By Jessica Gorman

The home located at 508 Fort Avenue is thought to be the oldest house in Minden. It is referred to as various combinations of the names of its owners over the years but primarily, Bates, McDonald, Fort, Fogle, Irving, and Love. It is said to have been built in 1845 by Col. William Bates. However, Bossier Parish probate records reveal that, according to his son, Richard, Col. Bates died 3 August 1844. Andrew Lawson testified in February 1845 that Col. Bates had lived in Minden “during the summer and early part of the fall” and had died. Obviously, if built by Col. Bates, this brings the date of construction into question and would make the house a little bit older than we think. 

The will of Col. Bates was written in 1836, before his move to Louisiana and while he was still a resident of Amite County, Mississippi. It includes instructions for the division of his property among his heirs and that any remaining property not specified be sold. Clearly, as he did not own it at the writing of his will, his property in Minden was not included and was sold to settle his estate. That property was purchased by Nelson Scott, probate judge for Bossier Parish, and W. C. Copes, clerk of court for Claiborne Parish. 

In 1850, Scott and Copes sold the property to W. C. Maples and Dr. John R. Evans. The record reveals the presence of “buildings and improvements” on the property. Mr. Maples and Dr. Evans were wealthy planters of Bossier Parish. Dr. Evans reveals in a letter published in the Bossier Banner 21 October 1859 that W. C. Maples had decided to move to Minden solely for the purpose of access to good schools for the education of his children. Maples was married to the only daughter of Dr. Evans. As such, Dr. and Mrs. Evans also decided to move to Minden to live with their daughter and grandchildren. Both Maples and Evans maintained their plantations in Bossier Parish during the time they resided in Minden. Mrs. Evans and a granddaughter died during this time and are buried in the Minden Cemetery. Dr. Evans and the Maples family returned to Bossier Parish and sold their home in Minden. 

The property was sold to J. W. McDonald in January 1860. His wife, Almedia, was the stepdaughter of W. A. Drake. Mr. McDonald was a lawyer and a wealthy planter. Ownership of the home passed to daughter, Lillian Pearl Fort, and remained in the family until it was sold in 1919 to W.R. Fogle, Jr. 

Mr. Fogle had the house remodeled. In addition to necessary repairs, electricity and plumbing were added to the home. The dormers were added and the attic converted into bedrooms. The detached kitchen was moved to its current location and converted into a livable space. Ownership of the house passed to Redrick B. Fogle in 1982 and then to John and Frances Irving in 1989. Mrs. Irving, now Mrs. Love, still resides in the home.

Obviously, there are questions about the early history of this house. This is true for many of the historic homes in Minden. Unfortunately, there is very rarely direct documentation of their construction. We are often forced to make a best guess based on the bits and pieces of available of information. Sometimes, the accepted histories of these homes include misinterpretations that have been accepted as fact and perpetuated for decades. Determining the most accurate story requires careful examination of the records, going beyond the transfer of the property itself. As evidenced by the probate record of Col. Bates, we must look closely at the lives of the people who owned these properties.

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