Ouachita Parish History Tidbits

Category: Uncategorized

  • Monroe Streetcar

    From the dress, this was taken in the 30’s or 40’s. The Municipal Street Railway system in Monroe was begun in 1906 as a city improvement project of Mayor Forsythe.…

  • Monroe Electric Light Plant

    This rare postcard shows the Electric Light Plant in Monroe. This one one of Mayor Forsythe’s projects.

  • Early Ouachita Parish School Bus

    The above photo shows one of the early Ouachita Parish school buses. Doesn’t look very safe!

  • DeSiard Street Circa 1905

    This is the intersection of Grand and DeSiard Streets. The Hip Marks building is on the right. It is now the site of Henry Bry Park.

  • Birdseye View of Monroe

    Taken circa 1920, this shows a view of the heart of Monroe from the old City Hall. The street in front of the bank building is South Grand.

  • The First Car in Monroe

    The above photo was taken at the corner of North 2nd and DeSiard Street. The piano store was Emile Kaliski, which is now the site of the Palace. Behind the…

  • An unidentified Mealy photo

    The above photo was found by me a few years ago in an Antique Alley shop. On the back it states that it was a product of the Mealy photo…

  • Lea Joyner Bridge

    I love this postcard, since it shows in stark detail how much the area has changed. There is not near the amount of green seen here left!

  • Steamer Bob Blanks in 1907

    The above photo comes from a scrapbook held in the Special Collections department. It shows the Pargoud Line steamboat the Bob Blanks coming through one of the bridges at Monroe.…

  • Virginia Hotel Restaurant

    Postcard showing the Virginia Hotel Restaurant. It was the place to be seen in it’s day!