This first photo shows a float lined up waiting to start the parade. From the angle of the photo, they were parked along Elysian Fields, next to the Old City Cemetery. https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-pho%3A544 This next photo shows the same float, now on DeSiard Street between the Palace and the Style Shop. Notice the banner over the … Continue reading Christmas Fiesta Parade Float – 1939
Tag: Old City Cemetery
The Sad Death of Neecy Hardin, Alias Ethel Hunt.
I wrote this article in 20015 for Louisiana Road Trips Magazine. I still don't know anything about her. This article haunts me for some reason. Suicide is nothing new. It has been going on since the beginning of man. For some unknown reason, on September 3, 1877, Neecy Hardin decided to take her own life. … Continue reading The Sad Death of Neecy Hardin, Alias Ethel Hunt.
A Yankee Buried by Confederate Veterans
One of the sweetest stories I have found, concerns the burial of a Union veteran handled by the Henry W. Allen Camp of United Confederate Veterans. Fifteen or so years ago, a lady contacted me for information on a Union soldier that had been buried in the Old Monroe City Cemetery. She was indexing … Continue reading A Yankee Buried by Confederate Veterans
Judge William Wood Farmer, Jr.: Lawyer, Legislator, Civil War Captain and Respected Judge of Ouachita Parish
I wrote this article back in April, 2011 for Louisiana Road Trips Magazine. William Mills Farmer was born March 29, 1840 in Union Parish, the only son of William Wood and Pamela Ann Mixon Mason Farmer. He was named for his father and paternal grandfather Mills Farmer, whom Farmerville, LA was named for. His … Continue reading Judge William Wood Farmer, Jr.: Lawyer, Legislator, Civil War Captain and Respected Judge of Ouachita Parish
The Birth of Magnolia Cemetery?
I found this little article a year ago and it makes me wonder if this is the birth of Magnolia Cemetery. For years there was a section of the Old City Cemetery reserved for the exclusive burial of African-Americans. The cemetery began running out of room. I have always heard that the African-American burials were … Continue reading The Birth of Magnolia Cemetery?
Confederate Grave Marker in the Old City Cemetery
I have posted a similar one in the past, but this one is a little different. You can see a row of homes in the background. By the way, there has always been a question as to who owns the memorial. I have heard the city claims it is theirs and the UDC says they … Continue reading Confederate Grave Marker in the Old City Cemetery
Don’t Forget My Cemetery Tour the 26th!
Next week is my tour of the Old City Cemetery in Monroe on DeSiard Street. We will meet at Mayor Forsythe's grave at 10am. Mayor Forsythe is buried near the DeSiard street entrance to the cemetery. I'll be guiding the group around the cemetery, talking about the lives of some of the cemetery "residents". If … Continue reading Don’t Forget My Cemetery Tour the 26th!
A Tour of the Old City Cemetery
A few weeks back, a patron came in and asked if my cemetery tour was online anywhere. When I answered no, he showed me what could be done with Google Maps. I was blown away. So, I give you, my virtual tour of Monroe's Old City Cemetery.
Thompson Wood “Woodie” Lee
Thompson Wood Lee Monument - Old City Cemetery Back in 1996, I had a college B & W photography assignment and I chose cemetery markers as my subject. One of the markers that drew my attention was Woodie Lee's marker in the Lee family plot. It is huge. It shows a scabbard and two crossed … Continue reading Thompson Wood “Woodie” Lee
Mary McCranie
To me, the obituary for a little ten month old baby girl is the most moving tribute I have ever read. When I first read it, I had to get up and walk away for a few minutes. She was the daughter of George William McCranie, the editor and publisher of the Ouachita Telegraph. To … Continue reading Mary McCranie
