77 Long Leaf Rd.
Long Leaf, LA 71448
31.005615,-92.560383
One of my favorite places to visit, the Southern Forest Heritage Museum in Long Leaf is like taking a step back in time. From its rich history, fascinating machinery on display, eerie feel and haunted tales, these massive grounds are a ghost hunter’s dreams! Let me also mention that the Director of the museum is one of the sweetest ladies on earth and we have worked with her countless times on numerous projects. If you are ever fortunate enough to visit this spot, be sure to say hello to Ms. Claudia!
Long Leaf is a very small town about twenty miles south of Alexandria, receiving its name from the high-quality long leaf pine that was mass-milled here. This wood produced here would be a valuable material in World War II as it was used in constructing Higgins landing craft, due to its ability to withstand the seawater. The saw mill that sits here was literally its own community, eventually becoming the town it is today. Opening in 1892, the sawmill sits on fifty-seven acres of land that also houses the buildings that were once the commissary, post office, doctor’s office, planer mill, round house, machine shop, car knocker shed and small homes where former employees lived with their families.
