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.

Balsamo Esso Station – 1963

Check out this 1963 ad of the Balsamo Esso Station, owned by Mr. James J. Balsamo across from the College in the 4000 block of DeSiard. I am assuming that is Mr. Balsamo in the doorway.

Monroe’s First Entertainment Venue

I was curious a couple of weeks ago, and decided to look into what was Monroe's first concert/entertainment venue. As far as I have been able to determine, that would be Gerspach & Herring's Opera House on DeSiard Street, across from where St. John comes in. The swimming pool for 141 Lofts now sits on … Continue reading Monroe’s First Entertainment Venue →

Ouachita Parish High School Homecoming Parade, circa 1959

I found this photo in the 1960 Roarer yearbook. I think it was probably the homecoming parade, since the float has something about "Ski Bearkats..." Ruston perhaps? The float and band are right at the corner of DeSiard and Catalpa streets. You can see Bell's Pharmacy, Dew Music Co., Silverstein's Women's Clothing, Keene's Shoe Store, … Continue reading Ouachita Parish High School Homecoming Parade, circa 1959 →

The Paramount Theater is Torn Down

This clipping from 1975 just makes me MAD! It is the epitome of the lyrics, "They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot."