By Billy Crawford

The two-story Leesville Hotel first opened in 1907 with 35 luxury hotel rooms located on the second floor.

Over the years the first floor was occupied by numerous businesses including a pharmacy, soda fountain, newsstand, barbershop, Western Union, gift shop, Word Insurance Agency and Real Estate, John Brothers Sporting Goods, and Dale Werner’s Hotel Bar.

The hotel’s history provides many stories. During the Louisiana Maneuvers, General George Patton and General Douglass MacArthur stayed at the hotel. Louisiana Governor Huey P. Long was once kicked out of the hotel. And Bonnie and Clyde stayed at the hotel during their robbery spree across the U.S. in the 1930’s to name just a few.

Most of you, like me, know the building as the Phoenix Drug Store. As a youngster, Don Goins worked at the newsstand located in the Hotel. Working there spurred his desire to go on to pharmacy school. After graduating he returned to Leesville to work at the same pharmacy. Don eventually would become the owner of the building and the pharmacy.

The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Source: Vernon Parish Library Digital Archives