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This is a picture of my grandparent's house in the Laran community of Union
Parish. This was once the general store and Post Office of Laran. It is located
on a crossroad, and I don't remember the names of the roads.
The store was owned by Lem and Rosie Cranford. Grandma and Grandpa (Hosea
and Mary McAdams) were renting the living space above from Lem. Downstairs was
the store, upstairs was the apartment, and the Post Office was located in the
back. In the late 50's or early 60's Grandpa bought the store from the Cranford's
and it became known as McAdams' Grocery.
Many of the community residents would come to the store and sit on the front
porch and socialize.  I wish I had a tape of all the tales that were told
on that front porch. The grassy area in front of the store is where the gas pumps
were. To the left of this building was the auto mechanics shop, a Quonset hut type
building that was full of treasures, until it collapsed due to neglect.
Across the road was the doctor's office.  I used to find the prettiest
medicine bottles buried where the doctor's office once stood. Cati-corner across
the street is where Hopewell Baptist Church is located.  And that was all of
downtown Laran, LA - four buildings at a crossroads!

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