that it should not be lost to progress. 

The Bicentennial celebration of 1976 included improvements to Jacqueline Park. The bandstand, or gazebo, was added as a reminder of the one that had stood in City Park. In addition, brick walkways, additional flower gardens, benches, and a sundial were added. The bricks used for these projects had been removed from Broadway the previous year. In October, a time capsule was buried in the park. This is the capsule that was inadvertently dug up during the most recent improvements to the park. 

Jacqueline Taylor died at the age of 90 on 8 July 1930 at her home. On that day, “North Louisiana lost one of its most widely known hotel proprietors, and a woman who had endeared herself to the hearts of thousands of persons who had the good fortune to be at one time or another a guest of her hotel.” It was said that she “left a name that will live on after many of us who now live have passed on and been forgotten.” As evidenced by the park that bears her name, they were right. Her name lives on nearly a century after her death. 

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