Register Volume 4

Thanks for visiting the Alexandria Retrospective Web site. Shown below is part of the entries made by visitors to our site. You can view more entries via the Register Index.

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I spent my morning viewing the pictures and remembering. I have been away from Alexandria for 23 years now and when I go home, I sometimes feel lost with all the changes. I also appreciated the slower pace and those things that we now take for granted. Thanks so much for the memories!
Marie Coleman Cochran
Lufkin, TX USA - Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 13:50:13 (GMT)

KEN: THANKS. THIS WAS GREAT!

BEVERLY "GOUDEAU" LEONARD
BATON ROUGE USA - Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 12:55:12 (GMT)

I was born and raised in Alexandria, and still have family there. Your Retrospective brought back many memories. I, also, find many changes when I go back to visit, and am very sad as I drive through downtown. I left Alexandria in 1956.
Jean Vanderhoeven Lee
Arroyo Grande, CA USA - Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 07:57:19 (GMT)

I was raised in Colfax from l929 until l941. Dad always put us in the car during Christmas time and took us to Kress to do our Christmas shopping. I bought my wedding dress at Weiss & Goldring. The Don is a very special theater for me because that's where I went on my first date with my husband. I purchased the dress I wore to my daughter's wedding and the one I wore to my son's wedding at Wellan's. Breaks my heart to see the parking lot there. I registered my silver and china at C. A. Schnack Jewelry.

My husband was in the Navy 25 years but we came back and settled in Natchitoches. We still love shopping in Alexandria when we get a chance but it has changed so much there aren't too many reminders there. Thank you so much for making this available to me and I am sure plenty more people with memories like mine. You have done a great service. Thanks for the trip back in the past. EVE
Evelyn S. Roach
Natchitoches , La. USA - Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 07:08:06 (GMT)

Thanks for the tour, it brought back a few memories.
Danny Van Mol
Alexandria, La USA - Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 04:52:15 (GMT)
I remember spending Saturday mornings at the "Pack of Fun Club" at the Don Theater - watching all the cliff-hanger serials, participating in the talent show on stage and then staying for the double feature...And seeing Little Richard live on stage at the Rex Theater. Curly Q's from Fuzzy's, Mr. Dean's wonderful sliced barbeque on white bread with mustard only, hot bread straight from the Holsum Bakery oven with a stick of butter, and cherry nectars from the soda fountain -mmmmmm Those were the days! Thanks for sharing your photos and memories.
MaryAnn Jordan Teutsch
Sugar Land, TX USA - Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 04:51:25 (GMT)
I really enjoyed looking at your retrospective. Although I did not live there, I remember going to "Alec" to shop from my hometown, Jena. We all "dressed up" in our good clothes to go to Wellans, Weisses, etc. I also remember many Friday night trips to eat barbeque po-boys at Fuzzy's. Saw my first Beatles movie at the Don. I have often told my children about the wonderful Christmas displays in the windows of Wellans and W&G. Thank you for bringing back some great memories!
Kathy White
Winnfield, LA USA - Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 04:43:31 (GMT)

Went thru in lock-step with Ken's Retrospective, grew up in the same neighborhood, went to the same grade school only it was know as Providence Academy for the first three years I was there. Have returned to Alexandria more in the last three years to visit with my ailing parents than I had since I tore out for the LSU School of Architecture in August of 1958.

Thank you for sharing your efforts and compliments on the polished finish product.
John
John Spencer Mixon
Atlanta, GA USA - Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 04:13:28 (GMT)

Looks familiar!!
Where's Bolton High School? I just couldn't be a look back at Alexandria without mentioning it...
Shelly Close
Alexandria, LA USA - Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 03:04:17 (GMT)

Great! graduated Bolton in 1955 and went off to Louisiana Tech to further the education and make a living. After a very interesting career there and yonder, moved back to Alexandria about seven years ago after having been gone for 40 or so years. I find the place better. Your pics and comments bring back fond memories. We grew up in a PRISTINE ENVIRONMENT in a UNIQUE time. I am forever thankful of the wonderful times and places you have shared with us.

Our Class of 55 talks about a "50th Bolton Reunion" but this nostalgic portrait you have provided leads me to think we need to have a reunion of all of us who grew up here in the last five or so decades. As I ride around town.... even now......... all those places you caught in pictures, any of course the many that are no longer there, just bring back memories that are all positive and precious. Incidentally, the historic pics that Newcome Studio assembled now reside at the Genealogical Museum in downtown Alexandria.

