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 End of Old Trenton

I have always wondered what happened to all the buildings that once made up the town of Trenton. The town was so important before and after the Civil War and then one day, *poof* it is gone. All that is there now are family homes and a historical marker. I happened to stumble across a … Continue reading The End of Old Trenton →

Slave Market in West Monroe

The Monroe Register, February 9, 1860. And to go along with yesterday's post, here is another from the same newspaper, different day, for a slave market in the town of Trenton, which is now part of West Monroe. I have no idea where in Trenton this was.

Andre Cajun and the tale that refuses to DIE!

Cover of "Whiskey, Pistols & Religion" by Andre' Cajun What you are looking at is the little book that started the wild tale about how West Monroe got started. I have written a summary about the Trent brothers legend before. I won't rehash it again. (Link to a cartoon drawn and published in the News-Star … Continue reading Andre Cajun and the tale that refuses to DIE! →

Trenton, LA

This is the only view of Trenton, LA that I have ever seen. It was taken in 1874 during a major flood. None of the buildings in this photo stand today. The area is now nothing but houses and is part of West Monroe.

Words of Advice From a Father to His Son

Trenton, La Sept. 25th 1866 Papa is very proud and happy to learn through letters from Mama and Auntie that his darling Charlie Clayton is an interesting, smart, intelligent, good boy, and earnestly hopes that as he grows older and larger he may also grow still smarter and better, and turn out to be a … Continue reading Words of Advice From a Father to His Son →

Ouachita Parish on the eve of war.

This is a very interesting write up about Ouachita Parish published in a New Orleans paper just before the Civil War would devastate the area. The New Orleans Crescent (New Orleans, LA) August 20, 1860 Page 1 LOUISIANA IN SLICES. NUMBER XXIII. The Parish of Ouachita. Monroe a Beautiful Town – Its People and its … Continue reading Ouachita Parish on the eve of war. →