the story of corbeau creek

Corbeau Creek Ranch sits just five minutes off Interstate 20 near Minden, Louisiana. Part event space and part natural retreat, Corbeau Creek Ranch is an idyllic destination that captivates the senses.

Originally settled by German immigrants in the late 1800s, the homestead became known as "the old Beck place."

After passing through the hands of the Beck family and a few others, Rachel’s father, Mike Waller, bought the property in 1976. He renamed the property Crow Creek Ranch for the natural creek that cuts through the site.

The next four decades brought improvements to the property and a lifetime of treasured memories for the Waller family.

In 2021, Mike decided it was time to downsize, and the house was listed with Rachel’s real estate firm, Rachel & Co. Realty. The property quickly garnered interest. But those early showings proved emotional for the Wallers, and Rachel and her siblings realized the property must remain in the family.

"One way to honor my dad’s legacy is to make the property

something others will enjoy too.”

One of six siblings, Rachel took the lead and purchased the family home in December 2021. Jessie Waller, Rachel’s brother and owner of Bon Temps Café and Smokin’ Joes BBQ, and her sister, Jodie Martin, owner of Geaux Fresh, were eager to combine their food service and event expertise with Rachel’s property management and rental experience. The siblings united, and a new vision for the property begun. So did a new name. With a nod to Louisiana’s French influence, the Crow Creek Ranch became Corbeau Creek Ranch.

“Dad has conceived and developed a beautiful piece of land… it has four stocked ponds and walking paths. I will have

a big emphasis on the landscape,” Rachel reflected as she surveyed the 42-acre property from the second floor of the

family home.

Landscape work is underway at the entrance and around the house to continue updating the property while creating an exceptional experience for guests and upcoming events. Rachel is also working with a local landscape architect to execute her vision of a botanical garden using predominantly native species, complete with walking paths and pollinator beds dotted with sculptural elements.

Corbeau Creek’s stately main house has as much character in its history as it does in its aesthetics.

“When I bought the house, it was a typical dog trot house with cracks in the floorboards. At first it was a hunting camp. Every year, on the fourth weekend of October, we would hold the Great NW Louisiana Redneck Squirrel hunt and Coon eating contest for about 40 guests,” said Mike.

When Mike originally purchased the land, he decided it would be the perfect place to raise his family, but it needed work.

He quickly began preparations that included moving the main house 35 feet toward the back of the property, leveling the foundation, building a larger front porch and glassing-in the back room. Realizing the need for more bedrooms, he converted the attic space using I-beams through the fireplace for support.

The pitch of the stairs left very little headroom for guests going upstairs. Mike, being of a smaller stature, decided it would be ample room if the builder measured him with his cowboy boots and gave it one inch for clearance. The result was a perfectly pitched set of stairs leading to the second floor, which features a double fireplace and master suite.

The barn at Corbeau Creek sits near the back of the property. The original structure was positioned toward the front of the land, but that location proved unserviceable. Mike moved it shortly after acquiring the property. During the relocation, the salvaged barn was enhanced with reclaimed materials from Hodge, Louisiana. Among the other items being restored and preserved is the Beck barbecue pit that was used for Fourth of July gatherings dating back to the 1800s and an original Minden firetruck that will soon be converted into a bar to use at events.

The original homestead sits adjacent to the barn. During the Wallers’ time on the property the family would make a short trip across the grounds to “camp” in the single-room log cabin, which the children later converted into their playhouse. Now the quarters will serve as a gathering place for the groom’s party during weddings, a reflection space for retreats, or a camp for a family reunion. “It’s just fun space with a ton of history,” Rachel said with a smile.

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Rachel and the Waller family have accepted the challenge that comes will breathing new life into the structures and landscapes at Corbeau Creek. And with it, they have begun a new chapter in the ranch's history. With multiple indoor and outdoor hosting spaces, Corbeau Creek is a versatile event venue perfect for small groups and large crowds. Intimate gatherings, grand weddings, corporate parties, family reunions, birthday celebrations, fundraisers, photoshoots, weekend getaways -- you name it, we can host it.

Contact our team to inquire about your next event at

info@corbeaucreek.com or 318-349-5370.