Heard, J. W., House
605 Cherry St., Bernice, LAThe J. W. Heard House is of local significance in the area of architecture because it is one of a limited number of landmark structures in Union Parish.
Union is a piney woods parish that has been largely characterized by Upland South settlement and relatively small-scale agriculture. There was also some lumber-related development in the early twentieth century. All of this has left the parish with a comparatively modest architectural patrimony, as is shown in the Comprehensive Historic Structures Survey. This survey has identified some 371 50+ year-old buildings in the parish, most of which are bungalows, double pen houses, extremely conservative Queen Anne Revival cottages, or ordinary commercial buildings. Less than a dozen structures can be said to be landmarks either because of their age or architectural styling. With its Queen Anne massing and boldly articulated Colonial Revival gable and gallery treatment, the J. W. Heard House is one of these rare landmarks.
Local significance of the building:
Union is a piney woods parish that has been largely characterized by Upland South settlement and relatively small-scale agriculture. There was also some lumber-related development in the early twentieth century. All of this has left the parish with a comparatively modest architectural patrimony, as is shown in the Comprehensive Historic Structures Survey. This survey has identified some 371 50+ year-old buildings in the parish, most of which are bungalows, double pen houses, extremely conservative Queen Anne Revival cottages, or ordinary commercial buildings. Less than a dozen structures can be said to be landmarks either because of their age or architectural styling. With its Queen Anne massing and boldly articulated Colonial Revival gable and gallery treatment, the J. W. Heard House is one of these rare landmarks.
Historical Note
The J. W. Heard House was constructed in 1904, only five years after the founding of Bernice in 1899. Builder Jacob T. Crews constructed the structure along with many of the town's other early homes. First owner Joseph Heard moved his business from Shiloh, four miles east of Bernice, as did many others when Bernice was born as a result of the railroad and a fire that destroyed much of Shiloh. Heard established J. W. Heard and Brother general merchandise store, as well as a store in Junction City. He was also a brother of Louisiana Governor William Wright Heard, who served from 1900-1904. The house remained in Heard's family's hands until 1967. It then had three other owners before being purchased by the Patton family in 1991. Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
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.
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Louisiana was a slave state before the American Civil War, and the state played a significant role in the Civil War. The Battle of Port Hudson, which took place in Louisiana in 1863, was the longest siege in American history.
About Union Parish
Union Parish Timeline
Union Parish, located in the northeastern part of Louisiana, has a rich and diverse history dating back to the early 19th century. It was officially established in 1839, carved out of neighboring Ouachita Parish, and named after the hope for a unified nation following the Civil War. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, such as the Ouachita, Tensas, and Choctaw tribes, before European settlers arrived.
One of the earliest notable settlements in Union Parish was Shiloh, established around 1813. The town became an important trading post for the surrounding region and played a significant role during the Civil War. It was the site of the Battle of Shiloh, where Confederate forces clashed with Union troops in 1864, resulting in a Confederate victory.
In the late 19th century, the discovery of natural resources, particularly timber and oil, played a pivotal role in the development of Union Parish. The timber industry thrived, attracting numerous logging companies and sawmills to the area. Large tracts of virgin pine forests were harvested, and lumber became a major economic driver for the parish.
Oil was also discovered in Union Parish in the early 20th century, leading to an oil boom that fueled the local economy. Companies like Lou-ann Oil and Cypress Valley Oil played a significant role in the parish's oil production. The growth of the timber and oil industries brought an influx of settlers and immigrants to Union Parish, including workers from various regions of the United States and Europe.
Today, Union Parish is a thriving community that cherishes its natural beauty and historical roots. It is known for its abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, including fishing, hunting, and boating on Lake D'Arbonne. The parish also celebrates its history through cultural events and museums, such as the Union Museum of History and Art, which showcases artifacts and exhibits that reflect the diverse heritage of the area.
One of the earliest notable settlements in Union Parish was Shiloh, established around 1813. The town became an important trading post for the surrounding region and played a significant role during the Civil War. It was the site of the Battle of Shiloh, where Confederate forces clashed with Union troops in 1864, resulting in a Confederate victory.
In the late 19th century, the discovery of natural resources, particularly timber and oil, played a pivotal role in the development of Union Parish. The timber industry thrived, attracting numerous logging companies and sawmills to the area. Large tracts of virgin pine forests were harvested, and lumber became a major economic driver for the parish.
Oil was also discovered in Union Parish in the early 20th century, leading to an oil boom that fueled the local economy. Companies like Lou-ann Oil and Cypress Valley Oil played a significant role in the parish's oil production. The growth of the timber and oil industries brought an influx of settlers and immigrants to Union Parish, including workers from various regions of the United States and Europe.
Today, Union Parish is a thriving community that cherishes its natural beauty and historical roots. It is known for its abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, including fishing, hunting, and boating on Lake D'Arbonne. The parish also celebrates its history through cultural events and museums, such as the Union Museum of History and Art, which showcases artifacts and exhibits that reflect the diverse heritage of the area.
Union Parish Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Union Parish, Louisiana.
- Prehistoric times: Native American tribes inhabited the area that is now Union Parish.
- 1803: The Louisiana Purchase brings the territory under U.S. control.
- 1839: Union Parish is established as a separate entity from Ouachita Parish.
- Late 1830s-1840s: Settlers begin to migrate to the area, primarily from the Southern states.
- 1852: The first courthouse is built in Farmerville, the parish seat.
- 1861-1865: Union Parish, like much of the South, is affected by the American Civil War.
- Early 20th century: Agriculture, primarily cotton and timber industries, drives the economy.
- 1920s-1930s: The Great Depression and boll weevil infestation hit the area hard.
- 1962: Lake D'Arbonne State Park is established, providing recreational opportunities.
- 2005: Hurricane Katrina devastates Union Parish, causing widespread damage.