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."

A Parade Down DeSiard, circa 1937.

This last photo from the collection I bought, is a bit of a puzzle. The seller claimed the three photos were from 1937, but the flood photo was 1932. There were a TON of parades going on throughout 1937. It seemed like every convention, rodeo and circus held in the city had to have a … Continue reading A Parade Down DeSiard, circa 1937. →

DeSiard Street at the Turn of the Century

This is a super rare postcard I bought off of eBay a few weeks ago. The photographer is standing in the 100 block of DeSiard Street, with their back to the bridge. W.B. & I. Smith on the right was located at 112 DeSiard. They opened the store in 1905. Just down from it a … Continue reading DeSiard Street at the Turn of the Century →

Dr. Pepper Bottling Plant

I found this wonderful site called Historypin, which has historical photos from around the country pinned to the sites on a map where they were taken. One of the sites pinned had a photo of the Dr. Pepper Bottling Plant in Monroe, which stood at 2717 DeSiard Street. It is from the collection of the … Continue reading Dr. Pepper Bottling Plant →

Siesta Apartment-Hotel – 1963

This rare postcard shows the Siesta, which operated at 5200 DeSiard Road (Street). The building still stands today, although the pool was long since filled in and covered. It is now known as the Economy Inn, right across the street from the Waterfront Grill!

Royal Confectionary Interior

Here is another rare postcard showing the interior of the Royal Confectionary in the 200 block of De Siard Street. Look at that tin ceiling!

A & W Sandwich Shop – 1936

It seems every town once had an A & W Sandwich shop at one time! This one was located at 326 DeSiard Street. The ad appeared in the 1936 telephone directory I told you about in an earlier post. You can see the entire directory here: https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-orv%3A131 .