What you need to know for this Saturday's Heritage and Harvest Porch Tour in Louisiana

The Heritage and Harvest Porch Tour Saturday, October 8, 2022, from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m., will take you north along Highway 3049 and Highway 71 where you can see the small towns. For the second time, the tour is focusing on the porches of beautiful homes, "It's a friendly way because they can sit on a porch and enjoy southern hospitality" said Red River Crossroads Historical and Cultural Association board member Sandie Smoak.

Her charming porch at her family-owned Dixie Farms Lavender will be a stop on their year's tour.

The Red River Crossroads Historical and Cultural Association offers this information on how to enjoy this year's free and family-friendly event.

Dixie

Highway 3049 — The community was named for Dixie Cross Roads in Bossier Parish from where many settlers migrated. The railroad came to the area in 1899. A cotton gin was on the left of the road in Dixie and a railroad depot on the right.

Visit Dixie Farms Lavender Shoppe - Shop a variety of lavender products and art www.dixiefarmslavender.com

The Cairo Home - John and Tonya Sloan, 8305 Sentell Road, Shreveport.  Established in 1893, rebuilt in 1950.  Original buildings include a white frame home, a commissary and a corn crib.

Belcher

Highway 3049— The village of Belcher began in 1899 when steamboat landings at Rush Point and Briarfield on the Red River largely were bandoned and shipping traffic moved over to the railroad. A new community was named "Horseshoe" and later renamed “Belcher” in honor of John Belcher who owned the land.

• The Connell Home – Hunter and Mallory Brantly, 225 Gray Street.  Built in 1901, the home remained in the Connell family for 59 years before being sold to a succession of owners.  The home is in the American Foursquare architectural style with a wrap-around porch and porte-cochere.

• The Log Home – 625 Self Road.  The home was built in 1999, by David and Carolyn Self Lawrence.  Greg and Christi McWhiney purchased the home in 2017, from Christi’s parents.

• Belcher Presbyterian Church - On Gray St/Hwy 3049. The present building, constructed in 1925, features the original pipe organ. Gail Moore will play the pipe organ from 11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon the day of the tour and also for the weekly Sunday worship services at 11:00 AM. Visitors are wlecome.

• The Storer Home – Craig and Judy Storer, 516 Gray Street.  This Greek Revival style home is of solid masonry construction built in 1890, and remained in the Glassell family 160 years.• Lynn Plantation Commissary – 11580 Hwy 3049.  Newly released Ross Lynn Legacy Photography book on sale.  Lynn’s photography also on display.

• The Wild Petunia and Tea Room will be re-opening the day of the tour. Sample a tea room delicacy and, if in a hurry, purchase a box lunch to go. Local artists will be on site.

• Horseshoe Bayou Bridge - Caddo St

  • Historic one-lane bridge built in 1915.

• Veterans Memorial- On Gray St/Hwy 3049. Honoring all veterans.

• D & I Country Café and Deli 312 Caddo Street Belcher 71004. Home-cooked lunches and sandwiches served daily.

Gilliam

Highway 3049 — In the 1880s R. L. Gilliam came to the area and bought land. In 1898, when the railroad came through the area, Mr. Gilliam donated a right of way on the agreement that the railroad put a depot on the land and name it Gilliam. A post office was established in 1900. In the aftermath of a cyclone in 1908 which killed 40 people, the TS&N Railroad sent carloads of emergency supplies and provided railcars for temporary storage for belongings of the survivors.

• Red River Crossroads Museum: First Sale of Crossroads Cuisine Cookbook - a collection of heritage recipes from families in these communities. Also, Display and sale of the Plein Air Art painted on the Sunflower Trail this summer. The Museum features displays dating from the Caddo Indian mounds to the development of plantations and towns following the clearing of the Red River raft. A special display depicting the recent discovery of the Caddo Indian dugout canoe in the Red River near Belcher.

•  The Malone Home – Steve and Amy Malone, 5564 1st Street. Built 1910.

• Main Street Restaurant - 12807 Main Street Enjoy delicious food in an interesting and scenic setting in one of the original brick store buildings. Varied lunch menu selections available for lunch.

• Red River Crossroads Museum - 12797 Main Street Located in the Gilliam Library. The Museum features displays dating from the Caddo Indian mounds to the development of plantations and towns following the clearing of the Red River raft. A special display depicting the recent discovery of the Caddo Indian dugout canoe in the Red River near Belcher.

• Gilliam Gin Company - Highway 3049 South of Gilliam. See a modern cotton gin in operation. Learn about cotton harvesting and ginning at the Red River Crossroads Museum.

• James Country Store – 12781 Main St.  Food available

Hosston

Highway 71 North — The area was settled between 1830 and 1850 by George Hale. Just east of Hosston, a steamboat landing was used for selling wood to steamboat captains. A ferry was operated on Black Bayou for the distribution of mail up and down North Caddo Parish and into Arkansas until a post office was chartered in 1901.

• Old Hosston Public School / Singing Pines Recreational Complex  - Kirby family, 14905 Oak St.  Singing Pines is the former Hosston Elementary/Alternative School. The main building is Art Deco Style and was completed in approximately 1932.  A gymnasium was completed in 1951. The facility is available for rent for events. 318-287-3360

• Old Church House - Open new event venue

  • The Old Church House is the former Hosston Methodist Church. The McKinney's purchased and renovated the building to open as a Coffee Shop/Museum and a Farmer's Market. On Tour day the outdoor market will feature various arts and crafts vendors and McKinney Hill Farm products.

• Big Mama's Antiques and Restorations 6403 Parkway Drive Hosston 71043

  • Shop interesting collectibles and hear about the early days of Hosston from owner Ray Stevenson. For more information 318-573-2127

More on Ray Stevenson - https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2021/08/08/antique-dealer-ray-stevenson-brings-hosston-post-office-back-life/7979317002/

Mira

Highway 71 North — The area was settled around 1872. The village originally was called Loma, and was later named Mira, after the daughter of an early settler.

• Designs by Carol Quilt Shop - Hwy 71 North. Handmade quilts for sale or will quilt your tops. Also, Muscadine preserves on sale as well as cakes and sorbet. For more information please call 318-287-3380.

Ida

The area was settled in the 1800s and named Ida after the daughter of the postmaster, Jonathan Chandler, when the Post Office was established in 1897.

• Hillsong House Bed & Breakfast - Recently opened by David and Aimee Neu at 19535 Highway 71, Ida, LA 71044. The Home was built in 1912 by the Allison family.   It offers a wooded path and tea lunch 10-3 during the tour. Chef Aimee also runs the Reservation Table Restaurant in Vivian 318-422-5065.

• Smokie’s Antique car Museum- Enjoy viewing the private collection of CH Maddox at 18876 Alabama Avenue, Ida 71044.

• The Capt. Fletcher E. Adams 357th Fighter Group Museum.  Cold drinks, coffee, water, and snacks.  (318) 469-1060

• Ida Methodist Church - built in 1904.

• Capt. Fletcher E Adams 357th Fighter Group Museum - 18876 Alabama Ave

More on The Reserved Table - https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2022/08/15/check-out-vivian-restaurant-serving-meals-and-community/10133724002/

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Info heritage and harvest porch tour louisiana