501 Walnut Street

This one is a puzzle from the Bob Sale Collection. https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-bsc%3A41 It was labeled, "501 Walnut Street". This would be the parking lot for the Warehouse Restaurant. I don't believe the street with the railroad tracks is Walnut. I notice the sign on the front points to the entrance on the other side of the … Continue reading 501 Walnut Street →

Walnut Street From the Air

This is an awesome photo! https://louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/ulm-p15140coll27%3A155 What blows me away is how many of the buildings are still there! In the immediate foreground with the black roof is the old Sugar Opera/Poolside shop. It is currently being renovated into a boutique hotel called the Hotel Monroe. Across the street next to the water tower is … Continue reading Walnut Street From the Air →

Breard Street from Walnut Street – 1938

This clipping shows a view down Breard Street from Walnut. Not a single home in this picture is still standing. Progress I guess.

Homes on Walnut Street Photo #2

I have shown a similar postcard of this view back in 2019. This one is much clearer and a wider shot. Just look at those old homes! I wish I knew exactly where this was on Walnut. I think it is taken towards the town, because of the commercial looking buildings in the background. Maybe … Continue reading Homes on Walnut Street Photo #2 →

A Trade Token From the Star Hotel

A few months back I bought this little token, because I had never seen it before. Trade tokens, were used like money, in exchange for goods. This little token would get you ten cents worth of stuff at the Star Hotel Cigar and News Stand. At the time Blake was the manager, the Star Hotel … Continue reading A Trade Token From the Star Hotel →

Southern Hardware Company at the Turn of the Last Century

I wish the men in the photo were identified! This building still stands on North Grand Street.

Downtown Monroe, 1972

Who would have thought that two photos of downtown Monroe in the summer of 1972, could be found in the collection of a New York art museum? The Metropolitan Museum of Art no less! Today, on the 151st anniversary of their opening, I thought I would share a Monroe item found in their collection! The … Continue reading Downtown Monroe, 1972 →

Meyer’s Star Emporium

This building was located where Walnut enters DeSiard Street. Most remember the site as where the Style Shop was located. Just a heads up: Tomorrow I will be doing a program on the History of Ouachita Parish Public Library for the Library's Facebook page at 10:30 am. Tune in if you can, or catch it … Continue reading Meyer’s Star Emporium →

The Woman’s Shop

What Fink the Tailor was to men's clothing, the Woman's Shop was to women's fashion. In the 1960's a branch was opened on North 18th street, which is now the location of Fiesta Nutrition Center. The original though, once stood on the corner of Walnut and DeSiard.

Lewiston, LA – The Ouachita Town That Never Was

In 1819, the Louisiana State Legislature created the town of Lewiston in Ouachita Parish. It was just up the Ouachita from Monroe. No maps of it exist. The description of it was, "...blocks or Squares fronting DeSiard or St. George Street four block and extending North up Walnut Street seven blocks..." T.C. Lewis and Patrick … Continue reading Lewiston, LA – The Ouachita Town That Never Was →