Ouachita Parish History Tidbits

Author: Lora Diane Peppers

  • January, The Tailor Ad – 1929

    How about his ad, also from the 1929 phone book. Mr. Ibra B. January needs no introduction. He was the best tailor Monroe has ever seen and was a pioneer…

  • Joe Messina Seafood ad – 1929

    From the 1929 telephone directory, I saw this little ad. Joe came to Monroe from Cefalu, Italy in 1906 (according to his obituary). For fifty years he ran a local…

  • Norris Syrup Company Ad – 1931

    I found two old phone books from Monroe for sale on Ebay and bought both for the library. This ad from the 1931 phonebook caught my eye. Keep in mind,…

  • Everett True Teaches People the Value of Politeness!

    Back in the 20’s, the News Star ran a comic strip called “Everett True”. The plot of each strip was always about Mr. True bringing punishment down on someone who…

  • Eddie Cantor Performs at Neville

    The above ad appeared in the News Star in 1950. From about the 20s – 40’s, Eddie Cantor was a HUGE Hollywood star! His singing and comedy routines were legendary.…

  • Natchez Catholic Sisters Come to Help in Monroe

    Another book I have found on the Internet Archives site is a book called, “Angels of the Battlefield: A history of the Labors of the Catholic Sisterhoods in the Late…

  • A National Revival Movement Comes to Monroe

    Imagine if Billy Graham ever came to Monroe for a revival. Back in 1895, the Methodists had that level of a national revivalist. His name was Sam P. Jones, and…

  • Loyalty

    Have you ever heard Jerry Clower’s bit about how Delta Airlines kept their board meetings in Monroe? It is guaranteed to put a smile on your face!

  • The Biedenharn Family Opens Monroe’s Coca Cola Plant

    The last picture I will share of the Mac Ward collection, is one showing Mr. Ward interviewing the Biedenharn family for the grand opening of the Monroe Coca Cola plant…

  • The First American in Space Makes a Stop in Monroe

    Here is another photo from the Mac Ward collection, showing Mr. Ward interviewing the great astronaut Alan B. Shepard, Jr. in Monroe. I found a newspaper article that stated he…