October 26, 1910 Flower Parade

Back in January, I bid on and won this rare postcard that shows the line up of the Monroe Fair's Flower Parade. Using the microfilm of the News Star, I can tell you this was held at the Forsythe Park Racetrack on October 26, 1910 at 1 pm. The October 27th issue had a detailed article about … Continue reading October 26, 1910 Flower Parade →

The Barbarossa Baseball Team – 1914

Did you know West Monroe had a baseball team? In 1933, the above photo was published in the Ouachita Citizen. It was asked if anyone recognized the players. All they knew was that it was a baseball team called Barbarossa, and they played in West Monroe. Within a week, the public had given the answers. … Continue reading The Barbarossa Baseball Team – 1914 →

The Ball Park and Race Track at Forsythe Park – 1911

Here is a rare postcard showing the old Baseball field and race track at Forsythe park where the old golf field is now! Very few photos of this section of the park exist.

The Monroe Municipals

Meet the 1907 Monroe Municipals baseball team! As far as I know, they were the second baseball team formed in Monroe for the semi pros. They played only two years and were part of the Gulf Coast League. Most Monroe semi pro teams played the Cotton States League. They played in the stadium that was … Continue reading The Monroe Municipals →

Monroe Hill Citys Baseball Team

A couple of years ago, I found a photo for sale on Ebay of a Monroe team called the "Monroe Outlaws". I posted the photo and then the next day I had found and posted the above photo, stating I didn't know who they were but wondered if they were also the Outlaws. Last month … Continue reading Monroe Hill Citys Baseball Team →

The Monroe Elks Baseball Team – 1920

I found the above photo in a 1950 newspaper article. After doing a little research, I found that back in 1920, Mr. Haas was the coach of the Monroe Elks and their opening game was held at Forsythe Park on May 23, 1920. I would venture to guess it was taken that day. Baseball was … Continue reading The Monroe Elks Baseball Team – 1920 →

The Kings of Casino Park

About ten years ago, there was a push to put a historical marker in Monroe in honor of the 1932 Monroe Monarchs baseball team at the site where they played, where Casino Park once stood. Along with that marker, a book was written called "The Kings of Casino Park". It a great detailed account of … Continue reading The Kings of Casino Park →

A Baseball Player Jilts His Bride

This one is scandalous and involves a player from the early days of the Philadelphia Phillies known as Frank Tully. It appeared in the April 25, 1908 New Orleans Times-Picayune: FRANK SPARKS' BRIDE Goes Insane on Learning That BaseBall Player Deserts Her. Beautiful Monroe Girl, Who Secretly Wedded Last January, Said toBe Mentally Unbalanced. Monroe, … Continue reading A Baseball Player Jilts His Bride →

Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella appear at Casino Park

Monroe News-Star article Another jaw-dropper. Can you imagine seeing Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella play? WOW!

Monroe Baseball Team – 1905

And to go along with yesterday's post, I did a little online digging for the Spaulding guides and found they have been digitized at the Library of Congress. Here is another photo of the 1905 team. Notice that E.W. Mealy's studio took it. They are just labeled "Monroe (LA.) Team". No name. Wonder if they … Continue reading Monroe Baseball Team – 1905 →