Ouachita Parish History Tidbits

Author: Lora Diane Peppers

  • First Baptist Church, Monroe Postcard

    This is a great shot of the First Baptist Church building when it was brand new. Of course, it is now well over 100 years old! https://louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-orv%3A55

  • The Virginia Hotel – 1927

    This postcard caught my eye on eBay because I had never seen such a wide angle shot of the Virginia. A later postcard using this exact same angle, crops everything…

  • Sidney Saunders Monument, circa 1930

    This photo is interesting due to what is in the background! The monument, of course, is the Sidney W. Saunders monument in the Old City Cemetery. What strikes me about…

  • Armistice Day Celebration Program, November 11, 1937

    This one is incredible! It is a program of the Disabled American Veterans group for Armistice Day, celebrated at the old Monroe Colored High School. Some of the names of…

  • Christmas Festival Program For Neville High School, December 22, 1931

    https://louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-orv%3A72 This is a rare little document from our collection. According to the News Star, this was held at Neville High school and after the program the public was invited…

  • Campaign Postcards

    Another part of our political collection are some old postcards candidates mailed to registered voters. This one is for Monroe Mayoral candidate, Elmer Slagle (he didn’t win!) https://louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-orv%3A80 How about…

  • William Care Garnett – First Principal of Monroe City High School?

    I would say William C. Garnett would count as Monroe High School’s first principal. In the mid 1890’s Garnett appeared in Monroe and began work as the Assistant Principal at…

  • Voting ballots of Ouachita Parish

    Among the items my colleague has found going through the vertical files are some very old political items. Among them are some old sample ballots: April 7th, 1931 Democratic Primary…

  • 200 Block of DeSiard, circa 1920

    What you are looking at is a view up DeSiard street circa 1920. It is the 200 block of DeSiard. To get a sense of where you are, Art Alley…

  • Monroe Natatorium Salt Water Pipe.

    https://louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-orv%3A61 This postcard shows one of the pipes that filled the Natatorium pool, probably taken in the 1910’s. If you look close, you can also see the steam/gas coming out.…