https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-pho%3A307 This photo shows the school building probably not long after it was built in the mid 20's. Just a heads up: Some FABULOUS historical artifacts and photos have been donated to us last week! I can't wait to show them to you in the coming days!
Tag: African-American History
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 was most likely his nanny. Her eyes caught me as soon as I saw the photo. She is decked out in her Sunday finest, wearing … Continue reading Albert Gourville Breard (1892 – 1953) and woman.
Two Unidentified Monroe Portraits
I found these on the Portal to Texas History page. One is a Mealy photo and the other is a Harper photo. This first one is the Harper photo of a middle-aged African American man. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth907704/ The second is the Mealy photo of two young African American boys in knee britches. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth907748/ I wonder who … Continue reading Two Unidentified Monroe Portraits
Ivory Joe Hunter at the Three Mile Inn
Jack Angell founded the Three Mile Inn way back in the 1930's. During WWII, it became an NCO Club for Selman Field. It is said it had a glass dance floor. Local boys would swim under the building to peek under the girls' skirts! This 1953 ad states Ivory Joe Hunter was playing at the … Continue reading Ivory Joe Hunter at the Three Mile Inn
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 it are all the buildings in the background that are no longer there! The only one still there is the Miller Roy Building, which is … Continue reading Sidney Saunders Monument, circa 1930
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 the speakers are big ones! https://louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-orv%3A71
Some Tidbits About Richard Barrington
Among Dr. Williams' papers was a file with Richard Barrington's name on it. Inside were copies of some sheets of paper with info written on them. Richard W. Barrington The first document was a paragraph which relates Mr. Barrington's dates of birth and death, along with some info about how he became a slave of … Continue reading Some Tidbits About Richard Barrington
Collens Five Point Pharmacy
This building was another one that stood in the 600 block of DeSiard Street, right at the corner of 6th: https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/lsu-sc-p16313coll52%3A1162 I am guessing that window is where African-American clientele picked up their prescriptions, since they were not allowed under Jim Crow laws to enter the whites only front entrance. I am not sure though. … Continue reading Collens Five Point Pharmacy
1947 Photo of DeSiard Street
This photo was labeled, "Negro quarter on Main Street, Monroe, Louisiana." in the Louisiana Digital Library: https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/lsu-sc-p16313coll52%3A1163 . It is a photo from the LSU Special Collections. I did a little digging in the 47-48 Monroe City Directory, and the scene depicted here shows a strip of buildings that once stood next to the New … Continue reading 1947 Photo of DeSiard Street
African-American Schools in Ouachita Parish Before 1970.
City and Parish schools were not integrated until 1971. Before then, the races were educated separately. Schools such as Wisner, Myles, Terzia, Boley, Monroe Colored High, etc. were all created to educate African-American students. A patron last week, brought to my attention a website which has compiled a history of African-American schools across the state … Continue reading African-American Schools in Ouachita Parish Before 1970.
Ouachita Parish History Tidbits 