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Gilliam
R. L. “Bob” Gilliam arrived and bought land, later to be
known as the Gilliam Place, in the area at the
turn-of-the-century.1 Texarkana, Shreveport, and
Natchitoches Railroad planned to come through the area,
but didn’t have much money. They acquired most of the
land through trade.2 Gilliam donated land for the
railroad right of way on the condition that a depot be
established on the land and the town named “Gilliam.”3
Tracks
were built through the area in 1888.4
In about
1902 the Red River had risen greatly and the levee at
the Thompson place north of Gilliam broke, flooding the
area. Several attempts to prevent the flooding had
failed.5 In 1908 a cyclone destroyed all but one house
in Gilliam: the Noels’ house managed to survive. Nearly
forty people were killed and about 140 were injured.
After the disaster the railroad allowed people to store
their possessions in boxcars until their homes could be
rebuilt. The railroad further aided the victims by
providing a tank of fresh water. 6
A post
office, store, and brick factory made up part of the
community. The Cavett-Glassell Gin was located in
Gilliam before the railroad came through. The cotton gin
was originally the Sentell-Cavett Gin, but Sentell sold
his share to Glassell.7 Gilliam Gin Company, located
just south of Gilliam on Highway 3049, is one of only
five cotton gins left in Caddo Parish. There cotton is
baled, taken from Gilliam to Alexandria, and collected
by cotton buyers, who take it to the mill. Danny Logan
is the president of the gin.8
In the early days tents along the west side of the
railroad tracks housed the red-light district.9
The community has two churches, the Linda Lay Baptist
Church and the Gilliam Methodist Church.10
Old Adger
Store has been operating since 1916 when Will Adger
established it. W. E. Adger, Will’s son, began working
in the store with his father at the age of eight, but
manned it alone from 1950 until his death in 1990 under
the name W. E. Adger and Son Store. The interior has
high, pressed-tin ceilings; an oak and brass cash
register from 1911; wooden shelving along the walls; an
old scale; and wood-edged, glass counters. The store
closes every Thursday at noon, following a tradition
that has occurred since World War II.11
The
Gilliam Methodist Church was organized in 1900. Prior
to that time, a traveling minister who was staying with
R. L. Gilliam, held services once a month in a box car
at the suggestion of Gilliam. The present church was
dedicated on March 30, 1958.12
References
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Cemeteries
