Arthur Allen Lasyone and the West Monroe Gravel Pit

Like a lot of you, I went to the Kitchen estate sale a few weeks ago. I bought the below picture due to it being taken in West Monroe. I really don't know much about it. When I think West Monroe gravel pits, I think of the one that is now Restoration park. I can't … Continue reading Arthur Allen Lasyone and the West Monroe Gravel Pit →

The Beginnings of the Brown Paper Mill

Today, this facility in West Monroe is known as Graphic Packaging. Back in 1924, a newsletter out of Delaware called "The Super Calender" did a profile about the brand new West Monroe Mill that had just started operating. I found a copy of this newsletter on Ebay and bought it for the collection. You can … Continue reading The Beginnings of the Brown Paper Mill →

West Monroe Mayor Robert L. Rinehart

Carrying on from Tuesday's post, another photo that caught my eye in the bathroom foyer was a photo of West Monroe early mayor Robert L. Rinehart! A very distinguished looking gentleman!

The Crosley Family

While visiting Antique Alley, I happened to go into the public bathroom in the old Union Oil Mill building. Hanging on the wall of the foyer were several historic photographs of West Monroe, including these two. Please excuse the photo quality. I was using my phone and trying to get at an angle where there … Continue reading The Crosley Family →

West Monroe Salutes Industry

How about this little pamphlet listing some of the industries in West Monroe in the 1950's? Here you will find information and photos of Bancroft Bag, the Union Oil Mill and Monroe Sand and Gravel, to name a few. https://louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-orv%3A114

HISTORIC HASLEY: Secrets From The Grave

Last year, the Ouachita Parish Public Library’s Genealogy and Special Collections Department applied for and won a Rebirth Public Library grant* from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Our project was to create a virtual cemetery tour of some of the burials in Hasley cemetery, West Monroe. The fruits of that labor are now available to the public. … Continue reading HISTORIC HASLEY: Secrets From The Grave →

The last link in I-20 is dedicated: 1965

On May 11, 1965, the Stella Street interchange on I-20 was dedicated. We have a rare program from that day in our collection. You can view it here: https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-orv%3A82 . this was the last part of I-20 to be opened in northeast Louisiana.

Glenwood Hospital Opening Program

Another one from the collection is the dedication program for Glenwood Hospital, West Monroe in 1962. There is a lot of historical information in this little booklet! https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-orv%3A106

A Fascinating Scrapbook For Our Collection

Last week, a scrapbook full of pristine candid photos was given to the library. It was about to be thrown into the garbage when it was rescued. What it contained were the personal photos of Inez Marie Schneider Dickinson, taken between 1927 and 1932. Inside were scenes of the 1927 and 1932 floods in Monroe, … Continue reading A Fascinating Scrapbook For Our Collection →

Ouachita Parish History In a Calendar

These were done in the 1980's by the West Monroe Historic Preservation Project. Each month featured a photo and info about the area's past. They are rare, but if you would like to see them, come by the Special Collections Department at the Ouachita Parish Public Library and ask!