Ouachita Parish History Tidbits

Author: Lora Diane Peppers

  • 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…

  • Mac Ward, Claire Chennault and Whiting Willauer

    This picture was found in the collection of Mac Ward, housed in the Special Collections Department. Mac was a beloved fixture of KNOE News for many years. https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-pho%3A746 The man…

  • The Monroe Country Club, Circa 1913

    Australia comes through again! This time, with two exterior shots of the Monroe Country Club. https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-150289157/view https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-150289352/view I have posted in the past links to some interior shots of this…