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Alexandria
Register Thank you for visiting the Alexandria Retrospective Web site. You can view more entries via the Register Index. If you haven't already signed the Register, we would be pleased if you would join the many others with Alexandria connections who have viewed this site, and take a minute to sign the Register! I was so thrilled to view your web site. It brought back so many wonderful memories. I grew up in Marksville where any special occasion was a reason to drive to Alex to celebrate. We did all of our shopping in Alex and always ate at the Bentley Restaurant when we did. I remember the smell of Kress's nuts roasting when you opened the door of the store. It felt so cold in there to young people not accustomed to a/c. I remember the "Dancing Waters" at Christmastime on the City Hall square. I remember the x-ray machines at Sears that checked your shoe size. They would probably be outlawed today. I remember Dinnat's Bakery where we purchased a treat to bring home. We swam on weekends at the City Park Pool which was a real treat as there was no pool in Marksville. I remember the many Masonic Home children swimming there also. After a swim we stopped for ice cream at Bordens - what a treat!!! I also remember summers at Magnolia Park, Shady Nook, and Castor Plunge. A really special trip was to Hot Wells where the pool was open to the public. Our parents could eat in the restaurant and watch us swim in the pool. The Christmas windows at Wellan's were magical with twirling dolls and gossamer clouds. Was it actually colder on those winter nights of our youth or did it just seem so? The pictures brought back many memories. I hope you will continue to add to your web page. I thank the Alexandria Daily Town Talk for publishing the article about you and your pictures. Luana Bordelon Cunningham Great site! I also miss the old ball parks and recreation areas that seemed to be in more abundance then, than now. You could always ride your bicycle anywhere to do something. Many of us hung out at Gravel's Drug store, where we could read comic books and drink soda fountain cokes until we were sick. Everyone wore a baseball cap. Nice trip down nostalgia lane. Thanks. Mike McDonald Ocala, Fla USA - Monday, June 30, 2003 at 13:21:50 (GMT) I am 76 years old and know most of those facts. Thanks for the memories. You have a wonderful site. I would like to read about the Army Camps located within 50 miles of Alexandria in the 1940s: Camp Claiborne, located near Forest
Hill, 135,000 army personnel. Alexandria was the center of the largest training area during WW2. All those figures may not be correct to the numbers but they are close. Also the world's largest army training mock war was held in this area. Many of our residents first saw Louisiana then and came back here to live after WW2. Fred T. Gunter
Great job, I enjoyed it greatly. Tell
Linda I remember Lazarones 1/2 dozen fried oysters & salad for
.65 cents . Do you know anyone's E-mail for 1959? Thanks - Jim Mitchell I was born in Alex in 1952. Lived in tioga
until I was 14. I remember, as a small girl, going to the 5&dime
store. Going to see Santa at the little house at City Hall. My father
ran different businesses in down town. Old Monroe cafe. And Step & Stone
Lounge. Little grocery store close to Rapides Hospital right about
where the back of Womens Hospital is now. I enjoyed going back and
seeing some of the places I remember as a child. Thank you.
