Floreda has an extensive collection of Alexandria matchbook covers, gathered mainly during the World War II years. She has graciously given her time to scan the covers, and provide them for publication on the Retrospective so that all can enjoy. She has also generously contributed a number of early Alexandria photographs. Thanks Floreda!

Instructions:

The collection is categorized as shown below...each category will open in a new window and play a Macromedia Flash movie of the matchbooks The outside of each matchbook cover is shown first, and then the reverse side. If the inside has signifcant content or wording, then an inside image will be shown 3rd. Once the window opens, click the button to play.... there might be a slight delay while the images load and begin displaying. Other buttons that control your viewing experience are shown to the right. Click on an image below to begin...		Play
		Thumbnails
		Full image
		Next
		Pause

	Where we slept: Hotels and motels Hotel Bentley, Rapides Hotel, Evangeline Hotel, more...
	Where we relaxed: Bars, lounges, clubs, saloons, liquor stores Green Frog, Rendezvous, Three Corners, Sport Bar, more...
	Where we dined: Restaurants and cafes Elite Cafe, Maxie's, L&A Cafe, Manhattan Cafe, more...
	Where we conducted business: Banks, drug stores, mercantile, retail Modern Cab, French Unique, Bridges Drug, more...

More about Floreda

Floreda graduated from Bolton High school as part of the Class of 1941, described in the attached Commencement Program (click for Page 1 Page 2 Page 3).

Her family includes several generations that lived in Central Louisiana. Her mother graduated from Bolton in 1917. Her mother's paternal ancestors came into Alexandria from Germany in 1847. Floreda's grandfather piloted the ferry from Alex to Pineville before the bridge was built.

Her first job was a short stint at Kress followed by several years with W.T. Grant, in Alexandria and Houston. While working at Grant's in Alexandria, she took many photos of the downtown area, from both street level and from the upper floor of the store. She also began collecting matchbook covers, from stores that she visited, or those that she found around town. Her brother and mother also added to her collection.

Floreda was an active member of the "Military Maids" that catered to the tens of thousands of military serving in the Alexandria area during the war. She contributed to the war effort by her involvement in various USO activities such as dances and "in-home meals" for service men.

Later, she proudly served as a public information officer for four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, and earned a degree from the University of Florida. Today, she resides with her husband in Tallahassee, but retains strong ties with Alexandria. She is active in geneology, and visits the Alexandria Geneological Library and other resources in CenLA periodically.

Floreda's interest in Alexandria is appreciated, as are her contributions to the Alexandria Retrospective!