South Grand Around 1910

I think I have shared a black and white version of this photo before. It shows South Grand Street around 1910. The postcard was postmarked 1913. On the far left is the old Hotel Monroe. You can see the trolly car turning down Wood Street. The courthouse square is the grove of trees just past … Continue reading South Grand Around 1910 →

The Monroe Hotel

Last month, I found a letter for sale on ebay, written on Hotel Monroe letterhead over 121 years ago. Naturally, I bought it! It was a letter from Charles J. Mullikin to his wife Betty back in Champaign, IL. I found out that later he became mayor of Champaign! He was down in Louisiana on … Continue reading The Monroe Hotel →

Monroe Skyline during the 1932 Flood

Back in July, three Griffin photos came up for auction. I bought them. I will share all three in the next three posts. This first one shows the Ouachita River side of Monroe taken from West Monroe. You can see the courthouse, the Frances, The City Hall and the Monroe Hotel (Penn) along the skyline. … Continue reading Monroe Skyline during the 1932 Flood →

The Pink Penthouse

Everyone remembers the pink penthouse at the old Penn Hotel. The building is no longer pink but still catches the eye when crossing Endom or the Interstate bridges. What is the story? Hotel Monroe owner John E. Doughtie wanted to expand his hotel. He also wanted a new home. He and his wife were crammed … Continue reading The Pink Penthouse →

Hotel Monroe Annex

I got very excited one day when I was browsing Ebay and saw the above postcard for sale. It is a rare one. It shows the old Hotel Monroe Annex, which was located behind the original Hotel Monroe building and faced Wood Street. It was built in 1922. The bottom floor held customer's automobiles and … Continue reading Hotel Monroe Annex →

“There is sometimes a great deal in a name.”

The Crowley Signal (Crowley, LA) January 4, 1908 There is sometimes a great deal in a name. Some wag wrote Carrie Nation's name on the register of the Hotel Monroe, at Monroe, the other day and the hotel bar closed within half an hour, while the proprietors of the other bars stood in their doors … Continue reading “There is sometimes a great deal in a name.” →