Here is another ebay find. It shows a brand new fire truck that had been ordered by the Monroe Fire Department. The ebay ad says it dated to 1926, but the Type 12 debuted in 1911. You can read information about it here as well as see a great photo of one: https://fire.fandom.com/wiki/American_LaFrance_Type_12 I think … Continue reading A New Fire Truck for the Monroe Fire Department
The Golden Eagle Military Band
While browsing on ebay a few weeks ago, I saw this photo pop up on my list: I immediately recognized the photo as a member of the Golden Eagle Military Band. I bid on it and won. It is no bigger than the palm of my hand. The Golden Eagle Band was here briefly in … Continue reading The Golden Eagle Military Band
A List of Known Ouachita Parish Funeral Homes
I decided to make a rough list of known Funeral Homes that have popped up in Ouachita Parish and roughly when they started. I know this list is incomplete. This is just what I found. Most of the records for them have been lost over the years. Dixie Funeral Home (Ca. 1938 - 1943) Sold … Continue reading A List of Known Ouachita Parish Funeral Homes
When was the White’s Ferry Road Bridge Opened?
Last month, a patron came in and asked when the bridge was built over D'Arbonne bayou at White's Ferry. I must admit, I was caught flat-footed. I had never been asked about it in my almost 30 year career and never thought about it to be honest. Newspapers.com to the rescue! Back in 1935, the … Continue reading When was the White’s Ferry Road Bridge Opened?
Endom Bridge?
This is another postcard that claims to be the old traffic bridge (Now Endom) in Monroe. Some things seem "off" to me. For one, I really don't see the railroad bridge behind it. zooming in, I see some things that could be it, but not definite enough for me. The second thing is, what the … Continue reading Endom Bridge?
The Clipper Docked at Pine Street
Earlier this month I bought this postcard from Ebay. It shows the Clipper sternwheel packet, wood hull boat docked at (what I think is) the Pine Street landing in Monroe. It was built in Slidell in 1916 and ran the Ouachita and Black river route in the early 20's. It burned in New Orleans in … Continue reading The Clipper Docked at Pine Street
Shirley the Elephant Arrives at the Monroe Zoo
A lot of people remember Monroe's beloved zoo resident, Shirley the elephant. Here is a newspaper photograph of her shortly after her arrival at the zoo in 1977. Monroe Morning World, November 12, 1977. This next article appeared in the Monroe Morning World a few days later on November 16th. Over the hill? Hardly. [She … Continue reading Shirley the Elephant Arrives at the Monroe Zoo
The First St. Matthew’s Catholic Church Building
This is an early photo of the original St. Matthew's Catholic Church. It was built in 1851 and was located on the square which is now Anna Grey Noe Park, facing Wood Street. You can see the Priest's residence just on the right. Notice there is a priest standing just behind the fence.
Southern Equipment & Tractor Company
The above postcard I found and bought off of Ebay. The business stood roughly where Monroe Rubber and Gasket Company sits now. Looking at the cars, i would guess this was done in the 40's or 50's.
Powell Lumber Company – 1912
The below photo was found in a book on the Internet Archives page. I had never heard of this company, but I suspect it wasn't here long. I first see it mentioned in the 1909 newspapers and then in 1913, I found a tax notice of it's sale due to unpaid taxes. It was described … Continue reading Powell Lumber Company – 1912
Ouachita Parish History Tidbits 