Neo-Georgian, Old Queen Anne house in Monroe was the home of former Louisiana governor
A historic Queen Anne-style home that now serves as the iconic headquarters for The Wellspring was once the residence of the Governor of Louisiana.
The Gov. Luther Hall House, located at 1515 Jackson St., Monroe, was the residence of the prominent northeast Louisiana politician during the late 19th and early 20th centuries who was governor of the state from 1912 to 1916.
Hall began his career practicing law in Alexandria. He later returned to his hometown of Bastrop to join the law firm of his uncle, Churubusco Newton. From 1898 to 1900, Hall served a partial term in the State Senate. He also served as judge in the 6th congressional district from 1900 to 1906, at the end of which time he moved to Monroe.
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Hall bought nine lots in Monroe in 1903, which were subdivided from a 10-acre plot. He retained lots number three, four and five on Jackson Street, on which the present house stands.
The Hall house is a classic example of a turn-of-the-century Neo-Georgian residence. It showcases remnants of the Old Queen Anne Revival, particularly in the overly vertical pediments and the use of bay windows.
Some of the features that detail the Queen Anne influence includes four fluted Ionic wooden columns supporting a dentil and modillioned heavy entablature, bracketed eaves and pediment which features, in addition to a fan-lighted central window, a dentil modillioned cornice which encircles the entire house.
The pediment effect is repeated in greatly modified form to the rear and on each side of the roofline forming a truncated pediment pyramidal roof. The side pediments top louvered dormers.
There are four rooms, a large central stair hall with stairway center-rear, a screened porch, a bath, three closets, a kitchen and butler's pantry on the first floor. On the second floor: five bedrooms, six closets, three baths, an enclosed sleeping porch and a large stair hall. The attic is small and unfinished. There are seven Victorian fireplaces and over mantels with tiled facings and two stained glass windows. Two rooms and the central hallway feature extensive wainscoting.
Hall and his wife lived in the house until 1912, when he was inaugurated as Governor. Prior to qualifying to run for governor, Hall was elected to the State Supreme Court, but resigned before serving for the gubernatorial race. Some of the accomplishments during Hall's administration included improved levees, port development in New Orleans, a Conservation Commission, reduced patronage and a bonding of the state debt.
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In 1916, Hall left office and moved to New Orleans, where he lived the remaining years of his life until his death in 1921. Despite his move to New Orleans, Hall did not sell the house until 1919. The house had a succession of owners and uses, including the Young Women's Christian Organization of Monroe, the precursor to the Wellspring, in 1946. It has served as the administrative offices for the non-profit ever since.
The house was listed in The National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and was purchased by the Wellspring in 2011.
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This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: wellspring office in Monroe was home of Louisiana Governor Luther Hall
