A Lost Grave at Travelers Rest Plantation

I have a personal subscription to Newspapers.com and have noticed that they have now digitized the Ouachita Citizen from 1925 to 1976. While playing around with search terms, I found an article in the April 16, 1931 edition which talks about Travelers Rest plantation. The following paragraph caught my eye: Perhaps the outstanding historical spot … Continue reading A Lost Grave at Travelers Rest Plantation →

The W.L. Morris building in West Monroe

Take a look at this old photo of the W.L. Morris building I just found in our files! It stood on Commerce street at the corner of Natchitoches (Alley Park now). Beautiful!

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