…or about to be! Back in November, 1898, Mayor Dr. Andrew A. Forsythe had just been elected. It seems he hit the ground running! This appeared in a New Orleans newspaper:
MONROE.
Dirt Broken for the First of Many
Improvements.
Monroe, La., Nov. 23. – At noon to-day, Mayor Forsythe broke the first dirt on DeSiard street, preparatory to the grading and paving of that thoroughfare. There were present a number of Monroe’s most prominent citizens and the street was crowded with people who came to witness the event.
Several addresses were delivered. Among the spokesmen were the mayor, Councilman Moore, chairman of the streets committee; R.W. Adams, who represents the Talbot Paving Company and O.C. Dawkins, of the Evening News. Watson’s Band furnished the music for the occasion. The fire department was out in full force, besides the entire council, to whom Monroe owes her new departure in modern improvements.
Ouachita Parish History Tidbits 