A Fascinating Scrapbook For Our Collection

Last week, a scrapbook full of pristine candid photos was given to the library. It was about to be thrown into the garbage when it was rescued. What it contained were the personal photos of Inez Marie Schneider Dickinson, taken between 1927 and 1932. Inside were scenes of the 1927 and 1932 floods in Monroe, … Continue reading A Fascinating Scrapbook For Our Collection →

A Yankee Buried by Confederate Veterans

One of the sweetest stories I have found, concerns the burial of a Union veteran handled by the Henry W. Allen Camp of United Confederate Veterans. Fifteen or so years ago, a lady contacted me for information on a Union soldier that had been buried in the Old Monroe City Cemetery. She was indexing … Continue reading A Yankee Buried by Confederate Veterans →

Carolyn Rose Strauss

Many of you have heard of the Carolyn Rose Strauss Senior Center, the Carolyn Rose Strauss Rehabilitation Center and of the Strauss Little Theater, but do you know the little girl who they are named for? 1945 Monroyan tribute page. In late August of 1944, fifteen year old Carolyn Rose Strauss was attending a camp … Continue reading Carolyn Rose Strauss →

Kern’s Kiddie Land

My generation had Howard Griffin Land O' Toys, but previous generations remember Kern's Kiddie Land. 1956 ad. My boss has found a transcript of an interview with Joseph Kern, owner and founder of Kern's Kiddie Land. It will probably be included in our online files in the future. He describes the businesses that were in … Continue reading Kern’s Kiddie Land →

Did you know…

In honor of what would have been parade day in Monroe/West Monroe, I found this little tidbit. I forgot to mention it in yesterday's presentation. The year after Monroe's first parade in 1984, "Mr. Mardi Gras" himself, Blaine Kern came to Monroe and designed a few floats for the Krewe of Janus! I didn't know … Continue reading Did you know… →

Northeast Louisiana State College Postcard

I had never seen this postcard before! These buildings are all still there.

History of Mardi Gras in Monroe program tomorrow!

Just a heads-up! Tomorrow morning at 10:30 on the Ouachita Parish Facebook page, I will be going live to talk about the history of Mardi Gras in Monroe! I'll touch on the Mardi Gras Ball in 1869, the XYZ club parades of the 30's and 40's all the way up to the Krewes of Janus … Continue reading History of Mardi Gras in Monroe program tomorrow! →

The Founders of the Young Catholics’ Friends’ Society of Monroe, Louisiana – 1870

Here is another little gem I found, in the collection of Villanova University in PA. It is the "Articles of Incorporation, Constitution and By-Laws of the Young Catholics' Friends' Society of Monroe, Louisiana". A librarian there was kind enough to scan the little pamphlet and send it to me. One thing I loved was that … Continue reading The Founders of the Young Catholics’ Friends’ Society of Monroe, Louisiana – 1870 →

“Dr. Box” The Apple Man: Mr. Thomas “Tom” Davidson Reid

Among Monroe's beloved colorful characters was a fruit salesman named Tom Reid. When Mr. Reid could no longer walk the streets of Monroe peddling his wares, he ran errands for Mr. Noe at KNOE and Albert Thibeaux to earn his keep. They ended up serving as pallbearers at his funeral in July, 1948. The Apple … Continue reading “Dr. Box” The Apple Man: Mr. Thomas “Tom” Davidson Reid →

From Indian Trails to Modern Highways: A History of (the) Ouachita Parish Road System

In 1939, a little informational magazine was put together about the history of Ouachita Parish roads and their development. Sprinkled throughout the document are Griffin photos taken all over the parish. You will be amazed at what once passed for roads here! This is another part of the Library's collection that was added to the … Continue reading From Indian Trails to Modern Highways: A History of (the) Ouachita Parish Road System →