Assistant Fire Chief Harry Roberts

Capt. Roberts cuts a dashing figure in this photograph! https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-pho%3A817 It appears to be circa 1920-1939 and he is posed outside the Central Fire Station on St. John. I found one article in the News Star dated Feb. 16, 1927. It talks about Assistant Chief Roberts getting a new Buick Touring car, painted red. They … Continue reading Assistant Fire Chief Harry Roberts →

Fire Department No. 3 – 1915

I think this is my favorite from the new collection! https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-pho%3A816 Even the fire horses are identified! This building was located at the corner of 6th and Louisville. The building next to Shananigans sits on the site. Fire Department No. 1 was the Central Station downtown, but if you are wondering where No. 2 was, … Continue reading Fire Department No. 3 – 1915 →

Central Station, Monroe Fire Department

A few weeks ago, a patron of the library donated a few photos of the Monroe Fire Department. They were from the collection of her uncle, who was a fireman. Over the next few posts, I will share them with you. https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-pho%3A818 This shows the men of the Central Station fire department, circa 1930's. All … Continue reading Central Station, Monroe Fire Department →

Monroe Police Department Cars on St. John

A New Fire Truck for the Monroe Fire Department

Here is another ebay find. It shows a brand new fire truck that had been ordered by the Monroe Fire Department. The ebay ad says it dated to 1926, but the Type 12 debuted in 1911. You can read information about it here as well as see a great photo of one: https://fire.fandom.com/wiki/American_LaFrance_Type_12 I think … Continue reading A New Fire Truck for the Monroe Fire Department →

Fire Somewhere In Monroe

To go along with yesterday's post, this is another one from the library's Monroe Jaycees Collection. Now what in the world a fire has to do with the City Planning Commission, I don't know. I wish I knew where this happened!

A Little Fire Department History

Earlier this week someone asked me about the history of the local Fire Department. I found way back in February of 1867, a man named A.W. Norcross donated $100 to buy a fire engine for the city. He was the Federal IRS Assessor at the time! Monroe citizens ran with it and within weeks, $2000 … Continue reading A Little Fire Department History →

Monroe Fire Department’s First Fire Truck

I love this one! If I had to guess, this was Monroe's first gas fire truck! At least, the vehicle is very old, so it is one of the first. We don't know who the man behind the wheel is. You can see the photo on the Louisiana Digital Library here: https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-pho%3A535 .

The “Fire Horses” of the Ouachita Parish Fire Department

Back in the late 1800's, after the large 1871 fire, it was decided that Monroe needed a fire department. There were no motorized fire trucks back then, so horses were often commandeered from Endom's livery to pull the hose wagon and water pump. Ouachita got their own horses finally and horses were used up until … Continue reading The “Fire Horses” of the Ouachita Parish Fire Department →

Monroe Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1

The driver is identified as John Rigsby, who was also Captain of the Company and Ed Johnson is in the white shirt next to the driver. No one else is identified. There is a date attached to the photo of May 13, 1913. The only problem with this is that if the man driving the … Continue reading Monroe Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1 →