Monroe, Louisiana
| City of Monroe | |
| City | |
 Monroe-West Monroe
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| Motto: One City, One Future | |
| Nickname: Twin City | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Louisiana |
| Parish | Ouachita |
| Elevation | 72 ft (21.9 m) |
| Coordinates | |
| Area | 31.6 sq mi (81.8 km²) |
| - land | 28.7 sq mi (74 km²) |
| - water | 3.7 sq mi (10 km²), 11.71% |
| - metro | 1,538 sq mi (3,983 km²) |
| Population | 53,107 (2000) |
| - metro | 270,053 (2000) |
| Density | 1,851.8 / sq mi (715 / km²) |
| Mayor | James E. "Jamie" Mayo |
| Timezone | CST (UTC-6) |
| - summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP codes | 71201-03 |
| Area code | 318 |
 Location of Monroe in Louisiana
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 Location of Louisiana in the United States
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| Website: http://www.ci.monroe.la.us | |
Monroe (historically French: Poste-du-Ouachita[1]) is a city in and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 53,107, making it the eighth largest city in Louisiana. A July 1, 2007, United States Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 54,208.[2] It is the principal city of the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes the parishes of Ouachita and Union. The two-parish area had a total population of 170,053 in 2000 and an estimated population of 172,275 as of July 1, 2007.[3] The larger Monroe-Bastrop Combined Statistical Area is composed of both the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Bastrop Micropolitan Statistical Area. The CSA had a population of 201,074 in 2000.
Monroe and the neighboring city of West Monroe (pop. 13,250), which sits just across the Ouachita River, are often referred to as the Twin Cities of northeast Louisiana.
Contents |
History
Monroe is named for James Monroe of Virginia, the fifth President of the United States and, with Robert R. Livingston, one of the negotiators of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase from France.
During the American Civil War, Monroe and Opelousas, the seat of St. Landry Parish in south Louisiana, were Confederate training camps established after the fall of New Orleans to the Union in 1862. Conscripts were soon sent to both camps.[4]
In 1862, Monroe and Delhi in Richland Parish were both overcrowded with unwelcome refugees from rural areas to the east when the forces of General U.S. Grant moved into northeastern Louisiana and spent the winter of 1862-1863 at Winter Quarters south of Newellton in Tensas Parish in preparation for the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, not completed until July 4, 1863. Historian John D. Winters reported "strong Union sympathy" in both Delhi and Monroe. As the refugees moved further west toward Minden in Webster Parish, many of the native inhabitants, themselves very poor, refused to sell them food or shelter and treated them with contempt.[5]
Union boats came up the Ouachita River to Monroe to trade coffee, liquor, dry goods, and money for cotton. Winters writes in The Civil War in Louisiana that "Confederate officers were accused by a citizen of encouraginjg the trade and of fraterniing with the enemy, eating their oysters, and drinking their liquor."[6] As the war continued, Winters reported that deserters and stragglers about Monroe became "so plentiful that a special detachment" was sent from Alexandria to apprehend them.[7]
In 1913, Joseph A. Biedenharn, the first bottler of Coca-Cola, moved to Monroe from Vicksburg, Mississippi. His home and gardens at 2006 Riverside Drive in Monroe is a museum.[8] Until Biedenharn's breakthrough, Coca-Cola had been available only when individually mixed at the soda fountain. Biedenharn was also one of the founders of Delta Airlines, originally Delta Air Service. Collett E. Woolman, the Ouachita Parish agent originally from Indiana, pioneered crop dusting to eradicate the boll weevil, which destroyed cotton in the Mississippi River delta country. Woolman hence originated the first crop-dusting service in the world.[9]
Geography
Monroe is located at (32.510343, -92.094895)[10] and has an elevation of 72 feet (21.9 m)[11].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 31.6 square miles (83.9 km²), of which, 28.7 square miles (74.3 km²) of it is land and 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²) of it is water. The total area is 11.46% water.
Demographics
As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 53,107 people, 19,421 households, and 12,157 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,851.8 people per square mile (714.9/km²). There were 21,278 housing units at an average density of 741.9/sq mi (286.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 36.78% White, 61.13% African American, 0.13% Native American, 1.05% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.01% of the population.
There were 19,421 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.4% were married couples living together, 25.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54, and the average family size was 3.26.
