Ouachita Parish History Tidbits

Author: Lora Diane Peppers

  • J.Y. Covington Wholesale and Retail Liquor Dealer and the Silver King Saloon

    This one was located in the 100 block of North Grand street in the triangular lot across the street from the old Southern Hardware. You can find many of Covington’s…

  • J.S. Bloch Wholesale and Retail Wines, Liquors, Beers, Cigars

    Everyone should know this building. Most people know it today as Cotton’s Restaurant. The wood floors and ceilings, along with the columns are still there. I have heard the bar…

  • Consolidated Ice Company

    This building once sat next to where the Children’s Museum is now on Walnut. It was a major tourist attraction when it opened. People were fascinated by getting ice in…

  • Allen’s Pharmacy

    Allen’s Pharmacy was a very well known drug store in Monroe. It was located in the 200 block of DeSiard street. I love the fact you could buy your medicine…

  • A.S. Kuhn Whiskies & Wine

    This building was located in the area where the Paramount theater would be built. Just look at all that dark wood and carving detail on the bar! I wonder what…

  • Monroe skyline, 1905

    Our first photos from the Monroe Illustrated were labeled, “BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF THE CITY.” The first caption stated it was a view of City of Monroe from City School Tower.…

  • Monroe Illustrated

    Back in 1905, a businessmen’s club in Monroe called the Progressive League decided to showcase what Monroe had to offer. Inside this little newspaper was 76 pages chocked full of…

  • Salt Water Natatorium Flood, 1912

    Very interesting shot of the flooded Salt Water Natatorium at Forsythe park, dated 1912. The pavilion would eventually be lost to a fire, but it would be another flood, the…

  • The Union Church

    Did you know that Monroe’s Protestant faiths once shared a building? The building was called the “Union Church”. Here is how it got started. In 1853, Mr. James S. Ray…

  • African-American Funeral Programs – The New Index

    Several weeks ago, I published the index to the first fifty volumes of Ouachita Parish funeral home programs the Genealogy Department has collected over the years. When my colleague retired…