Women Who Lead the Way in Ouachita Parish

I was asked to write an article about some of the women who made history in Ouachita Parish. I chose Louisa Lamy McGuire, Eliza Pinkston and Mary Goss. You can read the article here: https://www.monroe-westmonroe.org/blog/women-who-led-the-way-in-ouachita-parish

The Ritz Theater

The below photo shows a rare view of the old Ritz theater, which was the only African American theater in town during segregation. It was located at 911 DeSiard street, right down from the Miller-Roy and next to Pierce's Pharmacy.

The First African-American That Tried to Integrate ULM

The first African-Americans to integrate ULM were Sarah McCoy (Abakwue) and Bobby Saucier in 1964, and the first to graduate was Donald Wayne Smith in 1967, but did you know there were efforts at integration all the way back in 1952? I found this interesting article in the Pittsburg (PA) Courier of February 9, 1952: … Continue reading The First African-American That Tried to Integrate ULM →

A Proposed New Building For the Monroe Academy

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 →

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 →