Ouachita Parish History Tidbits

Author: Lora Diane Peppers

  • The Baron de Bastrop

    Bastrop is more closely associated with Morehouse Parish and Texas, but did interact with Ouachita parish and is an early settler of Colonial Ouachita Parish. The Texas State Historical Association…

  • A 1997 Profile of Chris Ringham

    I love this video! It was filmed back in 1997 for the LPB program, “Louisiana: the State We’re In”. It is a wonderful profile of one of Monroe’s most colorful…

  • More Information on George Byron Hamlet

    I got curious in January and decided to search for Mayor Hamlet’s name on Google. I found this great little website that talks about what happened to George after he…

  • Critters’ Creek

    Early in 1979, Mr. Melvin Ward entered into an agreement with the city of Monroe to build a water park in Chennault Park. Construction began that spring, with a planned…

  • The Rhythm Nightclub Fire of Natchez, MS

    You may be wondering why I would talk about a fire that happened in Natchez, MS on a Ouachita Parish history blog. There is a Monroe connection. On the night…

  • February 25, 1984 Black History Month Parade

    Carroll High School Drum Majors Daniel Kidd and Todd Johnson lead the band down DeSiard during the 1984 Black History parade, 41 years ago today.

  • Ouachita Parish Runaway Slave ads

    These have been collected over the years from area newspapers. It was quite common for the local law enforcement to advertise captures of runaway slaves in local newspapers, and hope…

  • Marbles Barbecue

    Mention the above restaurant around long time Monroe resident Boomers, Silent or Greatest Generations and I guarantee a smile will creep over their face and their mouth will start watering!…

  • Obituary of Frank W. Barrington

    I was VERY surprised to find an obituary for Prof. Barrington in state white owned papers. This was found in the March 6, 1896 New Orleans Times Picayune on page…

  • Contributors of Ouachita Parish book

    A colleague pointed this out to me late last year! Back during the Bicentennial in 1976, a group of prominent local African Americans researched and compiled a comprehensive history and…