Fort Miro/Ouachita Settlement Semiquincentennial Coin

I found this curious coin for sale on eBay and bought it. I have it in a holder, hence the white "fingers" holding it in place. After a little research, I found that the Louisiana Numismatic Association produced different metal coins each year commemorating different Louisiana historical events and sites. They honor whatever city they … Continue reading Fort Miro/Ouachita Settlement Semiquincentennial Coin →

Colorful Characters of Fort Miro Program

If you missed last week's performance at the Library, you can watch the whole thing here: https://www.oplib.org/Family-local-history-virtual-programs

Colorful Characters of Fort Miro Program

I just wanted to let everyone know that on this Thursday the 17th at 5:30 pm at the Main Branch of Ouachita Parish Public Library, I and three of my colleagues will present a program about four residents of colonial Ouachita parish. You will hear from Fort Miro's commandant and Monroe's founder Jean Filhiol, his … Continue reading Colorful Characters of Fort Miro Program →

Happy Halloween!

One of my favorite times of year is here! I thought I would share some of the tales I have heard through the years about ghosts in Ouachita Parish. Judge J.N.T. Richardson is said to still haunt Ingleside Plantation. He tends to play the piano. Chains rattle throughout the house and the plantation bell rings … Continue reading Happy Halloween! →

Fort Miro

I found the above drawing of the layout for Fort Miro in our vertical files. A newspaper clipping in another file showed the same drawing and states it was found in the archives in Seville, Spain by Dr. Russ Williams. He redrew the original to better show the details.

The Excavation of the Fort Miro Site and a Forgotten Grave

I don't know why this stuck out for me. Maybe it is because I have such a deep interest in cemeteries. I have loved them since I was a kid. All the stories for all the people buried in them just fascinate me. Anyway, I was reading the book on the 1975 excavation of where … Continue reading The Excavation of the Fort Miro Site and a Forgotten Grave →

Fort Miro

I have just discovered a great little website called 64 Parishes. I encourage you to explore it and see what is there! It seems Kelby Ouchley wrote a great article on it about Fort Miro! https://64parishes.org/entry/fort-miro Do check out the website and see what is there. I did a search on the word Ouachita and … Continue reading Fort Miro →

A Description of the Ouachita Post in 1806

In 1803 the United States purchased from France a huge tract of land that included present day Louisiana. A few years later, the rest of the country was still curious about this wild frontier that was now a part of their country. Several written accounts, especially after the Lewis and Clark and Hunter and Dunbar … Continue reading A Description of the Ouachita Post in 1806 →

1797 Map of the Maison Rouge Tract

Tulane University has some treasures. My boss brought this one to my attention: https://digitallibrary.tulane.edu/islandora/object/tulane:12330 It is a copy of a map done in 1797 showing the Maison Rouge land grants along the Ouachita River. Quite prominent in the map is Fort Miro along with various bayous and rivers you may recognize. You can click on … Continue reading 1797 Map of the Maison Rouge Tract →