This ad appeared in the Louisiana State Gazette newspaper (New Orleans, LA) on the front page of the Feb. 19, 1820 issue. Only a few months before, this boat landed at Fort Miro for the first time. It was the first steamboat that ever came to the fort. The citizens were so excited, they threw a celebration. Henry Bry suggested they name the town after the boat, which was met with universal agreement. The town has been Monroe ever since! Notice how the ad refers to Monroe as “Monroeville”!
Ouachita Parish History Tidbits 