Voice of the South, 1951

Mr. Carroll is of course, Morris Henry Carroll. He was principal of Monroe Colored High School. "The Voice of the South" was the first African-American radio program aired in Ouachita Parish. One thing I found is that when the school is referred to in the yearbook, a majority of the time it was referred to … Continue reading Voice of the South, 1951 →

Dedication Page, 1951

This page was another jaw dropper! Looking out from this page is probably one of the biggest names in Ouachita Parish educational history. Professor M.J. Foster. WOW! Mrs. H.W. Johnson is Mrs. Henrietta Windham Johnson, whom a community center on Berg Jones Lane is named for. She taught for fifty years. That means she was … Continue reading Dedication Page, 1951 →

Monroe Colored High School Football Team, 1951

Record: 7-1-1! Held opposing teams to only 59 points that season. Pretty dominant team back then!

Faculty of Monroe Colored High, 1951

The next four images from the yearbook are the Faculty pages. Take a look at some of the names. Carroll. Facen. Willis. B.D. ROBINSON! just to name a few. Big names in leadership, education and Civil Rights.

A Found Priceless Treasure!

Saturday, I happened to be shopping in Antique Alley. I have one favorite store that never disappoints me. This time was no different. Tucked in a pile of yearbooks, was a tattered blue book with "Bulldog: 1951" on the cover. I opened it up and lo and behold, it was a very rare yearbook for … Continue reading A Found Priceless Treasure! →

Rev. “Groaning” Smith at a Monroe Church

I saw this photo: https://louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/state-lwp%3A3078 several years ago and wondered about the pastor. I still don't know which church this was taken in. It dates to the 1930's and was taken by the WPA. Last week I was able to find a write-up about the pastor that explains his nickname. The News-Star, October 19, 1936, … Continue reading Rev. “Groaning” Smith at a Monroe Church →

Front Cover of Morris Henry Carroll’s Funeral Program

This came in the other day and I was struck by how well this captures this great educator's persona. Mr. Carroll, of course, was the principal of Monroe Colored High and Carroll High School, which was named for his grandfather.

The Story of a Colonial African-American in Ouachita Parish

I told you many months ago about Zadoc Harmon, a free man of color who lived in Ouachita Parish when it was still part of France and later Spain's territory. I stumbled across this fascinating blog the other day, which tells of another African-American resident of early Ouachita Parish named Charlot Roi: http://afrigeneantalking.ning.com/m/blogpost?id=3861583%3ABlogPost%3A29132

African-American Funeral Programs – The New Index

Several weeks ago, I published the index to the first fifty volumes of Ouachita Parish funeral home programs the Genealogy Department has collected over the years. When my colleague retired (she had started the work) I promised her that I would continue it as long as people brought me their programs to include. I'm currently … Continue reading African-American Funeral Programs – The New Index →

Robinson Business College, 1946

Photo from the Ouachita Parish Public Library Collection Over the next few days, I will be posting some photos that we need help identifying. If you recognize anyone in the photos, come by the library on 18th or give us a call at 318-327-1373. The only identification on this was Robinson Business College, 1946. The … Continue reading Robinson Business College, 1946 →