Like those who will live there, the 100+ year old historic Keller House facility (306 Holly Street, Monroe) has gotten new life. The structure has been refurbished as a 6-unit transitional housing facility for homeless families fleeing domestic violence. Grant funds were used to purchase the historic facility and complete the remodeling. However, we had to ask the community for help furnish the rooms. And help they did!
      The Keller House facility serves as the anchor for Holly Haven, a neighborhood revitalization project taken on by The Wellspring. Since 2000, it has been a part of The Wellspring’s strategic plan to create a safe haven for survivors of domestic violence by purchasing the property along Holly Street and either renovating or demolishing and replacing some of the housing. We envision a development that will visually reflect or complement The Wellspring’s Administrative headquarters at 1515 Jackson and the Keller House We see housing with porches, columns, hardie board plank, and other traditional architectural features. With the site fully developed, we see a neighborhood with much needed decent, affordable and energy-efficient housing for vulnerable families in an area of historic Monroe that has regained the stable, residential character it once enjoyed – a place where neighbors can sit on their front porches and talk of today’s achievements and tomorrow’s dreams.
       The Keller House is one of the most architecturally significant homes in the south Monroe. It was built in 1905 or 1906 by noted Louisiana architect William Drago for Monroe wholesale grocer James M. Keller. Keller was profiled in that era as “an example of what can be done in this country by a young man whose only capital was brains and correct habits.” (Monroe Evening News, 1893) The structure shows influence of the turn-of-the-century Georgian Revival with some Queen Anne influence. It is certainly among the grandest of its style. It will make a wonderful place for its residents access the supportive services and move on to independence.