The Monroe Municipals

Meet the 1907 Monroe Municipals baseball team! As far as I know, they were the second baseball team formed in Monroe for the semi pros. They played only two years and were part of the Gulf Coast League. Most Monroe semi pro teams played the Cotton States League. They played in the stadium that was … Continue reading The Monroe Municipals →

The History of the American Legion Building

Have you ever been interested in the history of the big white building standing at Forsythe Park? Yesterday, a colleague discovered another WPA paper in our files about the American Legion Post headquarters. It even gives a little information on the saga of Unalaska, with a more precise location as to where he was first … Continue reading The History of the American Legion Building →

The Monroe Elks Baseball Team – 1920

I found the above photo in a 1950 newspaper article. After doing a little research, I found that back in 1920, Mr. Haas was the coach of the Monroe Elks and their opening game was held at Forsythe Park on May 23, 1920. I would venture to guess it was taken that day. Baseball was … Continue reading The Monroe Elks Baseball Team – 1920 →

The Salt Water Natatorium right after it was built.

This next photo is the Salt Water Natatorium from an angle I have never seen before. You can clearly see the Pavilion off to the right. I think in the background you can see the Ouachita River, which gives you an idea how close it was to the river!

The Naming of Lake Beulah

The Times-Democrat (New Orleans, LA) June 7, 1906, Page 10 The engineering corps of the Municipal Street Railway and Forsythe Park have asked the privilege of naming the beautiful lake which will be the chief attraction and ornament of the city when the park is completed, and have, out of compliment to the wife of … Continue reading The Naming of Lake Beulah →

Windmill at Forsythe

Did you know that Forsythe Park once had a big windmill? It was built to hide something. In the February 20, 1930 issue of the Monroe News-Star was the following article: Windmill at Forsythe Monroe citizens yesterday read with approval that the city is building a rustic windmill enclosing the salt water well at Forsythe … Continue reading Windmill at Forsythe →

Chlorine wading at the Forsythe Pool

Anyone remember having to do this? https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/state-lwp%3A166 This was right before you got in the pool at the Forsythe park. It was to kill any germs and bacteria that may be on your feet!

An unusual view of the Salt Water Pool

This photo: https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/lsu-sea-pvc%3A639 probably doesn't look like much to you. It shows a mostly empty swimming pool. What caught my eye, was that it was the Salt Water Natatorium out at Forsythe back in 1922. It shows very clearly how deep the pool was. They were having problems with harmful insects breeding in the water … Continue reading An unusual view of the Salt Water Pool →

Parks of Monroe

This is a great paper by the WPA. It recounts the history of Forsythe, Bernstein and Stoval (aka Casino) parks. Casino park, of course, is where the legendary Monroe Monarchs played. https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-wpa%3A14

Riverside Pavilion at the Saltwater Natatorium

This is a great closeup of the pavilion that once stood at the old natatorium. From the clothing, I would guess this dates to the teens. The pavilion was used as a theater and party venue until it burned. Notice the gas lamps used to light the pool at night!