Genius Brothers Building
Jct. of 8th St. and 4th Ave., Kinder, LAThe Genius Brothers Building is locally significant in the area of commerce as a rare reminder of Kinder's historic role as a commercial hub.
The town developed in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as a small commercial center servicing nearby logging operations and local farmers. It was incorporated as a village in 1903 and as a town with a population of 1,088 in 1911. Growth began with the coming of the Kansas City, Watkins, and Gulf Railroad in 1890 and was spurred by a lumber boom in western Allen Parish which lasted into the 1920s. Kinder was not a lumber company town, nor did it participate significantly in the transport of timber to the sawmill boom town of Lake Charles. Its raison d'etre was trade and service for the local population. An exhaustively compiled local history describes over thirty businesses that flourished in Kinder during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These ran the gamut from confectioneries to livery stables, to rice field canal dredging, to dry goods, to soda bottling. There was also a theatre, a restaurant, a bank, a dentist, and several barbers and beauticians. The Genius Brothers Building was divided in two. One half contained the Genius Brothers Pharmacy and "modern" soda fountain while the other half contained the area's only men's clothing store.
Kinder's decline as a commercial hub began with the decline in the local lumbering industry in the later 1920s. In the period after World War II, the automobile made it possible for people to shop in other places. Most of the town's historic commercial buildings have disappeared. Today only seven remain, one of which (an old hotel) is in the process of demolition. As one of the survivors, the Genius Brothers Building is a significant reminder of Kinder's one-time local commercial preeminence. (For the record, the other buildings in town are also very basic commercial vernacular structures and are in a comparable state of integrity. The only one earlier than the candidate building is from 1914, and the others look to be from the 1920s. Also, the buildings in question do not group together to form a district.)
Local significance of the building:
The town developed in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as a small commercial center servicing nearby logging operations and local farmers. It was incorporated as a village in 1903 and as a town with a population of 1,088 in 1911. Growth began with the coming of the Kansas City, Watkins, and Gulf Railroad in 1890 and was spurred by a lumber boom in western Allen Parish which lasted into the 1920s. Kinder was not a lumber company town, nor did it participate significantly in the transport of timber to the sawmill boom town of Lake Charles. Its raison d'etre was trade and service for the local population. An exhaustively compiled local history describes over thirty businesses that flourished in Kinder during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These ran the gamut from confectioneries to livery stables, to rice field canal dredging, to dry goods, to soda bottling. There was also a theatre, a restaurant, a bank, a dentist, and several barbers and beauticians. The Genius Brothers Building was divided in two. One half contained the Genius Brothers Pharmacy and "modern" soda fountain while the other half contained the area's only men's clothing store.
Kinder's decline as a commercial hub began with the decline in the local lumbering industry in the later 1920s. In the period after World War II, the automobile made it possible for people to shop in other places. Most of the town's historic commercial buildings have disappeared. Today only seven remain, one of which (an old hotel) is in the process of demolition. As one of the survivors, the Genius Brothers Building is a significant reminder of Kinder's one-time local commercial preeminence. (For the record, the other buildings in town are also very basic commercial vernacular structures and are in a comparable state of integrity. The only one earlier than the candidate building is from 1914, and the others look to be from the 1920s. Also, the buildings in question do not group together to form a district.)
Commerce
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The Battle of New Orleans, fought on January 8, 1815, was one of the last battles of the War of 1812. It was a decisive victory for the United States, despite the fact that the war had officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814.
About Allen Parish
Allen Parish Timeline
Allen Parish, Louisiana has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Choctaw and Coushatta before the arrival of European explorers. The first Europeans to explore the region were French traders and trappers in the late 17th century. They established trading posts along the Sabine River, which served as an important transportation route.
In the early 19th century, the United States acquired the Louisiana Purchase, which included present-day Allen Parish. The area saw an influx of American settlers, and the region began to be developed for agriculture, particularly cotton and sugar cane. The city of Oberlin was established in 1848 and became the first permanent settlement in the parish. The Civil War had a significant impact on Allen Parish, with many residents serving in the Confederate Army and the Union Army. After the war, the region faced economic challenges, but agriculture remained a dominant industry.
Throughout the 20th century, Allen Parish experienced significant growth and development. Oil was discovered in the region in the early 1900s, leading to a boom in the local economy. The town of Oakdale became a center for oil production, and the industry brought jobs and prosperity to the area. In the mid-20th century, the construction of the Toledo Bend Reservoir on the Sabine River created a recreational haven and boosted tourism in the parish.
Today, Allen Parish continues to thrive as a vibrant and diverse community. Agriculture, particularly cattle farming and timber production, remains an important part of the local economy. The parish's rich cultural heritage is celebrated through events such as the Allen Parish Fair and the Cajun Music and Food Festival. With its beautiful natural landscape and strong community spirit, Allen Parish offers a glimpse into the past while embracing a bright future.
In the early 19th century, the United States acquired the Louisiana Purchase, which included present-day Allen Parish. The area saw an influx of American settlers, and the region began to be developed for agriculture, particularly cotton and sugar cane. The city of Oberlin was established in 1848 and became the first permanent settlement in the parish. The Civil War had a significant impact on Allen Parish, with many residents serving in the Confederate Army and the Union Army. After the war, the region faced economic challenges, but agriculture remained a dominant industry.
Throughout the 20th century, Allen Parish experienced significant growth and development. Oil was discovered in the region in the early 1900s, leading to a boom in the local economy. The town of Oakdale became a center for oil production, and the industry brought jobs and prosperity to the area. In the mid-20th century, the construction of the Toledo Bend Reservoir on the Sabine River created a recreational haven and boosted tourism in the parish.
Today, Allen Parish continues to thrive as a vibrant and diverse community. Agriculture, particularly cattle farming and timber production, remains an important part of the local economy. The parish's rich cultural heritage is celebrated through events such as the Allen Parish Fair and the Cajun Music and Food Festival. With its beautiful natural landscape and strong community spirit, Allen Parish offers a glimpse into the past while embracing a bright future.
Allen Parish Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Allen Parish, Louisiana.
- 1912: Allen Parish is established as a new parish in Louisiana.
- 1930s: The Great Depression causes significant hardships for Allen Parish residents.
- 1940s: World War II brings economic changes and increased employment opportunities to the parish.
- 1950s: The construction of Toledo Bend Reservoir begins, creating a new recreational area for Allen Parish.
- 1961: Toledo Bend Reservoir is completed, becoming a popular destination for fishing and boating.
- 1964: Allen Parish celebrates its 50th anniversary.
- Late 20th century: The parish experiences growth in industries such as timber and agriculture.
- 2000s: Allen Parish focuses on promoting tourism and preserving its natural resources.
- 2010s: The parish continues to develop its economy, education, and community services.