Last night was very sad for Preservationists in Cenla. The Thompson-Hargis home was irreparably destroyed by fire. At this time we know that it started in the back of the house and according to KALB, the cause was arson perpetuated by a 13 year old girl. An arrest has been made.
A security guard has been posted at the house remains to deter vandalism until a future disposition of the house can be determined by the family. Built in 1907 (some documents I have say 1902) without the benefit of a house plan by B.F. Thompson, a Canadian, the Thompson-Hargis mansion survived a total of 105 years until its historic reign was brought to an untimely end on September 9, 2012. Rivaling the beautiful and well preserved mansions on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans, this mansion was the last one of its kind in Alexandria.
Mansion Row, as it is locally named, will not be the same. RIP grand lady.
The above pictures were taken via iPhone as it was unfolding. For pictures taken this morning, click here to be redirected to the WeSawThat blog.
P.S. I wrote a short post spotlighting this property in 2008 and made the comment that it would not last much longer in the state that it was presently in. It has been a top post for the past two days, understandably so. I am sad that this was a fulfilled prophecy. 😦
Perpetual Renovator 
Alex is just..mad, dumbfounded,disgusted ,sick and very, very angry!
It is sad to think of the many, many people who were interested in preserving it and the owners were not.
😦
I am the great-granddaughter of Manie Thompson Hargis. I truly appreciate your love and respect for our family’s home. I grew up in Alexandria, spent many afternoons and holidays at Manie’s (as we all called it), and have so many wonderful memories there. Did you know there was a motorized chair on the back staircase that all the grandkids loved playing on? We used to ride up and down, peeking out the side window as we passed by. And the small downstairs bathroom used to scare me to death, for reasons I do not know! I just want to state that it wasn’t that the owners (my grandfather – Manie’s only child who grew up in the home and who passed away in 2009 and then followed by his children, my father and aunt) weren’t interested in preserving the house. There are a number of factors which quite frankly really aren’t anyone’s business. Sometimes you can be too close, too attached to something. We are all devastated to have lost such a beautiful gem.
I am the great-grandson of Manie Hargis. I cannot add much to what my sister wrote. I will always remember sitting on the porch with my great-grandmother and grandfather and gathering here as a family for holidays and other events. Words cannot express the pain I personally feel seeing these pictures. Please recognize that our family has lost more than the structure of this house.
TIffany and Ben, thank you so much for commenting. Your comments and memories are welcome! We all felt the loss of this great historical landmark and share your pain, albeit on a different level. I am sure seeing the pictures of it is devastating. If you would like to share any original pictures of the house or any memories here on my blog, feel free to do so. I am truly sorry for your loss.
To Ms Hargis Poore and Mr. Hargis, my deepest sympathy in losing this beautiful home. This house is a beautiful gem. I have been remodeling a Greek revival home in Galveston, so admire these types of homes.
If for some reason, you decide not to rebuild, I would be very interested in the columns for my home in Galveston.
Best regards,
Joel
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