Not sure how it works in LA, but there ought to be a record of deeds going back to the first owner even if the building was tax exempt for a period. These records are usually kept on file at the county - parish? - seat.

Nails, wood, etc. can provide clues, but are not definitive. In earlier more frugal days much was reused and recycled. It wouldn't be difficult to find 200 year old beams in a "younger" house.

Wire nails only came into common use after the War Between the States, so the 1850 date is consistent with building methods. Indoor plumbing and electrical wiring are obviously later improvements. Local and state historical societies may be interested in dating and perhaps documenting your home.

A friend of mine grew up in this 1860s farmhouse, now surrounded by the subdivision built on the former fields she played in as a child.

{{gwi:2135783}}

{{gwi:2135783}}{{gwi:2135783}}

This post was edited by worthy on Tue, Feb 3, 15 at 9:46

Thank you.

I realize that materials were reused. I did the same thing with the original tongue and groove flooring because the subfloor was rotten. I used the tongue and groove floor under the eaves of the house where we added 12' to the back of the house.

I didn't have time to go any further back in the records but I was involuntarily "retired" 2 weeks ago from my 22 year job by the new elected official, so now I have time to go to the courthouse and run the records further back.

I've talked to friends who know the house and said it was doctor's offices and a Presbyterian Church, that they played in the house when they were kids and they're now in their 80's.

This is a pic of the house now.

Thank you.

I realize that materials were reused. I did the same thing with the original tongue and groove flooring because the subfloor was rotten. I used the tongue and groove floor under the eaves of the house where we added 12' to the back of the house.

I didn't have time to go any further back in the records but I was involuntarily "retired" 2 weeks ago from my 22 year job by the new elected official, so now I have time to go to the courthouse and run the records further back.

I've talked to friends who know the house and said it was doctor's offices and a Presbyterian Church, that they played in the house when they were kids and they're now in their 80's.

This is a pic of the house now.

{{gwi:2135786}}

Almost looks like sears catalog but that would make it younger...did you have the title searched...they usually go way back...

You're saying the house looks like it came from Sears?

We were given the house if we moved it off the property where it was. It was going to be demolished to make a parking lot. YEAH! Only it didn't look this good. It was a rental and very plain.

When we got the house to our property, we raised it, added the porch railing and 12' across the rear. I totally redid the entire inside and put hardy plank on the outside. It had wood siding.

Sears (along with others) sold some kit houses but that doesn't mean yours was one. I guess this does raise a second question, how do you know the house was the first building on that lot?

The Recorder's Office is what everyone is talking about here, it keeps track of property deeds and so forth. The collection of documents related to a property parcel is the chain of title. The property may have been bought and sold before any house was built, or the house may have been replaced at some point, and there may or may not be enough information in the various deeds to determine that.

How big is the population in this town? It may have had Sanborn maps. On the other hand most of those don't go back prior to the Civil War.

I have no way of knowing if this was the first house on that property. The town is very small, about 9300 population in 2013.

I have no idea how far the records go back but as soon as I catch up on some projects, I'm going to go check it out.

I have no way of knowing if this was the first house on that property. The town is very small, about 9300 population in 2013.

I have no idea how far the records go back but as soon as I catch up on some projects, I'm going to go check it out.