Did you know that Monroe had an all-black Fire Company crew during Reconstruction? They organized in early 1874 and since the Ouachita Fire Company, No 1 had just gotten a new steam fire engine, the new crew were given the old hand engine called Creole, No. 9. They called themselves "the Aetnas" (Aetna Fire Co., … Continue reading First African-American Firefighters in Monroe – 1874
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The Klan Wanted to Have a Parade in Monroe on Mardi Gras Day.
In early February of 1925, Mayor Arnold Bernstein and Commissioner Will Atkinson received the following letter from a member of the Monroe KKK: Monroe, Louisiana,February 7th, 1925 To the Honorable Mayor and Commission Council,City of Monroe, Louisiana. Gentlemen: Monroe Klan No. 102, Knights of the Klu Klux Klan wish to hold a parade on the … Continue reading The Klan Wanted to Have a Parade in Monroe on Mardi Gras Day.
"Twain" by William Gilbert Faulk
Last year in my favorite antique store on Antique Alley, I found this little book. I bought it, thinking the library did not have a copy. We did. I have just added it to my personal collection. It is a great little collection of articles Mr. Faulk published in the Ouachita Citizen between 1967 and … Continue reading "Twain" by William Gilbert Faulk
First Church of Christ Scientist
This congregation first organized in Monroe in the late 1909. After bouncing around in several buildings in Monroe, they built an edifice on the corner of Auburn and N. 2nd in the Garden District in 1932. They later moved to Filhiol Avenue and the above building is now the home of the Auburn Avenue Presbyterian … Continue reading First Church of Christ Scientist
Frances Hotel Rumpus Room
Did you know the Frances Hotel had a beer bar? Yep! It was put in after prohibition. Later, a ladies cocktail room was added. The bar was made of mahogany and inlaid wood! I love the slogan in some of the old ads: "Where good fellows get together!"
St. Francis Hospital
How about this view of the original St. Francis Hospital? Judging from the car out front, I would guess this was taken in the early 1920's.
Early View of LTI
This is an old postcard I have never seen before. It shows the original buildings of the Louisiana Training Institute campus.
