This modified Salt Box style home is reported to be
the first home in Minden to be built on a concrete
foundation. Sue and Willard Roberts, the original owners
of this historic home, met in New Orleans in the early
thirties. They were later married in the Crescent City
in 1935. Mr. Roberts was a Gypsum (sheet-rock) salesman
in Birmingham, Alabama. Sue was a homemaker with
impeccable taste. In 1939, Willard with his young family
had the opportunity to come to Minden, to operate the
Minden Lumber Yard. The Roberts family would become
prominent citizens in Minden. They were involved in
church, civic and business organizations for many years.
Mr. Roberts would own several businesses in Minden until
his retirement in 1960. One business which was formed in
the fifties was a building material, gift & Pittsburg
Paint store. Mr. Roberts liked to say his family
survived from his Pittsburg paint business. The
Roberts-Brown Company was located where Regions Bank is
today. Back then it was located next door to Parker
Buick. Mrs. Sue Roberts, with her eye for decorating,
helped many of the area homeowners with their home
décor. Sue Roberts also had a hand with their successful
frame shop, located along Union & Monroe St. In their
two-story home, located at 318 Lewisville Rd., they
raised four girls; the oldest being Suzanne Burns (now
residing in California), Lyda Madden (Minden), Elizabeth
Martin (Colorado) and Anna Welles (Florida). In 1990
Jimmie and Linda Miller purchased the home, fulfilling a
life long dream for Linda. Linda a 1966 Graduate of MHS
had dreamed of living in the Salt Box house. She often
told her high school sweetheart, Jimmie, how much she
loved the house. They would pass it everyday going to
school. Thirty years later, her dream came true. The
Millers purchased the home, from the Robert’s family.
The Millers have two children, Kristie Copeland and
Michael Miller. Another twist to the story is that
Jimmie is the comptroller for Lyda’s husband, James at
Madden Construction. Linda’s love for the house is
evident in the beautiful yard and interior of the home.
This 1939 home has been a great place to call home for
two Minden families.
