Christmas Fiesta Parade Float – 1939

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

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?

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!