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Monroe traces its long and storied history to the Ouachita River, and the steamboat era. Today, Monroe features many reminders of yesteryear, from retro motels on historic U.S. 80, to the classic
architecture of its bank buildings downtown near the Ouachita River, to fine homes along Bayou Desiard, and a variety of museums and historical sites.
It is the home of the widely known and respected Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo. The Biedenharn Museum & Gardens features the family home built by Joe Biedenharn, the first bottler of Coca-Cola.
Monroe is only about 95 miles northeast of Alexandria, connected to nearby CenLA via U.S. 165. Situated on Interstate Highway I-20, Monroe is the largest city in Northeast Louisiana, and is the home to the University of Louisiana at Monroe. It is also the parish seat of Ouachita Parish, established on March 31, 1807 and later split into nine parishes. The parish is named after the local indian tribe.
Settlements in the area began when Don Juan Filhiol was sent to establish Spanish Fort Miro on the Ouachita River. Fort Miro later became "Monroe" in May of 1819 to honor President James Monroe and the first steamboat to travel up the Ouachita to North Louisiana.
Monroe's Selman Field was where Delta Air Lines was founded ... learn more by visiting at the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum of Louisiana.
Area communities include Ruston, Farmerville, Rayville, Sterlington, Bastrop, and Columbia.
Monroe and West Monroe also have a number of other art galleries, museums and antique stores worth experiencing. Below are a few historic postcard images of Monroe.
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