In the city, the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 15.0% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,864, and the median income for a family was $33,263. Males had a median income of $31,840 versus $22,352 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,933. About 26.3% of families and 32.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.3% of those under the age of 18 and 21.6% of those 65 and older.
Transportation
Monroe was the headquarters of Delta Airlines during the second half of the 1920s.Monroe Regional Airport serves the city. The airport has three main runways and is served by Delta, American, and Continental airlines.
Greyhound Bus Lines provides transportation from Monroe to many cities across the nation. The city of Monroe also has the oldest municipally owned transit system in the nation. Created in 1906 as a four line street railroad, the Monroe Transit System (mtsbus.org) is the now provides 13 fixed bus routes covering most areas of the city and 3 demand response buses serving the disabled.
Monroe can be accessed from I-20, U.S. Highway 165, L.A. Highway 15, U.S. Highway 80,and I-420 (proposed).
Monroe has two main railroads Kansas City Southern Railway that runs from east to west and Union Pacific that runs from North to South. Other railroads include:
- Delta Southern Railroad
- Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi Railroad
Entertainment
The Monroe Civic Center, which has multiple complexes. The main complex is the Civic center Arena. This arena provides 44,000 square feet (4,100 m2) of exhibit space along with 5,600 seats. The arena may have larger capacities up to 7,200 seats. The arena houses events such as banquets, circuses, and rodeos. The civic center also has the B.D. Robinson conference hall, Monroe Convention Center, equestrian pavilion, and the W.L. "Jack" Howard Theatre.
Monroe features the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo, which collectively maintains over 500 animals. The zoo also offers boat rides and a catwalk in addition to other seasonal activities.
The Monroe area is home to several museums, including the Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum, The Biedenharn Museum and Gardens, Aviation Military Museum, the Masur Museum of Arts, and the Northeast Louisiana Delta African-American Heritage Museum.
Monroe is home to the Louisiana Motor Speedway, located near Interstate 20, and Twin City Dragway.
Monroe hosts Deltafest.
Golf
- Chennault Golf Course
- Frenchman's Bend Country Club
- The Links at Muny
- Bayou Desiard Country Club
Shopping
- Pecanland Mall, home to major anchors Belk, Dillard's, JC Penney, Sears, and Burlington Coat Factory. It is the largest mall in North Louisiana and is host to over 200 other stores. Pecanland Mall also has a Cinemark 10 Movie Complex, Food Court and a Center Court. In mid-town Monroe there is The Shoppes on Tower shopping center, Twin City Plaza, Twin City Shopping Center and Eastgate Shopping Center.
National Guard
Monroe is home to the 528th Engineer Battalion of the Louisiana Army National Guard. This unit is part of the 225th Engineer Brigade which is headquartered in Pineville, Louisiana at Camp Beauregard.
Neighborhoods
Southern Monroe (south of U.S. Highway 80) This area contains the Pecanland Mall and the Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo.
- Burg Jones Lane
- Parkview
- Robinson Place
- Richwood
- Pine Bayou
- Lamyville
- Renwick's Addition
- Oregon Trail
- West Parkview
- Oak Manor
- Bryant's Addition
- Grayling Bend
- Tanglewood
- Charmingdale
- New Town
- Atkinson Quarters
- King Oaks
- Hollywood Heights
- Lincoln Park
North and East Monroe (north of U.S. Highway 80) The University of Louisiana at Monroe and the headquarters for CenturyLink can be found in this area.
- Betin Heights
- Oakmont
- Westminister
- Garden District
- Marie Place Addition
- Sholar's Addition
- Pargoud Place
- Plantation Park
- Point Place
- Westwood
- Forsythe Park
- Brierfield
- River Oaks
- Town & Country
- Northside Terrace
- Cypress Point
- Lakeshore
- Bayou Oaks
- Parkview Heights Subdivision
- North Pointe Plantation
- Booker T
- Treasure Island
- Northgate Estates
- Village North
- Pecan Bayou
Education
Post-Secondary Education
- University of Louisiana at Monroe
Elementary
The City of Monroe has its own department of education that is set off from the larger Ouachita Parish School System. It is known as the Monroe City School System. The department consists of three high schools, three junior high schools, and 13 elementary schools.
- Lexington Elementary
- Berg Jones Elementary
- Carver Elementary
- Clara Hall Elementary
- J.S. Clark Magnet School
- Cypress Point Elementary
- Jefferson Upper Elementary
- Lincoln Elementary
- Minnie Ruffin Elementary
- Madison James Foster Elementary
- Barkdull Faulk Elementary
- Sallie Humble Elementary
- Swayze Elementary
- Robinson Elementary
Junior High
- Robert E. Lee Junior High (Lee)
- Carroll Junior High
- Martin Luther King Junior High (MLK)
High School
- Neville High School
- Carroll High School
- Wossman High School
Media
Monroe is served by a Gannett newspaper, the Monroe News Star, formerly an afternoon daily owned and operated by the late father-son team of publishers, Robert Wilson Ewing, I, and John D. Ewing. When the Ewing's Monroe Morning World ceased publication, the sister publication, the News Star, became the city's morning-only newspaper.
Monroe is also served by two African-American weekly newspapers: The Monroe Free Press and the Monroe Dispatch. The Free Press was founded in 1969 by Roosevelt Wright, Jr.; its web presence began in 1996 and is located at http://monroefreepress.com. The Dispatch was founded in 1975 by Irma and Frank Detiege.
The Ouachita Citizen, based in West Monroe, is a weekly newspaper that provides all-local coverage of events in Ouachita Parish, including Monroe, West Monroe, Sterlington and Richwood. Locally owned, the newspaper has been in operation since 1924. The Ouachita Citizen can be found online at www.ouachitacitizen.com. It was purchased in 1996 by the late Sam Hanna, Sr., and his son, Sam Hanna, Jr., who remains the publisher.
Television
- KNOE 8 (CBS) & 8.2 (CW)
- KTVE 10 (NBC)
- KAQY 11 (ABC)
- KLTM 13 (PBS)
- KARD 14 (FOX)
- KMCT 39 (TBN)
- KEJB 43 (My Network TV)
Radio
FM
- KBMQ 88.7 Christian
- KEDM 90.3 National Public Radio/University of Louisiana at Monroe HD radio
- KMYY 92.3 Country
- KJMG 97.3 Urban Adult Contemporary
- KNBB 97.7 Sports
- KZRZ 98.3 Soft Rock
- KRVV 100.1 Urban Contemporary
- KHLL 100.9 Christian
- KNOE 101.9 Countinous Hit Music!
- KQLQ 103.1 Rhythmic Top 40
- KJLO 104.1 Country
- KLIP 105.3 Classic Hits
- KXRR 106 New Rock
AM
Emegencey Alert Sataions:
Notable people
Sports
- Ben Sheets (Current (MLB) Oakland Athletics pitcher, played at NLU, now ULM)[13]
- Brian Bateman (PGA Golfer, 2007 Buick Open Winner)[14]
- Benoit Benjamin (Former NBA Center for the Cleveland Cavaliers)[15]
- Bubby Brister (Former Denver Broncos Quarterback)[16]
- Billy Joe Dupree (Former Tight End for the Dallas Cowboys)[17]
- Lenny Fant, ULM basketball coach, 1957–1979, first ULM coach to win three hundred games[18]
- Ralph Garr (Former MLB player)[19]
- Gerrod Henderson (American basketball player for the Anwil Włocławek 2007-09)
- Stan Humphries (Former San Diego Chargers Quarterback)[20]
- Cardia Jackson, ULM Warhawk linebacker and NFL prospect[21]
- Bradie James (LSU and Dallas Cowboys Linebacker)[22]
- Shawn King (Former ULM/LSU and Carolina Panthers Defensive End)[23]
- Paul Millsap (Power forward for Louisiana Tech University and the Utah Jazz)[24]
- Rudy Niswanger (LSU and Kansas City Chiefs Center)[25]
- Joe Profit (Former Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints Running Back)[26]
- Johnny Robinson (Former LSU and Kansas City Chiefs safety)
- Bill Russell (Former NBA center for the Boston Celtics)
- Sammy White (GSU and Former Offensive Rookie of Year Receiver Minnesota Viking)
- Andrew Whitworth (LSU and Cincinnati Bengals Offensive tackle)
- Jonathan Wilhite (Auburn and New England Patriots Cornerback)
- Aeneas Williams (Former St. Louis Rams Free Safety)
- Pat Williams (Minnesota Vikings Defensive Tackle)
- Larry Wright (GSU and Former NBA guard for the Washington Bullets)
Musicians
- Antidonnie -- Singer, songwriter
- Gabe Cardinale -- Singer, songwriter of Dead Twins, former bassist for Kingdom of Snakes, frontman of Maroon.
