Photo by FREDDIE HERPIN
Chief Photographer
BOBBY ARDOIN
Contributing Writer
Katie Hoffmann probably never imagined that she and her family would ever live in a Victorian-era home located in a small southern town.
That was before she spotted the 139-year-old two-story house on the corner of Bloch and North Court streets in Opelousas.
Was it love at first sight?
Perhaps it was.
What Hoffmann particularly remembers when she first saw what has traditionally been known as the Fred Sandoz Home, was one poignant thought.
“I saw it and I pictured my life and what it would be living there. It was just too good to be true,” said Hoffmann, who now lives at the spacious green house on 507 North Court with her husband and family.
The Hoffmann family transferred several years ago to Louisiana from Michigan. Hoffmann and husband Brad work for a construction company and live in the 4,700-foot, six-bedroom house with their five children.
It was also surprising she said how quickly it took to close the 2017 deal on the house, which had been vacant for several years.
“The house has such character and since my husband and I are in construction, we know it would be hard to replicate or find another house with the 12-foot ceilings and such character and quality of construction,” Hoffmann said.
Since they became the owners, the Hoffmann’s have painted the house green and replaced the roof with 50-year asphalt tiles, she said.
The family’s move from Michigan to Louisiana began in Lafayette. Katie Hoffmann said the family liked Lafayette, but they found the pace in that city a little too hectic.
“I met Robbie Sebastien and that’s when we discovered Opelousas. Our first house (in Opelousas) was on Liberty Street. Then I was introduced to the house where we live now and we have come to love the property there and the city,” Hoffmann added.
Since its construction was initially completed, the Hoffmann’s home has had several owners, according to Carola Ann Hartley.
Former St. Landry Parish Clerk of Court Patti Kempf lived there in addition to Van Hudspeth, who performed a major remodeling job on the house, Hartley pointed out.