Great site! Tracy Shelby Kansas City, MO USA - Saturday, June 28, 2003 at 23:58:18 (GMT) Does one truly ever leave Alexandria? John Melder Scottsdale, AZ USA - Saturday, June 28, 2003 at 03:53:12 (GMT)
Great! thanks! What about Lee St. Lazarone's? Jimmy Newell We learned about your web site in the Town Talk and accessed it at once. Even though we are not native to Louisiana and Alexandria, we thoroughly enjoyed the pics and learned some history about Alex. Some of those former sites must have been great in their time. It is nice to occasionally reminisce. Thanks for all your effort. Francis W. Artley Alexandria, LA USA - Saturday, June 28, 2003 at 02:23:27 (GMT) Wonderful trip down memory lane. My family and friends "traveled" to "Alec" on a monthly basis to do our shopping. For special occasions, we were sure to shop Wellan's, Lerner's, Baker's Shoe Store, Weiss', and any new shops down Third St. Lunch at Walgreen's, what a treat. Occasionally, we ate at Fuzzy's (curly ques), that was heavenly. Thanks for a great trip. Linda Linda Normand Lemoine Marksville, LA USA - Saturday, June 28, 2003 at 01:50:19 (GMT) What a great site, it brought back wonderful memories a terrific childhood. Keep up the good work. Mike Guinn Alexandria, LA USA - Friday, June 27, 2003 at 18:31:55 (GMT) Jo Lynn Airhart Moffett Hot Springs, AR USA - Friday, June 27, 2003 at 16:22:04 (GMT) Great web site!! Thanks James Michiels Pineville, Louisiana USA - Friday, June 27, 2003 at 15:20:13 (GMT) Read about your site in the Town Talk today and decided to take a look - it brought back so many memories. You've done a great job. I also spent most of my life on Alma Street - next door to the Bolens, attended Rosenthal, AJH and graduated from Bolton in 1973. Moved back to Louisiana 6 years ago but escaped to the country. Keep up the good work. Jonette Young Walker Hineston, LA USA - Friday, June 27, 2003 at 03:41:17 (GMT) I have really enjoyed this website. Thank you so much for bringing back so very many wonderful memories. I have lived in central Louisiana all of my life (79 years) and there are many things I had forgotten. This has really been a treat and I will visit it many times in the future. Also, tell my children who were brought up here but not live away. Thank you again for all the memories! Nita Rogers Nita Rogers Pineville, La USA - Friday, June 27, 2003 at 02:48:21 (GMT)
This is quite unique and does bring back old memories. I finished at Bolton HS in '45. I remember many things that were probably before your time. Joy Theater, Rex Theater, Saenger Theater, along with the Paramount Theater were all in downtown Alex. Joe Rivet I am very impressed with both the thoughtfulness and the comprehensiveness of this fine piece of work. I particularly appreciate anyone who is so willing to share his/her creativity and memories so generously with others. It sounds as if we came from about the same era in Alexandria, so I could readily identify with everything in the "show." I get back to the Alexandria area from time to time, and next visit I will make sure that I do more than just drive through my hometown (or perhaps drive over might be more appropriate!) because your thought-provoking piece of work does resonate with me. Thank you so much for sharing! Fred Bosarge
A mutual friend shared this web site with me. I enjoyed my visit. It sort of reminded me of some old landmarks in my hometown of Baton Rouge. Our friend might be too young to remember them but I found myself reminiscing. Keep up the good work. If you get more interesting pictures or additional information on this site let me know. I especially liked the Bentley. Congrats on a first class web site. Joyce Derozan Wonderful! I miss Alexandria so much... Karen Roman Littleton, CO USA - Thursday, June 26, 2003 at 19:12:27 (GMT)
This was so wonderful....I was born and raised in Alexandria, as were my parents, Kenneth and Mary Risley Newell (both deceased). Did it bring back memories...oh my, what great memories. Graduated from Bolton in 1959. I remember the old City Hall well; my father worked for the city (electrician) and he played the Christmas music from the top floor of the city hall for the Christmas parade..so I got to help him and saw the parade and people from a fabulous view. I remember the Ringling Bros. circus train coming to town..Borden's on Sun. afternoon, A&W Root Beer, Lazarone's, Fuzzy's, Pack of Fun Club at Don Theatre...what a great place and time to grow up...the 50's in Alexandria. Linda Newell Watson
We moved to Alexandria from Leesville when I was 4...lived there from 1969-1980. We lived on Bluebird in Highpoint Subdivision. There was a cattle field in the backyard. Now Hunter's Grove Subdivision is there. A lot of the pics and memories are before my time, but I do remember a few things about downtown, such as the balcony at the Paramount, the Don Theatre, Funland at the zoo and drinking water from the lion's head. I remember shopping with my mom at Wellan's downtown also. We moved away when I was 14, but Alex was still where we came to shop. When I graduated from college in 88, I moved back and married and we lived in Airview Terrace for 12 years. We recently moved back out to the country, feeling that we would rather raise our children "out" of town, than in it. It would be nice if our world was still as peaceful and serene as some of the downtown photos show, wouldn't it?? Kim
Thank you for a trip down memory lane. I often long for some of the places that are no more--the candy counter at Kress, Fuzzy's, Effie's, Wellan's. I do go back to Alex., since I have family there. Mary Honeycutt Leckie I have lived here for only 6 years so it was wonderful hearing about the place that I now call home. Ryan Henagan Many thanks for the photos. I grew up 15 miles south of "Alex". My mother worked at Weiss & Goldring, so I have memories of walking downtown to the "old" Kress building, seeing the Christmas displays in Wellan's windows, and Grant's had the best lunch counter, because you had a place to store your packages under the counter.