- Hamid Drake -- Jazz drummer and percussionist
- Carl Fontana -- Jazz trombonist
- Kevin Griffin-- Lead Singer of Better Than Ezra
- Andy Griggs -- Country music singer
- Billy Ledbetter -- Singer-songwriter; his "Stealing Hubcaps" was a hit single in the 1960s. He was voted top lounge entertainer in Las Vegas for five consecutive years.
- Frank Ticheli -- Internationally known composer, conductor, Professor of Music, University of Southern California I
- Leon "Pee Wee" Whittaker -- African American trombonist who played with the Rabbit's Foot Minstrels from Monroe between 1935 and 1950
- William Lon Wilson -- Singer, songwriter, drummer----wrote numerous top 10 country songs, consistently voted top studio drummer in Nashville
- The Vidrines
- Heath Forbes -- Singer, songwriter originally from Sterlington, LA
Politicians
- Jamie Mayo, Democratic mayor of Monroe since 2001
- Edwards Barham, former member of the Louisiana State Senate from Morehouse Parish
- Robert J. Barham, Director of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission; former Louisiana state senator from Morehouse Parish
- William R. Boles, Sr., attorney and former Democratic member of the Louisiana State Senate
- Marcus R. Clark (born 1956), associate justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court; former district court judge
- James L. Dennis (born 1936), Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- Jimmy Dimos, former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives and retired judge
- John C. Ensminger (born 1934), Monroe businessman, state representative (1972–1991) and state senator (1991–1992) from Ouachita Parish
- William C. Feazel (1895–1965), interim U.S. Senator in 1948; member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1932–1936; father-in-law of Shady R. Wall
- Lee Fletcher (1966–2009), Republican political consultant
- H. Lawrence Gibbs (1919–1993), member of both houses of the Louisiana Legislature
- John S. Hunt, III (1928–2001), Monroe attorney and former member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission
- Neal Lane "Lanny" Johnson (born 1940), former Ouachita Parish school superintendent and member of the Louisiana House from 1976-1980 from Franklin and Tensas parishes; first All-American in basketball at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, then NLSC
- Kay Katz, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives and former Republican National Committeewoman from Louisiana
- Robert Kostelka, Republican state senator and former judge
- Scott Leehy, Republican judge of the Fourth Judicial District
- Sam Little, Republican state representative from Morehouse Parish and portions of Ouachita, West Carroll, and East Carroll parishes
- James A. Noe, Governor of Louisiana, founder of WNOE & KNOE radio & TV stations
- Lawson Swearingen, former Louisiana state senator and president of ULM
- Chet D. Traylor, Associate justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court, 1997–2009; Republican primary candidate for U.S. Senate, 2010
- Ruth L. Ulrich, Republican national committeewoman from Louisiana
- Shady R. Wall (1922–1985), state representative from 1948–1956 and 1968–1984
- Mike Walsworth, Louisiana state senator from Ouachita and Morehouse parishes
- W.E. Whetstone, former member of the Louisiana State Board of Education
- Aubrey W. Young (1922–2010), Drug and alcohol abuse coordinator within the Department of Health and Hospitals, 1965–1999; aide-de-camp to Governor John McKeithen
Businesspeople
- Edmund Graves Brown (1921–2008), executive of the Monroe News Star from 1952–1977; member of the Ewing newspaper family
- Grady A. Dugas (1923–2007), inventor of the "Safer Automatic Wheelchair Wheel Locks"
- Robert Ewing, III (1935–2007), Monroe newspaper executive and photographer
- Lloyd E. Lenard, author, originally advertising manager of KNOE Radio, later in the insurance business in Shreveport, former Caddo Parish commissioner
- Philip Nelson, Jr, Technology Emmy nominee for NewTek TriCaster
- Sol Rosenberg (1926–2009), steel industrialist; philanthropist; Holocaust survivor
- Collett E. Woolman, one of the original directors of Delta Air Service. The founders were Collett Woolman, C.H. McHenry, Travis Oliver, and M.S. Biedenharn.
