The property at 503 East & West has had twelve owners
since 1873. The original land owner is listed as D.
Stewart in Book # 1 of the tax rolls. 1880 W.E. Lindsay
is listed as the purchaser of the land from the Stewarts
and the homes first owner, 1884 W.A. Lindsay listed in
Book #4, 1886 M.F. Tompkins Book #10 pg. 354, 1905 Sam
Webb (President of Minden Cotton, Oil & Ice Company)
Book #14 pg. 273, 1906 James Pennington is listed as
owner, 1937 Maude Archibald Gear is listed on the tax
roll, 1946 Donald Goodwill, 1970 W.R. Lunsford then the
house was sold to August Zeitz (Fanette Hodges parents),
in the 90’s the home is sold to Donald Kennedy (Donald
is responsible for opening up the attic space and
turning it into a bedroom suite), in 2000 the home was
purchased by James and Marsha Croad. The Croads are
parents to three children. The Croads grew up in
Buffalo, New York in the same neighborhood and went to
the same high school. In August of 2000 the Croad family
came to Louisiana. They looked for a small, quaint
community to live in and fell in love with Minden and
the older historic homes. Having lived in England, they
had acquired a large collection of antique furniture and
collectibles. They needed just the right home to show
off their beautiful antiques. They found just what they
were looking for with the 1880 home. After a few
renovations and personal touches, they have made Minden
their home. They now are enjoying small-town life in
Louisiana. They have a love for old Gramophones and hope
you enjoy the music, as you tour the 1880’s “Victorian
Painted Lady”. Today the home is now the home to the
Croad’s son and his family.
