In 1970, the Queen of Gospel herself, Mahalia Jackson sang at the Monroe Civic Center. Mayor Jack Howard presented her with a Pacemaker Bracelet and rolled out the red carpet for her. Mrs. Irma DeTiege took her around town and they made visits to several local pastors in the area. Among the songs Mrs. Jackson sang at the Civic Center that night were: Will the Lord Remember me, The Lord’s Prayer, How Great Thou Art, How We Got Over, Precious Lord and We Shall Overcome. At the end of the concert, Mayor Howard presented her with a dozen red roses! However, this was not her first concert in Monroe! Ms. Jackson previously came to Monroe for a concert at the Carroll Gym in 1949. A little over a year after her last Monroe concert, Ms. Jackson would pass away at the young age of 60.
Ouachita Parish History Tidbits 