Ouachita Parish History Tidbits

Author: Lora Diane Peppers

  • Ouachita Veterans of the War of 1812

    I was browsing through Dr. Williams’ book, “Founding Families of the Ouachita Valley” Part Three and there was a section about Col. William Wood. He was the grandfather of William…

  • By-Laws of Ouachita Rebekah Lodge No. 84 I.O.O.F. Monroe, LA

    This one is interesting. I got this little booklet from eBay earlier this year and I still don’t know how old it is. There is no date on it. Mr.…

  • Saltwater Natatorium – Circa 1912

    Here is another postcard I bought off of eBay earlier this month. It was postmarked 1912. It is a view of the Natatorium I have never seen before! I would…

  • Ouachita Parish Rosenwald Schools

    Just after the Civil War, the Freedmen’s Bureau, along with local African American churches, established the first schools in the south for the formerly enslaved. After Reconstruction ended, education for…

  • The Monroe Municipal Airport Terminal

    Here is a recent postcard acquisition from eBay. It shows the fairly new terminal, which had been dedicated May 23, 1965. The postcard bragged it was ultra-modern and could accommodate…

  • The Cantillon Settlers

    Tuesday’s post had me thinking about the Cantillon settlement, established over three hundred years ago. Who were these people? If you remember my post a while ago on it, I…

  • Fort Miro/Ouachita Settlement Semiquincentennial Coin

    I found this curious coin for sale on eBay and bought it. I have it in a holder, hence the white “fingers” holding it in place. After a little research,…

  • O.P. Slack Grocery Decorative Plate

    One of the latest donations to the library is a decorative plate made for O.P. Slack Grocery. It is well over 100 years old. Usually, businesses would give these out…

  • Rio Vista Hotel Apartments

    Here is one building I never knew about! This little postcard popped up for sale on eBay and you know I had to have it! It was identified as the…

  • Biographical Sketches of the European Immigrants of Northeast Louisiana, 1880-1900

    The above book, compiled by William Francis and Debra Nance Lawrence in 1982, is a treasure trove of biographical information on northeast Louisiana European immigrants of the late 1800’s. I…