The First Mardi Gras Parade in Monroe

Happy Mardi Gras! It is parade day in Monroe! I'll be on one of the floats tonight, but I'll be in disguise! If you recognize me, yell, "Throw me something!" Here is a Mardi Gras themed article I wrote for Road Trips a couple of years ago. Many people in the area believe the … Continue reading The First Mardi Gras Parade in Monroe →

The Love Story of Roland and Inez

I thought this would be a very appropriate story for Valentine's Day! Back in 2008, I found a forbidden love story, involving one of the most important families in Ouachita Parish history. I did not want to offend the family involved, but I really wanted to share the story since it was so beautiful and … Continue reading The Love Story of Roland and Inez →

The First Female Legally Hung in Ouachita

The first woman to be executed is quite unusual, since she made it all the way to a trial and legal execution. At the time of her death, the local citizens usually doled out the punishment themselves in the form of lynching. The facts of the case come down to us through newspaper … Continue reading The First Female Legally Hung in Ouachita →

Little Bell Baptist Church

This little church is located on the Perryville road between Hwy 165 and Hwy 139. I've loved this little church since I was a kid. It stands down the road from a big home I use to call "my plantation". "My plantation" burned many years ago, but the little church remains. The only change is … Continue reading Little Bell Baptist Church →

Monroe’s Legendary Bag Lady

Another article I wrote for Road Trips: There are a few in Monroe who remember a disheveled African-American homeless woman, wrapped in an old dress and coat with burlap bags wrapped on her feet. She was often seen wandering the streets of Monroe. Some of you may have gone to the play, “Honey Babe’s Treasure”, … Continue reading Monroe’s Legendary Bag Lady →

Wisner Colored High School

Wisner Colored High School was one of the earliest African-American high schools in Ouachita Parish. It was founded by the Barrington family right after the Civil War. The Excellence Academy school building sits on the site. This grainy newspaper clipping was recently found and was identified as Pruitt High School, 1915. The distinguished gentleman in … Continue reading Wisner Colored High School →

Ed Logan

The following article was published in the Monroe Morning Post, probably in the 1920's. It was undated and was found in the papers of the Garrett family. Very few issues of the Monroe Morning Post survive and the paper this appeared in was probably not preserved. It makes me sad to know that Mr. Logan … Continue reading Ed Logan →

African-American Education in Ouachita Parish Near the Turn of the Century

This is a tiny little key hole glimpse into the history of education in the African-American community of Monroe. It talks about a trade school that had been started by the local Baptist. The Times-Democrat, New Orleans, LA, May 26, 1902, Page 5 The seventh annual commencement of the North Louisiana Industrial High … Continue reading African-American Education in Ouachita Parish Near the Turn of the Century →

Logtown Legend

The WPA writers project in 1937 interviewed John B. Filhiol, who told the following story. Paul and Agatha were two of the slaves owned by Edward Landry Grammont Filhiol, son of Don Juan. Being of French blood, Paul and Agatha were great lovers of gumbo file. They smoked garfish in their chimneys to preserve … Continue reading Logtown Legend →

Louisiana Freedmen’s Bureau Office Records, Monroe, LA Indentures, Mar.-Nov., 1867

Right after the Civil War, orphaned African-Americans were "apprenticed" to local white families to learn a trade. The Louisiana Freedmen's Bureau took care of writing up the contracts and were supposed to make sure they were treated fairly. This is only covers a nine month period, and it makes you wonder what happened to the … Continue reading Louisiana Freedmen’s Bureau Office Records, Monroe, LA Indentures, Mar.-Nov., 1867 →