Ouachita Parish History Tidbits

Category: Uncategorized

  • Sidney Saunders Monument, circa 1930

    This photo is interesting due to what is in the background! The monument, of course, is the Sidney W. Saunders monument in the Old City Cemetery. What strikes me about…

  • Armistice Day Celebration Program, November 11, 1937

    This one is incredible! It is a program of the Disabled American Veterans group for Armistice Day, celebrated at the old Monroe Colored High School. Some of the names of…

  • Christmas Festival Program For Neville High School, December 22, 1931

    https://louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-orv%3A72 This is a rare little document from our collection. According to the News Star, this was held at Neville High school and after the program the public was invited…

  • Campaign Postcards

    Another part of our political collection are some old postcards candidates mailed to registered voters. This one is for Monroe Mayoral candidate, Elmer Slagle (he didn’t win!) https://louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-orv%3A80 How about…

  • William Care Garnett – First Principal of Monroe City High School?

    I would say William C. Garnett would count as Monroe High School’s first principal. In the mid 1890’s Garnett appeared in Monroe and began work as the Assistant Principal at…

  • Voting ballots of Ouachita Parish

    Among the items my colleague has found going through the vertical files are some very old political items. Among them are some old sample ballots: April 7th, 1931 Democratic Primary…

  • 200 Block of DeSiard, circa 1920

    What you are looking at is a view up DeSiard street circa 1920. It is the 200 block of DeSiard. To get a sense of where you are, Art Alley…

  • Monroe Natatorium Salt Water Pipe.

    https://louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-orv%3A61 This postcard shows one of the pipes that filled the Natatorium pool, probably taken in the 1910’s. If you look close, you can also see the steam/gas coming out.…

  • A Political Postcard featuring Mayor A.A. Forsythe

    https://louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-orv%3A62 This is a postcard from our collection showing a rooster and a photo of Mayor Forsythe. Why a rooster you may ask? The symbol of the Democratic party was…

  • A List of Past Principals of Ouachita Parish High School

    I got curious last week and decided to compile a list of all the Principals who have served OPHS. I started all the way back in 1894 when the Original…