The War Dead of Ouachita Parish

I am not claiming this to be totally accurate by any means. I have compiled this list from many different sources, right or wrong. I just want a good list as a jumping off point for future interested researchers! What this is, is a list of Ouachita Parish people who gave their lives while defending … Continue reading The War Dead of Ouachita Parish →

A Photo of the founder of Sterlington?

This is another photo found in the collection of Dr. E. Russ Williams. On the back was the notation, "Poss. John Sterling". That would be John Taylor Sterling, whom Sterlington, LA is named for!

“The Men Behind the Desk”

Back in 1951, the Monroe Morning World and the Monroe News Star published a daily article with photo, profiling local (white) business owners. The News Star, which published only Monday - Friday, would publish the first profile and the next day it would appear in the Morning World, which published Tuesday - Sunday. The Sunday … Continue reading “The Men Behind the Desk” →

John Peyton Parker

A couple of weeks ago, I noticed this carte de vise photograph come up for sale on eBay. It was signed on the back and front saying it was a portrait of John P. Parker from December, 1877. I couldn't let it go and paid way too much for it. I am a sucker for … Continue reading John Peyton Parker →

An Early Map of Northwest Ouachita Parish

How about an 1848 landowners map of northwestern Ouachita Parish? It is based on an earlier 1813 map! https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-pho%3A751

Ouachita Parish History Mural

Back in 1958, Frances Flanders, Director of the Ouachita Parish Public Library, was in the middle of construction of the new Main Branch Library. Ms. Flanders wanted a statement piece to hang over the circulation desk of the new library. With the permission of the library board, Ms. Flanders commissioned Hubble Reed McBride, a Dallas … Continue reading Ouachita Parish History Mural →

Your Hometown Tycoon Game

About a month ago, this board game came up for sale on eBay. I had never heard of it! Apparently, in 1992, a company did a take off on the popular game of Monopoly. They did these board games for several towns around the country, Monroe included. They solicited ads to appear on the board … Continue reading Your Hometown Tycoon Game →

Part Two of the Thomas Reynolds Murder, 1848

Back in 2019, I found an article about a man on trial for the 1848 poisoning death of his father. He had ran to Texas for several years, but was found and brought back for trial. Apparently, he made a jail break! We now have a name for the murderous son. The New Orleans Times-Picayune, … Continue reading Part Two of the Thomas Reynolds Murder, 1848 →

African-American Woman Fishing In Monroe

Some photos leave you wanting more. This one does for me. It is a photo taken in Monroe circa 1930 of a woman sitting on the bank of a bayou/river fishing. Who was this woman? What was her story? What has she been through and seen? It is important that we record our family stories … Continue reading African-American Woman Fishing In Monroe →

The Architecture of the North Louisiana River Parishes

I have seen this book several times before. If you are interested in the architecture styles of some of the buildings in Ouachita parish, this book is for you! It is now digitized here: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/65859/65859-h/65859-h.htm There are several historic Ouachita buildings profiled in this book along with drawings.