Not a Good Idea…

This was part of the Monroe Jaycees collection we received. It is an advertising flyer about a radio program on KNOE in the 1950's where you could call in and basically complain! NOT a very good idea in today's climate! LOL!

Virginia Hotel Roof Lounge

Did you know the Virginia had a Rooftop lounging area? There was a garden right outside too. Many a banquet and dance were held here! Vantage has fixed it back up. One of the companies that worked on the restoration, Lincoln Builders, has some photos of the building (including the lounge area) up on their … Continue reading Virginia Hotel Roof Lounge →

The Virginia Hotel – 1927

This postcard caught my eye on eBay because I had never seen such a wide angle shot of the Virginia. A later postcard using this exact same angle, crops everything close to the building (I have posted it before). Everything about it is fascinating! You can see all the way to DeSiard on the right … Continue reading The Virginia Hotel – 1927 →

Hotel Virginia Menu

The Virginia was the place to see and be seen. In the Ouachita parish Public Library's collection, we have an old menu from the hotel restaurant. Quite interesting to look at! https://louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-orv%3A2

The Virginia Hotel Building Restoration

I remember this building when it was used as a state office building. At the time, I marveled at the white marble staircases and knew there was a jewel hidden beneath all those dropped ceilings! Vantage has done an incredible job of restoring the Virginia to it's former glory! https://youtu.be/ggD2hPadH0g

Hotel Virginia Postcard

What a great old postcard photo of the Virginia Hotel in it's heyday! The building (now owned by Vantage) is absolutely gorgeous inside!

Virginia Hotel Restaurant

Postcard showing the Virginia Hotel Restaurant. It was the place to be seen in it's day!

St. John Street circa 1945

Fairly old photo of St. John Street circa 1945. You can see the Virginia Hotel and Ouachita National Bank building on the left and the Knights of Pythias building on the right.

St. John Street Looking North

From the look of the cars, the above photo would have been taken in the 20's. On the west side of the street we can see the old City Hall, the Virginia Hotel and Ouachita National Bank building. On the East side are First Baptist Church, the Old Post Office, Monroe Office Supply/Durrett's Furniture and … Continue reading St. John Street Looking North →

Roof Garden at the Virginia

Did you know the Virginia Hotel once had a rooftop garden? The Virginia (now the Vantage State Office Building) boasted that you could dance right out of the ballroom into the garden!