Natchez Catholic Sisters Come to Help in Monroe

Another book I have found on the Internet Archives site is a book called, "Angels of the Battlefield: A history of the Labors of the Catholic Sisterhoods in the Late Civil War" by George Barton done in 1897. On pages 120 - 123, there is a brief mention of the Monroe Confederate Hospital during the … Continue reading Natchez Catholic Sisters Come to Help in Monroe →

A National Revival Movement Comes to Monroe

Imagine if Billy Graham ever came to Monroe for a revival. Back in 1895, the Methodists had that level of a national revivalist. His name was Sam P. Jones, and he was planning on coming to Monroe. I had never heard about this preacher before, until I looked at a Sanborn map from 1898. (You … Continue reading A National Revival Movement Comes to Monroe →

The Clover Leaf Dairy

Anyone remember the old Clover Leaf Dairy which stood in the 1800 block of Louisville Avenue? In the 1960's or so, the Monroe Boy's Club took a tour of the facility and had their picture taken in front of the building. You can see that picture here: https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-bsc%3A10 .

Dedication Program for the Monroe Civic Center

On September 2, 1967, the Monroe Civic Center formally opened to the public. I found the following program for sale on Ebay and bought it. The small strips were flaps on the end of the back page/cover. I will be donating it to the library for preservation. Front Cover Inside First Page Inside second page … Continue reading Dedication Program for the Monroe Civic Center →

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 →

The Tragic Death of George Purvis and his Children

George Purvis was a native of England but settled in the Ouachita Parish area before the Civil War. He married Carolyn K. Morrison (from a very old Ouachita Parish family) and they were the parents of several children. When I was inside Grace Episcopal Church earlier this year, I saw a painting of George hanging … Continue reading The Tragic Death of George Purvis and his Children →

Willie’s Birth Certificate?

Last week, a hint popped up on my Ancestry tree I have created for Sidney and Annie Saunders' son Willie. It stated there was a birth record in New Orleans for Wm. L. Saunders, born March 27, 1874, son of S.W. and Annie "Loving". Close. Very close. I sent off a request to the State … Continue reading Willie’s Birth Certificate? →

Welcome to Monroe Packet.

If you moved to Monroe around 1961, you would probably be given a little welcome to the town magazine, compiled by the Letter Service Bureau. It was filled with letters of welcome from churches, businesses and organizations in the town along with a few coupons. It is amazing that one was preserved! It is now … Continue reading Welcome to Monroe Packet. →

The First Telephone in Ouachita Parish

I wrote this for Louisiana Road Trips Magazine back in 2013: In late spring of 1878, Monroe experimented with a new invention called the telephone. The April 26th edition of the Ouachita Telegraph describes the fascination locals had with this new “toy”. The manager of the telegraph office and a few others rented “a couple … Continue reading The First Telephone in Ouachita Parish →

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!