Monroe National Bank Building

From the May 13, 1893 Worlds Fair Edition of the Monroe Evening News. The above building was built in 1889 on DeSiard Street at the head of First Street, now Walnut. It was directly behind the Breard Mercantile. The bank later moved to St. John. It is unknown when the building was torn down but … Continue reading Monroe National Bank Building →

The Grand Dame of Monroe: The Palace Department Store Building

For over seventy-five years, the Palace Department store was the Grand Dame of DeSiard Street. People came from miles around to do their shopping inside its walls. Many long time residents mourned its passing when the doors closed in 1982. For twenty-seven years the building sat empty and barren. The building received new life and … Continue reading The Grand Dame of Monroe: The Palace Department Store Building →

Bustling DeSiard Street circa 1945

This photo just amazes me because of how very busy downtown once was! You are looking up the street from about the 200 block of DeSiard.

DeSiard in Snow

A few weeks back, I shared a photo of a street scene at the corner of DeSiard and Jackson Street. This is the same spot but at a different angle. You can see the Palais Royal, The F.W. Woolworth Building and the Willard Hotel. The Bernhardt building is seen in the distance.

DeSiard Street circa 1910

It seems DeSiard Street was a popular focus of many Monroe postcards. This one shows DeSiard street from the Endom bridge. To give you an idea as to where you are, the Hip Marks building on the right (originally Breard Mercantile) is now the site of Henry Bry park.

The Third Masonic Temple

The Masons have a long history in Ouachita Parish. One of the prettiest buildings in it's time was the Masonic Temple on the corner of 4th and DeSiard Streets. This was taken circa 1923.

DeSiard Street 1920’s

And this is nearly the same shot, but about ten or so years later. Notice the Vantage building is going up in the distance. De Siard Street, Looking West. Monroe, LA

DeSiard Street – 1907

The above photo appeared in a 1907 Shreveport newspaper. I think the building on the right is next to 3rd street and the empty lot is where the Sugar/Saenger/Paramont theater would eventually be built.

Lyceum Theatre

This building once stood in the 100 block of DeSiard Street almost directly across from St. John. It opened December 29, 1909 as a vaudeville and movie theater. It boasted a seating capacity of 500 and a four piece orchestra. it was torn down around 1928.

Bustling DeSiard Street in the late 1920s

This is a DeSiard Street photo that sits on top of a shelf in the Genealogy Department of the Ouachita Parish Public Library. It shows a traffic policeman directing a nicely dressed woman at the corner of DeSiard and Jackson Streets. Judging from the style of dress, and knowing the Palais Royal opened in 1925, … Continue reading Bustling DeSiard Street in the late 1920s →