By Jessica Gorman
The Bridges-McKellar Mansion is a historic home on Oakland Street in Shreveport, also known as Theodosia. It was the home of Shreveport’s 31st mayor, Reuben Neil McKellar, and his wife, for whom the house is named. So, what does a house in Shreveport have to do with our local history? R. N. McKellar was married to a daughter of Minden, Miss Theodosia Hamilton.
While Theodosia was not born in Minden, her family moved here when she was still a young child. Her father was Dr. D. B. Hamilton, a revered citizen of Minden. In 1859, he purchased the home at 614 Lewisville Road but only owned it for a short period of time.
Theodosia’s grandparents were Major William Hamilton and Elizabeth Bryan. The Hamiltons were among those who owned plantations west of Bayou Dorcheat. Their children included Mary Bryan Hamilton Hodges, Penelope Hamilton Chaffe, William Elisha Hamilton, and Jennette Virginia Hamilton. Penelope married English immigrant and Minden merchant, John Chaffe. They moved to New Orleans where he was prominent in the cotton trade. William Elisha Hamilton, moved to Shreveport. His son, William Everard Hamilton, was a developer of Hamilton Trace in Shreveport and Hamilton Street is named for him. He also owned the Hamilton Oil Mill which was originally located in Shreveport but later moved across the river to Bossier City. Hamilton Road takes its name from the oil mill.
Theodosia Hamilton married Reuben Neil McKellar on Valentine’s Day 1882. The following appeared in the Bossier Banner.
“Metaphorically speaking, the marriage bells rang out merrily in Minden on the
morning of the 14th – St. Valentine’s Day – in celebration of the wedding of our
young townsman, Mr. R.N. McKellar and Miss Theo. Hamilton. Doubtless if the
young men of Minden had had the matter in hand the bells would have been tolled
rather than permitted to peal forth notes of joy. The fair bride is a daughter of the
venerable Dr. D.B. Hamilton, of Minden, and sister of Mr. W. B. Hamilton, Mrs. Mary
E. Cosby, and Mrs. S. M. Morrison. It is no idle compliment to say that she is well
worthy the relationship to these estimable people, and that she is among the very
loveliest of her sex. Beautiful, accomplished and with all the gentleness and graces
that adorn a woman, she is indeed a jewel beyond all price; and our young friend
should never cease to return thanks to the Boy-God, through whose instrumentality
he brought her down while towering in her pride of place.
The happy bridegroom is one of our cleverest young men and most successful
merchants, and will no doubt prove worthy the prize he has won.”
McKellar was a cotton factor and became mayor of Shreveport in 1896. His father was Edwin Daniel McKellar. After the death of his first wife, E. D. McKellar married to Jenette Virginia Hamilton, sister of Dr. D. B. Hamilton, making her both aunt to Theodosia Hamilton and step-mother to R. N. McKellar.
The McKellar home was garnered much attention due to the desire of so many to see it restored. To this day, that has not happened. The details surrounding construction of the home seem to be somewhat in question. Generally, it has been dated to the late 1800s. Some sources give 1885 as the date of construction. However, in 1909, multiple mentions are made in the Shreveport Journal, at that time owned by W. E. Hamilton, of the new McKellar residence being constructed on Oakland Street. The home was said to be built of concrete just as the Bridges-McKellar Mansion is constructed of concrete block. The home is thought to be the first in Shreveport to feature air conditioning.
Theodosia Hamilton McKellar died 1 April 1935. She is buried in Oakland Cemetery near her former home.
(Jessica Gorman is Executive Director of the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, Webster Parish Historian, and an avid genealogist.)