Col. C. H. Ardis

[geodood]

I recently learned that I am a great great great....nephew of Col. C. H. Ardis who reportedly was one of the most successful merchants in the State of Louisiana back in the 1800's.

http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb...os/ardisch.txt

There was once a water tower on Levee St. with the name "Ardis & Co." on it for many years. If anyone comes across a picture of this water tower, or any other reference to CH Ardis, please let me know! Thanks!

[geodood]

Originally Posted by monkspaceman

The largest growing church in Bossier City, First Baptist, was originally "Ardis Memorial" as the Col Ardis donated the original church structure. This was circa turn of last century...and the church building stood for several years after the new sanctuary was built and renamed FBC, but was torn down in the mid-1900's to make way for a new building. I have a couple of variations (grainy original and reworked color) of the church building, but have yet to find a photo of the man.

Wow thanks for the reply monkspaceman. I did not know that. My Dad's middle name is Ardis and my grandmother is from Mt Lebanon and her maiden name is Ardis. My great grandfather Lofton Ardis was C.H. Ardis' nephew. I am still researching and I hope to find his picture soon. If you ever scan any pictures of the old church building, I'd be interested in a jpg. Or better yet, please join our Historic Photos group and post them for all to enjoy. Thanks again for the reply.

[salguodgrubmab]

Clinton Ardis. If your ever on Milam St. look at The Johnson Bldg. It was built by him. His residence was removed to make way for it and it was originally The Ardis Bldg then later the Exchange National Bank.

[geodood]

Originally Posted by salguodgrubmab

Clinton Ardis. If your ever on Milam St. look at The Johnson Bldg. It was built by him. His residence was removed to make way for it and it was originally The Ardis Bldg then later the Exchange National Bank.

Thanks for the reply sal. Isn't the Johnson building (which is empty I believe) for lack of a better word "too modern" to have been built in the 1800's? Could it have been built by Col. Clinton H Ardis' son (J. B. Ardis) I'm not disagreeing with you, and perhaps the Johnson bldg is a lot older than I thought.

BTW, do you know who old the Slattery Building is? It looks much older and might have worked for filming the Ghost Busters movie. I can't see them, but I can picture a couple of gargoyles up there.

Anyway, thanks for any info, and if you ever come across a picture of Col. Ardis or any of his works, please post them or private message me. I would very much appreciate it.

[salguodgrubmab]

The Ardis on Milam was begun in 1919 and opened in 1920. I have attached info on the original Ardis Bldg. The Slattery was erected in 1923.

[geodood]

Thanks sal! Very interesting to me! But I'm a little confused. Was the Ardis bldg on Milam? Or was it at the corner of caddo and commerce? (as described in the picture) Was the Johnson bldg and Ardis bldg the same? The picture doesn't look much like today's Johnson bldg. Thank you for any clarification. I'm guessing these are two different buildings. Was the Johnson bldg always called that?

I will continue looking for a photo of CH Ardis. As much of a big wig as he was at that time, I would imagine that some pictures taken of him. Maybe in the Noel Library? I'm also searching geneology.com and ancestry.com etc..

I have always enjoyed local history, but now even more as I combine it with my geneology efforts. On my other side of the family, I have a great grandfather who helped start several churches in our area. Thanks to this thread, I now know this was true on both sides of my family!