Wish we could somehow assemble some sort of GRAND REUNION for those of us who remember and appreciate growing up in a wonderful time and place we can NOW appreciate. Any ideas old friends? Addresses are not posted here but I may be found @AOLcom. God Bless.
Russell Marsh
Alexandria, LA USA - Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 02:56:59 (GMT)

Beautifully done. As one writer to another, this is great! JoAnn
JoAnn Hollier
Minden, LA USA - Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 01:46:05 (GMT)
Ken, we thoroughly enjoyed the presentation; it brought back many wonderful memories.
Janice Pourcy Boyce
Covington, LA USA - Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 00:28:56 (GMT)
I grew up in Boyce. What a blast to walk down memory lane, thinking of "slipping down" on the polished tiles at Wellans, or seeing "Gunfight at OK Corral" with my Dad at the Don theater. BUT, where did Mr. Dean's Barbecue go, and what about Jesse Doyle's barbecue shop? Yep, I-49 took them all. But, my memoiries still live on. Thanks for a great trip back to Alexandira, 'nearly" my home town.

Bill Phillips
Springfield, OR USA - Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 00:03:09 (GMT)

I grew up in Alexandria in the 1950's and 60's. My paper route was on Bolton St and Lee St. Many afternoons I drank a cold soda at the Nehi plant and ate fresh FRESH potato chips off of the production line at the chip plant, also on Lee St. That would be after I heard the 6 PM bell go off at the fire station.
Ricky Edgerton
Shreveport, LA USA - Monday, January 20, 2003 at 23:55:49 (GMT)
I really enjoyed viewing these landmarks in alex.
Frances G. Harper
Birmingham, AL. USA - Monday, January 20, 2003 at 23:27:55 (GMT)
I lived in Alexandria from 1970 to 1983. A well remembered home town.
Russell Loeffler
Gilbert, az USA - Monday, January 20, 2003 at 22:49:29 (GMT)
I was not born there but grew up in Alex from 1972 until I went to college in 1984. I attended Cabrini and Menard and worked at Weiss & Goldring during the summers. My Dad and step mom now live in Pineville, so I don't see as much of Alex as I would like when we visit. I remember eating at Lazarone's, shopping downtown & playing tennis in City Park. I spent my whole life wanting to leave Alex for the bright lights of a bigger city. Even today when I visit I am overwhelmed with wonderful memories of growing up there in a simpler place and time. Thanks for the retrospective.
Shelly Breedlove Labbe'
New Orleans, LA USA - Monday, January 20, 2003 at 22:40:51 (GMT)
WONDERFUL! Thanks for making the effort. Are there any good old picture books available?..maybe Newcomb studios? My father was Otis Edgerton and he took thousands of pictures of old buildings, etc. around Alex. When he died they were divived up among his 4 children. I hope to resurrect them someday. Please keep me posted to any further efforts on your part...maybe a book?? THANKS AGAIN!
Edwin ( Ed ) O. Edgerton, III
West Monroe, LA USA - Monday, January 20, 2003 at 22:12:27 (GMT)
Oh yes, I remember those days well. In 1956, I met my airman future husband in that old Continental Trailways Bus station, introduced by my cousins boyfriend. I was raised north of Alex. near Bentley, but visited Alex. often, especially during my teens. Fond, innocent, ne'r to be forgotten memories flood me in these pictures. Thank you for helping me remember times past, never to be seen again as it used to be, neither physically, socially, or in pure innocence. Linda
Linda Welch Anderson
Benton, La USA - Monday, January 20, 2003 at 21:53:46 (GMT)
enjoyed it
Elizabeth Davidson Greaves
Melbourne, VI Australia - Monday, January 20, 2003 at 21:53:41 (GMT)
I think this was a nice tribute to "Elek". Thanks for the time and effort to put this together and share with us.
Dawn Woods Eiser
Houston, TX USA - Monday, January 20, 2003 at 21:34:38 (GMT)
Greatly enjoyed the trip into the past. Only lived in Alexandria for 18 years. Have fond memories of friends and events from those years. Thanks for the ride.
Don Painter
Houston, TX USA - Monday, January 20, 2003 at 21:23:47 (GMT)
What a wonderful recollection of my old home town--Finished Bolton High School in 1955 and married my high school sweetheart, Jane Pearce. Thanks for the memories. Clyde D. Hart
Clyde D. Hart
Bellaire, TX United States - Monday, January 20, 2003 at 21:07:37 (GMT)
verry verry interesting job well done
richard farris
boyce, la USA - Monday, January 20, 2003 at 20:29:26 (GMT)
I just reviewed your Alexandria Retrospective. It was ABSOLUTELY GREAT!! I was born here 4Jan38 at old Baptist Hospital, attended BHS, went to Tulane for pre-med and med school and residency. I returned to start private practice in surgery with MacArthur Surgical Clinic. After 32.5 years, I retired 31Dec02. Your pictures and comments bring back SOOO many memories. I could add some comments on almost every picture. I, like many others, probably have some photos that would be interesting. This COULD be the start of a great pictorial history of Alexandria.

