A Mealy Photo Mystery.

In the time around the Civil War, the Larkin Jamar family moved to Richland parish from Alabama. One of them went to Monroe to have E.W. Mealy take his photograph and I happened to acquire said image. J.J. Jamar? How do I know it is a Jamar family member? Written on the back is the … Continue reading A Mealy Photo Mystery. →

South Grand Street Covered in Snow, circa 1870.

The above photo has been reproduced several times through the years. I don't know where the original is, or even if it is still in existence. According to the caption, this shows South Grand Street in 1870 after a snow. The bottom right bare lot is where the Austin's building now stands. The perspective leaves … Continue reading South Grand Street Covered in Snow, circa 1870. →

An Unknown Mealy Photo

I love Ebay! Over the weekend, I saw two unknown E.W. Mealy photos come up for auction. I was the only bidder. This first one I felt no familiarity with. If anyone can put a name with him, let me know! The other photo, I hit the jackpot! I'll tell you about it in tomorrow's … Continue reading An Unknown Mealy Photo →

Little Mildred Lee Watson

This is another Mealy Photo I found in a local antique store. It shows little Mildred Lee Watson, 3 1/2 years old. She lived well into her mid 90's! As a little girl, she is just as cute as a button! https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-pho%3A522

Two Unidentified Monroe Portraits

I found these on the Portal to Texas History page. One is a Mealy photo and the other is a Harper photo. This first one is the Harper photo of a middle-aged African American man. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth907704/ The second is the Mealy photo of two young African American boys in knee britches. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth907748/ I wonder who … Continue reading Two Unidentified Monroe Portraits →

South Grand Street, circa 1873

South Grand Street gathering, circa 1873. This is the third oldest photo of Monroe I have ever seen. Only the two photos of the 1871 fire are older. It shows South Grand Street, where a parade seems to be happening. I've seen grainy copies published in the News-Star and in Dr. Williams' book, "Founding Families … Continue reading South Grand Street, circa 1873 →

A page of ads from the 1915 Pelican

Continuing on with the Ouachita Parish High School yearbook of 1915, here is a page of ads. I just love the photographer's picture! Mr. Church had bought out the studio of E.W. Mealy right after he died.

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 →

Unknown Mealy Photo #2

Photo Number 1625b, Ouachita Parish Public Library photo collection This is the last unidentified photo. If you recognize the man in the photo, come by the library on 18th or give us a call at 318-327-1373. This one is another Mealy. It is another Mealy photo I found in an antique store and donated to … Continue reading Unknown Mealy Photo #2 →

An unidentified Mealy photo

Photo 1625B from the Ouachita Parish Public Library's photo collection. The above photo was found by me a few years ago in an Antique Alley shop. On the back it states that it was a product of the Mealy photo studio, which I knew to be one of Monroe's oldest. Whenever I see a Mealy … Continue reading An unidentified Mealy photo →