Baer Brothers Store, circa 1890

This newspaper clipping shows the Baer building, on South Grand Street around the turn of the century. the site is now the location of a parking garage.

South Grand Street Covered in Snow, circa 1870.

The above photo has been reproduced several times through the years. I don't know where the original is, or even if it is still in existence. According to the caption, this shows South Grand Street in 1870 after a snow. The bottom right bare lot is where the Austin's building now stands. The perspective leaves … Continue reading South Grand Street Covered in Snow, circa 1870. →

A Photographer’s View of Monroe in the 1980’s

The Library of Congress has a collection of photographs taken by John Margolis. Among his stops in 1982 was Monroe. I found this particular photo: https://www.loc.gov/resource/mrg.04492/ interesting, since the building isn't there anymore. If I remember correctly, it fell into South Grand Street and had to be demolished. You can see Austin's building right next … Continue reading A Photographer’s View of Monroe in the 1980’s →

Another Lovers Lane Postcard

There seems to be at least a half dozen photo postcards of Lovers Lane! Those power lines are so low in this photo! I wonder if they are for the trolley?

The Elks Club Lodge – 1908

A week ago today, I was going to bid on the below rare postcard so that it could be added to the library's collection. Unfortunately, the bidding got too rich for my blood and it escaped. Such a loss to history! I did some research and found that the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks had … Continue reading The Elks Club Lodge – 1908 →

Elk’s Club Interior

Here is another very rare postcard of Monroe, showing the interior of the Elks Club House. It was located at 200 South Grand Street at the corner of Grammont. The site of this building is now a parking lot. This room looks GORGEOUS! Look for a postcard towards the end of next month showing an … Continue reading Elk’s Club Interior →

Western Union Messenger Boys

This is one of the treasures we got last week! https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-pho%3A485 This shows a line of messenger boys in front of the old Western Union in the 1920s. Western Union was located at 122 South Grand Street. What blew me away was the business next door, Coney Island! I really believe this was the very … Continue reading Western Union Messenger Boys →

Lovers Lane

FRONT I bought this one off of Ebay. The note on the back is quite touching!

Turn of the Century South Grand

I found this postcard for sale online. I have never seen that angle before. To give you an idea of where you are, the lady on the right is standing next to Grammont Street. Of course, the big white building on the left is the Central Savings Bank building, built in 1906. It was beautiful! … Continue reading Turn of the Century South Grand →

South Grand Street, circa 1873

South Grand Street gathering, circa 1873. This is the third oldest photo of Monroe I have ever seen. Only the two photos of the 1871 fire are older. It shows South Grand Street, where a parade seems to be happening. I've seen grainy copies published in the News-Star and in Dr. Williams' book, "Founding Families … Continue reading South Grand Street, circa 1873 →