Thanks again for a great tour. I am forwarding it on to as many as I can. Sincerely,

Don Edgerton
Donald G. Edgerton, MD
Alexandria, LA USA - Monday, January 20, 2003 at 20:07:53 (GMT)

Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane! It seems like several lifetimes ago.
Cherie Vanderhoeven
Baton Rouge, LA United States - Monday, January 20, 2003 at 16:37:28 (GMT)
That was pretty depressing. Luckily my memories of Alexandria are better than these -- having to do with people and activities, not shut-up buildings. I am glad I no longer live there, but Alexandria will always be a part of my life.
Elizabeth Priest Stork
Pittsburgh, PA USA - Monday, January 20, 2003 at 15:24:10 (GMT)
Congratulations !!
There is indeed not enough of these material for the generations to come. It is only with a work like this that people will more understand the one, the other, because they will learn of each individual background. Just remember: If yesterday is not important for to-day, than to-day has no meaning for the future !

Mark Thiels
B-1600, BELGIUM - Monday, January 20, 2003 at 15:17:26 (GMT)

wow- that brings back a lot of really good childhood memories, What about the treacherous Murray Street Bridge that you had to drive across before you'd completed Drivers Education? That may be one for the old record book!
Teresa Priest Doyle
Houston, TX USA - Monday, January 20, 2003 at 12:56:04 (GMT)

We really enjoyed it. Brought back a lot of good memories. thank you
Karen Cayer/ Harris
Biloxi, Ms USA - Monday, January 20, 2003 at 03:17:37 (GMT)
I have lived many places since alexandria - thank you so much for reminding me of its uniqueness -
Pat Godfrey
Baton Rouge, LA USA - Monday, January 20, 2003 at 00:45:26 (GMT)
I lived in Alexandria for 22 years raising children and establishing lasting friendships with many. I left in 1993 to tend to aging parents in Baton Rouge and was so sad to leave. This was home!
Carolyn Broussard Disbrow
Magnolia, TX USA - Sunday, January 19, 2003 at 23:29:37 (GMT)
Just finished looking at your site. I was born and raised in Alexandria and your pictures brought back many memories. I went to school at St Francis Xavier School on Fourth Street. Thanks for the memories. Billie
Billie Stuckey Levine Schoolsky
Lake Charles,, La USA70601 - Sunday, January 19, 2003 at 22:41:06 (GMT)
This was great - brought back many wonderful memories. Thanks.
Jo Lou (Swanson) Christensen
Bedford, TX USA - Sunday, January 19, 2003 at 22:29:57 (GMT)
I certainly enjoyed going down memory lane. I never go down Chester St. without looking at our old homes as I pass Alma St. Thanks for all the work you did on this.
Anne Baker Jones
Alexandria, LA USA - Sunday, January 19, 2003 at 22:01:35 (GMT)

Aloha. Wonderful site & memories. All of our family born & raised in Alex. I was born Baptist Hospital 1948. Graduated Bolton 1966. Raced around like a maniac in my blue 63 vette until sent to Viet Nam in 1968. Never returned to Alex until 2000. Arrived very late one night with oldies from the sixties playing. Drove around town. Felt like I was in the twilight zone.

Grandfather was in politics in Alex for 35 years. He was Mr. Bill, the main innovator of the city Park, Zoo & all the ball parks. See lots of names I recognize in this message board.

