Endangered Structures

Wallace-Ayers Mansion
907 State Street, Lafayette

This brick Greek Revival home was built by James Wallace, a Lafayette cabinetmaker who owned much of the property to the east of the house in the area now known as the Wallace Triangle. Bought in 1898 by Loomis Heston, the house was remodeled in the late 1890s and porches, bay windows, and a full facade front porch with balustrade above were added. The house features: ionic columns; an elaborate door with leaded glass and sidelights; decorative balustrades on every porch; 16 over 1 windows; corner, square ionic fluted pilasters; curved 2nd floor side porch with columns and balustrade; curved glass windows; and a basement. The house was purchased by Col. Howard Ayers, aide-de-camp to Gen. MacArthur. Ayers designed and rebuilt the network of utilities in Japan after WWII and was given the Order of the Rising Sun by the Emperor for his work.