Ouachita Parish History Tidbits

Author: Lora Diane Peppers

  • 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…

  • Pierce’s Pharmacy – The First Black Pharmacy in Monroe

    This is an ad from the News-Star in the mid 1920’s for the first African American pharmacy in Monroe, founded by R.O. Pierce.

  • 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.