Aloha to all from David Lambdin & Family.
David Lambdin
Princeville, HI USA - Sunday, January 19, 2003 at 20:16:34 (GMT)

good memories endure. sadly alex. looks awful. great friends remain and when i go home i still feel good about growing up surrounded by the best people in all the world. i have lots of stories...thank you for the alexandria retrospective. maybe we can scan in some childhood photos and expand this into an alexandria family album!
karlyn painter greenberg
houston, tx USA - Sunday, January 19, 2003 at 19:05:12 (GMT)
very enjoyable, brought back many memories, from OLPS to Providence and Menard, not to mention the city itself. "thanks for the memories".
Kitty Treadway Nassif
Alexandria, LA USA - Sunday, January 19, 2003 at 07:10:46 (GMT)
Thanks for a great journey back!
Deborah VanDevelde
Tyler, TX USA - Sunday, January 19, 2003 at 06:19:41 (GMT)
Lived in Alex/Pineville 1960-1969. Was the first planning director (Rapides Area Planning Commission) and later the general manager for Alpine City development owned by Jim Baker, Jack and Ben Holt, Darrel Willett, Ben Fendler, Ray Williford and Harry Sutton. Francis Kees Lofton referred the site to us. Thanks for the great memories. Jim and Lavon
Jim Mills and Lavon Hudson Mills
Georgetown, TX USA - Sunday, January 19, 2003 at 04:29:09 (GMT)
Thank you for sharing the Alexandria I remember...After being gone for many years I returned four years ago and stood at the fence surrounding the City Park Pool that was being destroyed and cried..what a wonderful city to grow up in, go to school in and be from. Alexandria will always be in my heart.
Melonie Lambdin Saffery
Austin, TX USA - Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 22:40:08 (GMT)
Lots of fun re-living old memories. Leaving Alex. when I graduated from Bolton Hi in 1961, I missed the gradual changes, only to experience them in "chunks" on my visits. Very nice job! Reed & Bell - I'd forgotten about that one.
Michael Martin
Louisville, KY USA - Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 22:35:03 (GMT)
If only I had the energy to walk all over town like we used to do. Those "Were" The Days !!!!!

Sherry Brasher Bates
Lafayette, LA USA - Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 20:43:06 (GMT)

Alexandria is my home town. Grew up there. Daughter of Claude and Sarah Posey. Went to Rosenthal Grammar, graduated from Bolton High in 1955. Grew up off Chester St. on Bayou Dr. Attended Trinity Methodist Church. Thanks for the really wonderful trip down memory lane!
Wonderful!
Sandra Posey Allen
Cypress, TX USA - Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 20:11:46 (GMT)
Graduated PHS 1962 Lived most of my young life in Wardville
Albert Westbrook Jr
Garland , TX USA - Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 19:53:44 (GMT)
very nice
bill bates >
lafayette, la USA - Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 19:23:57 (GMT)
I would love to see some pictures of the old United Electric & Magneto added to this fine collection. Owned by "Cuz" Odis Miller and operated right up until I-49 came through that area. My Father "Jerry Vandevelde" was the head mechanic there. I was able to go there and learn the basics that led to my career as an Offshore Mechanical Supervisor. We used to always go to the "Double V Cafe" to eat lunch. They had the best meals and cheese burgers I ever ate. Thanks for the memories.
Andy Vandevelde
Alexandria, La. USA - Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 17:40:03 (GMT)
Having grown up in Alexandria--this brought back many memories.
Larry Stuart
Gatesville, TX USA - Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 17:00:09 (GMT)
Thanks for the fond memories. I missed not seeing Bolton High School.
Mary Loeffler
San Antonio, TX USA - Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 15:58:44 (GMT)
This was a fantastic journey back into the past which means so much to us all! Thanks for the memories! Alexandria was a fine place to raise families!
Barbara Hawthorne Moehlenpah
Alexandria, La USA - Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 00:54:07 (GMT)
Enjoyed everthing
Ken Brossett
Alexandria, La USA - Friday, January 17, 2003 at 23:53:37 (GMT)
Brings a tear to my eyes!!
Dr. Ernie McCullough
Margate, Fl. USA - Friday, January 17, 2003 at 22:29:36 (GMT)