Varino’s Grocery Building

Earlier this month, I saw a post on Facebook, announcing a historic grant was given to remodel the old Varino building at 200 Commerce Street in West Monroe, next to the Flying Heart Brewery. I'm very excited about this, since the building is probably over 120 years old! I have also heard it has a … Continue reading Varino’s Grocery Building →

City Grocery on Catalpa

This looks like it was taken in the 1920's. The store opened in March, 1921 at 104 Catalpa Street, "Behind the Phoenix Drug Store". It was owned by Mr. James L. Folmer, whom I believe is the man behind the register on the right. Later in the 1920's, "... & Market" was added to the … Continue reading City Grocery on Catalpa →

The E.E. Johnson Service Station

This postcard is a rare one from the 1920's. When I saw it come up for sale on eBay, I had to have it! It came in last month. The postmark on the back is dated 1929. The first mention of the E.E. Johnson Service Station in the local newspapers came in 1926. This site … Continue reading The E.E. Johnson Service Station →

The Dispenza Grocery

George Dispenza was born in Palermo, Sicily in 1881. When he was twenty, he came to America and settled in Monroe. George opened a store at 117 DeSiard Street, although I found evidence of another store of his at the corner of 14th and Washington. I think the above photo shows him and his wife … Continue reading The Dispenza Grocery →

UCV Marker Found

Over the Christmas break, I had a chance to wander the Old City Cemetery, looking for those markers the UCV placed to mark the graves of unmarked Confederate veterans back in the 20's or so (See the "I Broke a Code Tuesday" post for further info.) I found only one of them in the back … Continue reading UCV Marker Found →

Kansas Plantation is sold

I'm beginning to learn roughly where these plantations in eastern Monroe were (again...roughly). I found a front-page article in the News-Star June 22, 1920 headlined, "Plans for Transfer of "Kansas" Plantation Is Sold For $86,000: 436 Acres To Be Orphanage Site". Basically, John P. Parker, Sr. sold the plantation to the Baptist Church as the … Continue reading Kansas Plantation is sold →

Tennille Ancestral Home (Limerick Plantation) is Torn Down

Can you tell I have been researching old homes a bit? This one just about makes me want to cry, since Limerick was probably built before 1810. The site is now known as the Sherrouse House next to Tennille Cemetery. News-Star, July 16, 1928, Page 5 Motorists driving out DeSiard road have been watching with … Continue reading Tennille Ancestral Home (Limerick Plantation) is Torn Down →

The End of Travelers Rest Plantation

The Ouachita Citizen, Friday, October 4, 1946, Page 1 TRAVELERS REST MANOR IS RAZED Mrs. McGuire Will Build Modern Home at Site of Landmark "Travelers Rest," the ancient home of the McGuires and one of the oldest man-made landmarks in North Louisiana, has been completely razed to make way for a new and modern home, … Continue reading The End of Travelers Rest Plantation →

West Monroe Landmark Torn Down

Ouachita Citizen, May 26, 1933, Page 1 CITY'S LARGEST BUILDING RAZED: ONE-TIME GATHERING PLACE FOR STOCKMEN NOW ONLY A MEMORY Big Structure, Its Usefulness Ended By the Universal Acceptance of the Motor Car, and Damaged By Elements and Age, is Salvaged for Building Material Another old landmark is gone from West Monroe. For years it … Continue reading West Monroe Landmark Torn Down →

What Plantation?

This is a bit frustrating. I am familiar with the names of plantations, but I don't really know the exact area they stood in. I can tell you exactly where Limerick Plantation stood (on the site of Sherrouse House), but some of the others in that same area, nope. That is frustrating at the moment, … Continue reading What Plantation? →