The best place to get curly fries was at Fuzzy's located on Bolton Avenue. You had to park in the back lot and a waitress would bring it out to you in your car. My father drove a school bus for Rapides Parish for many years. He used to buy tires for the bus at Firestone on Bolton Avenue. He would let me walk over to Sears across the street to shop. I could go on and on with my memories of "Alex" (only the locals pronounce this way) -- all the memories are good ones. My husband and I are planning to move back to Lecompte area in 2 years. Looking forward to getting back to were it all started. Thank you for the retrospective. LCraig
Alexandria has been my home since the late 80's when my father established his medical private practice there. Although in relative terms I am a "newcomer" to Alexandria, your photographic narrative truly strikes a chord in me, as most of my 21 years were spent growing up in the Garden District. Now a senior at the U.S. Naval Academy, I find myself able to return to Alexandria less and less, and the rigors of a military lifestyle offer little time to enjoy what fond memories I have of home. Thank you for reviving those memories. Jonathan S. Parker I lived in Alexandria all of my life and remember when the places were new and beautiful. It is sad to see them in such terrible shape!! Everytime I go "downtown", I wish for my old Alexandria. Nealta Coco Bergeron Boyce, LA USA - Tuesday, June 24, 2003 at 13:48:37 (GMT)
Thank you for the wonderful trip down memory lane. I was raised on Stanford St. and went to Bush Ave. and Bolton, graduating in 1950. A fellow student, Gerry Perry Mangney, who lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming found this and sent it to me. I would have loved to have seen Capps and Lazarones in the group of pictures. You didn't go home without going to these two places. At Lazarones you had curley-ques and pink lemonade. Sometimes you went to Cotton's Bakery and got a loaf of HOT bread, and someone brought the butter and we had that with the pink lemonade. I found a place here in Lake Charles that makes cherry nectars. WONDERFUL. I think the teenagers of the 40's and 50's lived in the best time. I even saw where my cousin, Al Westbrook, Jr., from Garland, Texas has signed in. Thanks for bringing back such happy memories. Things I tell my grandchildren about. Now I can show them. Harriette LaCour Dyson Would you mention that my Grandfather, Fred Bell, worked at Armour Meat Company on Third Street. My grandmother, Louise Raney Bell, was the first child born at the Baptist Hospital in 1917. My Father, Donald R. Boudreaux, used to work at the old Ward Hardware on Lee Street and retired from the City of Alexandria Fire Department. My mother, Floretta Bell Boudreaux, worked at Guaranty Bank on Third Street. Rose Lu Alex., LA USA - Sunday, June 22, 2003 at 20:43:20 (GMT) I think you should mention Nick's Po-Boy Restaurant that was located on Lee Street. It is now Church's Fried Chicken. Mary Lee Lazarone Alex., LA USA - Sunday, June 22, 2003 at 20:32:11 (GMT) Please let Jeanne Kule (Wayne's wife I assume) that Lou and Laura's on Jackson St. extension is closed. I was in Alex. several weeks ago and noticed it was empty. I believe Laura has passed away. No more good ole poboys like we remember anywhere...Thanks. Melonie Lambdin Saffery Hutto, TX USA - Saturday, June 21, 2003 at 20:47:32 (GMT) Thanks. I needed that. Kim Hebert Miller All my Alexandria memories are childhood, as we moved to Baton Rouge in 1972 after 7th grade at Brame Jr High. We lived at 2446 Hill Street then moved to 3111 Coldstream in Wegewood. I attended Rugg & Aiken elementary schools, and my older brothers graduated from Bolton (Allen '66 & Bryan '70). My father worked at W R Aldrich Construction Company.
