February 25, 1984 Black History Month Parade

Carroll High School Drum Majors Daniel Kidd and Todd Johnson lead the band down DeSiard during the 1984 Black History parade, 41 years ago today.

Large Snowfall on DeSiard

76 years ago, downtown Monroe had a record snowfall of 9 inches. The below photo was taken from the Bernhardt building and published in the News Star Jan. 31, 1949.

Spatafora Pharmacy Grand Opening Announcement- March, 1927

This building still stands at the corner of DeSiard and N 8th streets, next to the DeSiard Street Shelter. I never realized the building was that old!

Merry Christmas!

I just wanted to share a beautiful ad from the News Star 100 years ago today! The issue was full of these Christmas greetings ads from local businesses! Isn't the artwork gorgeous! May your Christmas this year be filled with happiness. Thank you all so much for reading my little corner of the internet!

Railroad Competition Mystery

Ok people. I'm stumped. I THINK, this may be at the corner of DeSiard and South Grand streets. I bought this off of Ebay the day before Thanksgiving and I've been stumped ever since. The problem with it being South Grand and Desiard, is the one story building immediately to the left in the image. … Continue reading Railroad Competition Mystery →

The Bernhardt Building in 1948

A Bish Mathis Institute Newsletter from 1948 came across my desk last week and on the front cover was this great photo of downtown Monroe. You can see the side of the Palace Department store in the foreground, along with the Bernhardt building, which housed BMI. All of those buildings next to the Palace are … Continue reading The Bernhardt Building in 1948 →

Interior of Allen’s Pharmacy, circa 1913

Interesting clipping! This was identified as Allen's pharmacy, taken sometime between 1910 and 1915. The men were identified: the man behind the soda fountain is William Everett Allen. The man in the foreground is C.R. Russell Sr. The men behind him are Francis Barringer, George Trousdale and Gordon Wright. The building was sold to John … Continue reading Interior of Allen’s Pharmacy, circa 1913 →

1962 Movie Premier at the Paramount

On June 8, 1962, a world premiere of a documentary movie called "Savage!" opened at the Paramount theater on DeSiard Street. It starred Bastrop native Bill Carpenter and followed him on safari in Rhodesia. The above picture shows that opening crowd.

The Third Masonic Temple

How about this postcard of the third Masonic Temple. It was on the corner of DeSiard and 4th. Sadly, it was torn down.

The Palace Going Out of Business Sale

Here is a sad picture. It appeared in the newspaper in mid November of 1982. The Palace was in the middle of it's going out of business sale.