Red River Crossroads Heritage and Harvest Tour

Saturday, September 24th - 10:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Tickets for the Tour are $ 10.00 and are available at the Belcher Presbyterian Church, the Crossroads Museum in Gilliam and the homes on Tour.

Killarney Farm – Dixie, LA

Killarney Farm sits on 235 acres located off the old Dixie Highway in Dixie, Louisiana. It was established by James Stuart Douglas during the late 1800s. In 1920, Mr. J. S. Douglas built his home at this location. The home was designed by a very young architect Edward F. Neild, working in the firm of Clarence E. Olschner, Architect Associates. Neild went on to become one of the most celebrated Shreveport architects of the mid twentieth century. Killarney has been in the Lee-Harrison family for over 65 years and is currently owned by the Patrick Wesley Harrison Family which is third generation.
The Harrisons have made necessary renovations to the home, including electrical and plumbing upgrades, as well as repainting the home. They also added a new garage and guest house. Mr. Harrison has preserved most of the buildings on the property and surrounding grounds. Killarney has remained in the Harrison family for 66 years, and the farmland is currently leased to the Kirby family, who continue the tradition of planting cotton, corn, and on occasion, soybeans alongside the beautiful old orchard of pecan trees. Mr. Harrison has continued to produce quality pecans from Killarney. Recently in 2014, Mr. Harrison added an 18 acre lake to the property across the road from the Killarney Home

McKinney Hill Farm – Houston, LA

McKinney Hill Farm is located on the old McKinney Farm land. Hugh Clifford McKinney relocated to Hosston from Rocky Mount around 1902 and, over a period of time, purchased 1100 acres and farmed cotton, along with his wife Clara Lawton. Hugh also ran a general mercantile store, “H. C. McKinney & Sons,” in downtown Hosston. His sons, Ralph and wife, Lorraine, and Hugh Ben and wife, Freda, continued to farm from 1938 to 1989. Ralph and Lorraine had five children: Raymond, Larry, Steven, H.C. and Robin. In 2010, Raymond inherited 40 acres and with his wife, Deb, worked with David C. Leeth Construction to build a new house on top of the northern hill. The house was designed by Deb and blends Raymond’s Louisiana heritage with her Colorado roots. Many family antiques are in the house and one room contains historical Hosston photos. In 2016, they started their farm business, “McKinney Hill Farm,” producing hay, blueberries, fig preserves, sloe jelly and crafts. The new road is named in honor of the Grandparent’s old family cabin – Camp Clara Hugh.
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Other features of the Tour
Belcher Presbyterian Church 508 Gray street, Highway 3049 The Belcher Presbyterian Church built in 1925 and the original pipe organ is being played during the tour by organist, Gail Moore

Horseshoe Bayou Bridge – 408 Caddo Street Historic one-lane bridge built in 1915.

The Veteran's Memorial is located in Belcher, LA

The Wild Petunia in Belcher, LA

D&I store – Belcher, LA A good stop for a cold drink or a snack.

Leaving Belcher on the way to Gilliam -
Lynn Plantation headquarters established 1914 - – Stop by a restored tenant house on Lynn Plantation and enjoy a tasty treat. See the recreated Lynn Plantation Commissary

Red River Crossroads Museum in Gilliam, LA the - featuring new displays depicting the history of this region along the Red River
See the cotton being harvested and stop in the Gilliam Gin Company to hear about harvesting and ginning of cotton
Main Street Restaurant in Gilliam, LA
Adger’s Store and Restaurant in Gilliam, LA
Old Hosston School – Singing Pines Recreational Complex 14905 Oak Street, Hosston, LA Visit the beautiful restored school building and enjoy a fish lunch from 11-2, music and entertainment, and a variety of vendors for shopping from 10-3.

Hale Grist Mill – 15710 HWY 71 N Hosston, LA Hardy Hale will demonstrate grinding corn into meal with samples for visitors.

Designs by Carol Quilt shop - Hwy 71 north Mira, LA Handmade quilts for sale or will quilt your tops.
IDA (same text for town)

Ida Methodist Church – 6874 Cedar Lane. Beautiful white frame church built in 1904. Members will be available to tell visitors about the history of the church.

Village of Ida Museum - The Museum is located in the original Ida Post Office building on Magnolia Lane.