(by Brooke Robichaux, L’Observateur, November 5, 2022)
When Jimmy Lewis’ wife texted him a picture of a dilapidated Masonic Lodge she had stumbled upon on S. Church Street in Garyville, he knew instantly that it was meant to be.
“I wrote back and said, ‘I’m going to buy that.’ I’ve always wanted to restore an old place. My father was a mason and my great-grandfather was a mason, so it just felt right,” Lewis said.
Less than two months after the purchase was finalized, Hurricane Ida tore half of the roof off. Being faced with extensive repairs without insurance wasn’t enough to discourage Lewis, who has spent the past year performing a historical renovation to bring the aging building back to its former glory.
Lewis was able to save all 14 antique cypress windows with weights but had to replace approximately 50 broken window panes. The building, originally open at the bottom, is raised seven feet off the ground. Renovations thus far have included the addition of a porch on the backside to match the front porch. The inside of the structure has been framed for bedrooms, and plumbing has been installed. Lewis said the next step is to complete electrical work, followed by the addition of sheetrock.
While Lewis is unsure of the exact age of the property, he knows the cornerstone was originally laid in …
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Less than two months after the purchase was finalized, Hurricane Ida tore half of the roof off. Being faced with extensive repairs without insurance wasn’t enough to discourage Lewis, who has spent the past year performing a historical renovation to bring the aging building back to its former glory.
Lewis was able to save all 14 antique cypress windows with weights but had to replace approximately 50 broken window panes. The building, originally open at the bottom, is raised seven feet off the ground. Renovations thus far have included the addition of a porch on the backside to match the front porch. The inside of the structure has been framed for bedrooms, and plumbing has been installed. Lewis said the next step is to complete electrical work, followed by the addition of sheetrock.
While Lewis is unsure of the exact age of the property, he knows the cornerstone was originally laid in …
read more:
While Lewis is unsure of the exact age of the property, he knows the cornerstone was originally laid in …
read more:
