Wouldn't this have been a gorgeous building? This was published in the Monroe News Star back in 1913. Professor Foster and the trustees of the Monroe Academy were looking to expand the school space and the following conceptual drawing was made. It never happened to my knowledge. Ten years later, Monroe Colored High School would … Continue reading A Proposed New Building For the Monroe Academy
Category: African-American History
Students in Other Parish schools
Last week, I told you about the Monroe Academy, a Leland University affiliate private school for African-American students at the turn of the last century. Leland had affiliate schools all over Louisiana in the 1890s and 1900s and some Ouachita Parish students were sent to these other schools! If the student lived in the western … Continue reading Students in Other Parish schools
Henrietta Winham Johnson Recreation Center Program – 1962
This is another Rec Center program, this one is from the opening of the Johnson Rec Center. It is the same format as the Marbles program, with Henrietta's biographical information in it: https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-orv%3A107 I have been thoroughly enjoying all the hidden priceless gems we have been finding in our collection! More is coming as we … Continue reading Henrietta Winham Johnson Recreation Center Program – 1962
The Dedication of Terzia High School
Terzia was the forerunner of Richwood High School. It was dedicated in 1952. This rare program is in the Library's collection and has been digitized on the Louisiana Digital Library. https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-orv%3A108
Zion Traveler Church Fellowship, circa 1945
This photo from our collection is only identified as Zion Traveler Baptist Church. https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-pho%3A35 It shows people seated around tables eating, wearing their Sunday best. From the clothing, it appears to have been taken in the 40's or so. If you will notice, there are pews pulled up to the tables for seating! One gentleman … Continue reading Zion Traveler Church Fellowship, circa 1945
Reported Lynchings in Ouachita Parish
I have posted before, listing reports of lynchings that have been found in Ouachita Parish newspapers. I can see the stats that show what articles are looked at and at least once a week or more, someone is looking at that list. That got me curious as to how many known lynchings there are in … Continue reading Reported Lynchings in Ouachita Parish
Some Tidbits About Richard Barrington
Among Dr. Williams' papers was a file with Richard Barrington's name on it. Inside were copies of some sheets of paper with info written on them. Richard W. Barrington The first document was a paragraph which relates Mr. Barrington's dates of birth and death, along with some info about how he became a slave of … Continue reading Some Tidbits About Richard Barrington
Collens Five Point Pharmacy
This building was another one that stood in the 600 block of DeSiard Street, right at the corner of 6th: https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/lsu-sc-p16313coll52%3A1162 I am guessing that window is where African-American clientele picked up their prescriptions, since they were not allowed under Jim Crow laws to enter the whites only front entrance. I am not sure though. … Continue reading Collens Five Point Pharmacy
1947 Photo of DeSiard Street
This photo was labeled, "Negro quarter on Main Street, Monroe, Louisiana." in the Louisiana Digital Library: https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/lsu-sc-p16313coll52%3A1163 . It is a photo from the LSU Special Collections. I did a little digging in the 47-48 Monroe City Directory, and the scene depicted here shows a strip of buildings that once stood next to the New … Continue reading 1947 Photo of DeSiard Street
Slave sale in Monroe.
Ad from the Monroe Register Newspaper, February 9, 1860. This just makes me shiver. Notice how Granville and Lucinda were husband and wife. Five years later, they all would be free. Did Granville and Lucinda get sold together or were they separated? If they were separated, did they find each other again after freedom came? … Continue reading Slave sale in Monroe.