This is a tiny little key hole glimpse into the history of education in the African-American community of Monroe. It talks about a trade school that had been started by the local Baptist.
The Times-Democrat, New Orleans, LA, May 26, 1902, Page 5
The seventh annual commencement of the North Louisiana Industrial High School, colored, was begun to-day, when Rev. Wm. Hamilton, president of the Board of Turstees, delivered the annual sermon in Zion Traveler Baptist Church. The exercises will continue for two days. There are no graduates.
This school, which was organized under the auspices of the Tenth District Baptist Association, aimed to give the colored children a higher education than they could receive in the public school, and also to give them manual training. The former idea has been carried tout in the last seven years, but as to the latter, the only occupation taught is sewing. During the closing term there have been 167 pupils, 75 of whom were boys. The monthly tuition fee is 75 cents for the primary, and $1 for the academic department. Wm. Pruitt, B.S., is the principal, and there are eight teachers. There is also a normal course.
Considering the fact that there is a very largely attended public school and three private schools in Monroe for colored children, the attendance at this institution is encouraging.
Ouachita Parish History Tidbits 