An Early Steam Fire Engine

This is a very interesting photo. The only thing we know about it is it shows an early steam fire engine in Monroe in the nineteenth century. This would have been pulled by two horses and had to be filled using local cisterns scattered around the city.

An Early Fire Truck

This is another one I found, and luckily it was dated and most persons were identified. Plus, there was a date of April 15, 1915. I may get the names wrong, since the handwriting was very hard to read! Left to right, back row: Unknown - standing on ground.Harry Roberts - on truckUnknown - behind … Continue reading An Early Fire Truck →

First African-American Firefighters in Monroe – 1874

Did you know that Monroe had an all-black Fire Company crew during Reconstruction? They organized in early 1874 and since the Ouachita Fire Company, No 1 had just gotten a new steam fire engine, the new crew were given the old hand engine called Creole, No. 9. They called themselves "the Aetnas" (Aetna Fire Co., … Continue reading First African-American Firefighters in Monroe – 1874 →

Monroe Firemen’s Pension Fund

This little plaque was found by a colleague in our files. It shows the Fire Station on Hudson lane in 1960. Neat little treasure!

Monroe Fire Department Circa 1915

This is a photo from the Ouachita Parish Public Library's photo files (photo No. 1155). It shows the Monroe Fire Department outside Station Number one on St. John Street (between Grammont and Wood Streets). The photographer would have been standing about where First Baptist Church's Education and Church Office building is now! Pictured is the … Continue reading Monroe Fire Department Circa 1915 →