Ouachita Parish History Tidbits

Author: Lora Diane Peppers

  • Count Basie Plays Carroll Auditorium

    I have told you about Carroll Auditorium at the Monroe Colored High School. It was a stop on the Chitlin’ Circuit back in the days of segregation. Last month, while…

  • Large Snowfall on DeSiard

    76 years ago, downtown Monroe had a record snowfall of 9 inches. The below photo was taken from the Bernhardt building and published in the News Star Jan. 31, 1949.

  • Monroe’s Oldest Operating Restaurant

    Most who have lived here for a while have heard of the Mohawk Tavern. It is one of the best seafood places in Monroe. It is so good, they don’t…

  • Mystery Building in West Monroe

    Does anyone out there recognize this building, supposed to have been in West Monroe? West Monroe, Louisiana | Louisiana Digital Library It has the look of the Hatchell’s Building on…

  • Spatafora Pharmacy Grand Opening Announcement- March, 1927

    This building still stands at the corner of DeSiard and N 8th streets, next to the DeSiard Street Shelter. I never realized the building was that old!

  • Grand Street in 1890

    From the same issue of the News Star as Monday’s post, comes this clipping. I REALLY want a clearer view of this photo! the view is standing on the railroad…

  • Architects Built Many Monroe Buildings

    November 25, 1929 ad from the News-Star for J.W. Smith and Associates architectural firm. They are advertising some of the buildings they have designed and built. The High School (now…

  • An Argument Turns Deadly in Monroe

    You will recognize the Danna name. This was Guseppe Danna from Sicily. He had only been here less than six years when this incident happened! He ended up surviving his…

  • Interior of Mealy Studio

    This grainy interior shot of the Mealy studio is a rare one indeed. It is dated 1911. Eli Mealy himself had died three years before, but the studio was bought…

  • The Circus Comes to Monroe

    150 years ago tomorrow, the Great International Menagerie, Museum, Aquarium, Grecian Circus and Grand Roman Hippodrome (Whew!) came to town. This ad appeared in the paper New Years Day. What…