Perhaps you would like to know? Andrew J. Hodges began his enterprise with a little over 100,000 acres of cutover land in Vernon and our surrounding parishes. He was to participate in and encourage the reforestation of these hills. He and his bride, Nona Triggs Hodges, loved to scout around in the heart of the acreage (approximately 4,700 acres) that they ultimately kept for themselves. 1,500 acres within these was to become the boundary of the “Garden in the Forest.” An old stone quarry (a curious 60-acre abandoned quarry) supported their curiosity. Ancient Longleaf pines still stand where the boulders and vistas enjoy an astonishingly dramatic landscape. Here they built the formal gardens, Hodges Gardens. Old timers remember these gardens with their waterfalls, lookouts and unique plant collections. Upon their death, the gardens went to their family via an endowed foundation. This plan went forward covering the cost of running one of America’s truly great garden wonders. For forty years the public enjoyed Andrew and Nona’s great works with pride. After all, it was out in the middle of nowhere. The guest ledger held names from the Atlantic to the Pacific! It was loved and adored.

After the family was unable to continue the plan, Hodges Gardens became a Louisiana State Park, whose funding also dried up after yet another shorter but decent run. The garden, as it had been known, closed in 2017. Or did it?

The family’s non-profit foundation took over yet again, and the Board members and their families went to work with a very challenged lifeline. New directions were required to stay afloat, so to speak. A. J. Hodges’ grandson, “Andy,” has pine trees in his DNA. The new direction was to focus on the ecological plant associations of the Longleaf pine forest. Today, this forest is the largest privately managed Longleaf stand west of the Mississippi River. It is astonishing to behold. What’s more, it is actually helping to pay its way. The core gardens have not survived, but significant potential to realize something new is still possible. The most encouraging aspect of the gardens, and the original acres nearby, is the program to share the place once again with the public. That is to say, the new Louisiana Ecological Forestry Center is set up to support research groups, nature study groups, birders and butterfly folks, universities, and other educational classes, and so on. They have a new, refurbished lodge for overnight guests. I was even fantasizing about our Gallery 111 artists dropping in for a session. We would be most welcome. The dynamic, young land manager, Mr. Rodney McKay, welcomes guests and programs that foster appropriate uses. Indeed, a dozen programs are already underway thanks to his energy and commitment. A. J. Hodges’ granddaughter, Nona Dailey, met me there yesterday, and we will be working together with the land manager to imagine where the old core gardens might head. It’s all pretty exciting.

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James Turner is a local author, artist, builder, historian, and landscape architect.  His most recent novel, Wolf Rock Cave, takes place in the prehistoric forests in Vernon Parish.