Actors/Entertainment
- Clay Jordan, contestant on Survivor Thailand
- Mantan Moreland, former actor and comic of the 1930s and 1940s
- Ed Nelson, former Peyton Place co-star and New Orleans native retired to Sterlington after Hurricane Katrina
- Parker Posey, American film actress
- Susan Ward, American film and soap opera actress)
- Valerie Mason, September 2008 Playboy Playmate
Activists
- Huey P. Newton, Black Panthers founder
Writers
- Harry W. Addison, writer and humorist
- Speed Lamkin, novelist and playwright
- Margaret Sartor, memoirist (Miss American Pie) and photographer
- William Y. Thompson, retired historian from Louisiana Tech University
Others
- Moon Griffon, statewide radio talk show host
References
- ↑ http://www.thecajuns.com/oldnew.htm
- ↑ "Table 4: Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places in Louisiana, Listed Alphabetically: April 1, 2000, to July 1, 2007" (CSV). 2007 Population Estimates. United States Census Bureau, Population Division. 2008-07-10. http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2007-04-22.csv. Retrieved 2008-10-03.
- ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2007 (CBSA-EST2007-01)" (CSV). 2007 Population Estimates. United States Census Bureau, Population Division. 2008-03-27. http://www.census.gov/popest/metro/tables/2007/CBSA-EST2007-01.csv. Retrieved 2008-10-03.
- ↑ John D. Winters, The Civil War in Louisiana, Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1963, ISBN 0-8071-0834-0, p. 149
- ↑ Winters, pp. 307-308
- ↑ Winters, p. 406
- ↑ Winters, p. 416
- ↑ "Biedenharn Museum and Gardens". goby.com. http://www.goby.com/biedenharn-museum-and-gardens--near--monroe-la/ex-104335. Retrieved August 18, 2010.
- ↑ "Delta Heritage Museum". deltamuseum.org. http://www.deltamuseum.org/M_Education_DeltaHistory_Facts_Founder.htm. Retrieved August 18, 2010.
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ Oakland Athletics (2010). "Ben Sheets Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights". MLB Advanced Media, L.P.. http://athletics.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=282656. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
- ↑ PGA TOUR, Inc. (2010). "PGATOUR.com - Brian Bateman's Official Profile". Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.. http://www.pgatour.com/players/00/72/23/. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
- ↑ Sports Reference LLC (2010). "Benoit Benjamin NBA & ABA Statistics". http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/benjabe01.html. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
- ↑ NFL Enterprises LLC (2010). "Bubby Brister". http://www.nfl.com/players/bubbybrister/profile?id=BRI521505. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
- ↑ NFL Enterprises LLC (2010). "Billy Joe DuPree". http://www.nfl.com/players/billyjoedupree/profile?id=DUP519110. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
- ↑ Sports Reference LLC (2010). "Lenny Fant Coaching Record". http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/coaches/f/fantle01.html. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
- ↑ MLB Advanced Media, L.P. (2010). "Ralph Garr Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights". http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=114627. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
- ↑ NFL Enterprises LLC (2010). "Stan Humphries". http://www.nfl.com/players/stanhumphries/profile?id=HUM798051. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
- ↑ University of Louisiana at Monroe (2010). "Cardia Jackson - ULM Warhawks Athletics". College Sports Direct. http://www.ulmwarhawks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=90586&SPID=10968&temp_site=NO&DB_OEM_ID=19000&ATCLID=1205350&Q_SEASON=2009. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
- ↑ Dallas Cowboys (2010). "DallasCowboys.com - Official Site of the Dallas Cowboys". http://www.dallascowboys.com/team/team_biosPlayers.cfm?playerID=44463D9B-BBBE-EF65-0BD6579624A08383. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
- ↑ NFL Enterprises LLC (2010). "Shawn King". http://www.nfl.com/players/shawnking/profile?id=KIN636129. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
- ↑ NBA Media Ventures, LLC (2010). "NBA.com : Paul Millsap Bio Page". Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network. http://www.nba.com/playerfile/paul_millsap/bio.html. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
- ↑ "Kansas City Chiefs: Rudy Niswanger". 2010. http://www.kcchiefs.com/team/roster/Rudy-Niswanger/3e561707-c4c0-4de3-b149-30a67593b2af. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
- ↑ NFL Enterprises, LLC (2010). "Joe Profit". http://www.nfl.com/players/joeprofit/profile?id=PRO319455. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
External links
- City of Monroe
- Masur Museum
- Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo
- Monroe Civic Center
- Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum
- University of Louisiana at Monroe
- Monroe News Star
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