Ouachita Parish History Tidbits

Category: Uncategorized

  • Albert Gourville Breard (1892 – 1953) and woman.

    https://louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-pho%3A424 This little boy comes from the illustrious Breard and Filhiol families. His parents were Robert M. and Heloise A Filhiol Breard. The African-American lady with him is unidentified but…

  • Elenor Elvira Buffington – The Hidden Mother Photos

    https://louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-pho%3A453 This cute little girl was only a year old when her photo was taken circa 1872. If you look to the left of the photo, you can see she…

  • Memento Mori – The Victorian Post Mortem Photo

    This one breaks my heart two different ways: https://louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-pho%3A462 The first, because this little girl is unidentified. (Edit July 17, 2025: This has been tentatively identified as a girl from…

  • Isaiah and Narcissa Garrett

    These next two need no introduction. I have written thoroughly about them before. Isaiah Garrett: https://louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-pho%3A476 and Narcissa Grayson Garrett: https://louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-pho%3A475 They must have been close family friends, since I…

  • Christopher Hunt Dabbs

    The first photo I would like to highlight is the patriarch of all the Dabbs family in Ouachita Parish. Dr. Christopher Hunt Dabbs: https://louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-pho%3A430 He came to Monroe during the…

  • Dabbs Photo Album

    Over the last couple of weeks, my boss has been working hard to scan this particular collection of photos. Over the next few days I’ll be highlighting a few of…

  • Sanborn Map Online Collection Now Up to 1926!

    I have posted this link before: https://www.loc.gov/collections/sanborn-maps/?fa=location:louisiana%7Clocation:ouachita+parish which takes you to the Library of Congress Digital collection of Ouachita Parish Sanborn maps. When I posted, the collection only went up…

  • George E. Breece Lumber Company

    This one comes from the Ouachita Parish Public Library collection and was labeled ” Breece Sawmill”. https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-pho%3A14 I am not so sure. I think it is the same mill, but…

  • Missouri Pacific Railroad Booster Club Song Fest, 1942

    Anyone recognize these faces? https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-pho%3A175 This happened in February, 1942 in the Booster Club Hall in Monroe. It is a part of the Ouachita Parish Public Library’s photo collection.

  • The New Madrid Earthquake of 1811-12 felt in Ouachita Parish

    Wednesday I was thumbing through a book we have called, “The Muse Family of Pointe Coupee Parish” compiled by Mrs. Katie Prince Ward Esker in 1943. The Muse family is…