A few memories: boat races at Buhlow Lake; exploring old Fort Buhlow; Kiwanis Christmas trees at the Community Center; Bowlero; root beers at Reed & Bell (the Talambases were neighbors); riding the boats, rockets & helicopters at the park; walking to swimming lessons at the pool; RC "airport" with an F-84; airshows at EAFB; Dixie Youth baseball (WR Aldrich & Blackman's Laundry); the Aces at Bringhurst (Padres' farm team at the time). Burgers at Burger Chef and the "new" McDonald's on MacArthur; Sally's Grocery Store; smelling the bread baking at Holsum; Dairy Queen; Laverne Perry, Ajax & the "little wranglers" on TV; the Scouting store in Wellan's; Jackson Street Church of Christ; Turpin Pontiac; Bunny Bread store. And drinking from the lion's mouth at the zoo; swimming at the Fleur-de-Lis motel pool; traffic circles; Herbie K's ("world's worst service"); Shipley's Donuts; the "zoo" at the gas station (Skelly?); brick streets; big green suckers from the concession stand at Don's Theatre; the Hokus Pokus sign; Bolton football games; "Championship Wrestling" on Channel 5 from the "new" Coliseum; LSU football on KALB radio; KSYL & K-Dixie; Christmas shopping at Sears; Paige's Veterinary; Maxie the Bear; family & friends. I could go on, but I'll save some for later. Thanks for cleaning out some of the cobwebs. Jon Simmons My husband is from Alexandria and this past week I was talking to our company's "plant lady" and she is from Colfax. She was telling me that the Lazarone family has opened another restaurant on MacArthur Drive which serves PoBoys like what used to be served at Fuzzy's. Can you tell me the name and location of this restaurant? We will be in Alex the mid part of July and I would love to take my husband there for lunch or dinner. He says Lou and Laura's is a as close as he has been able to come to the drippy PoBoys from Fuzzy's. Jeanne Kule Dallas, TX USA - Monday, June 16, 2003 at 16:13:22 (GMT) I was born in Alexandria on December 13, 1947, in the hospital on the banks of the Red River. We actually lived across the river in Pineville, but Pineville didn't have a hospital. My family moved to California when I was 9 years old, but I still have many fond memories of my childhood in Louisiana. I was only 9, but I still can remember the Saturday matinees at the Don Theater and our homemade treehouse that we built ourselves in the giant oak tree alongside the creek that ran through our backyard. John Harrison Santa Ana, CA USA - Sunday, June 15, 2003 at 23:36:20 (GMT) Enjoyed the Web site; like going back in time. Lived there for a while when I went to Louisiana College. Still have family in Alex and go back quite often. Travis Taylor Houston, TX USA - Friday, June 13, 2003 at 21:01:35 (GMT) Very Nicely done. I enjoy nostalgic items about the past. Eric McCarty Alexandria, La USA - Tuesday, June 10, 2003 at 21:14:43 (GMT)
I was born at 6 Bolton Ave. & (Gould) Rapides Avenue, on April 4th, 1920. Swam in Bayou Rapides, and shined shoes in almost all of the old buildings. Played in Mockingbird Park. Bro. Dewey & A.P. Phillips floated down the Red River & Mississippi River to New Orleans on a mattress. We really have enjoyed looking & remembering the past with you. Joe A. Phillips Very nice and brings back many memories. John Dupre' Lafayette, La USA - Thursday, June 05, 2003 at 04:05:15 (GMT) Would like to see more pictures of time gone by Morris Bordelon Pineville, La USA - Wednesday, June 04, 2003 at 04:05:41 (GMT)
Thanks for the memories! I grew up in Pineville in the 50's and 60's, so Alexandria holds many special memories in my heart. My grandfather owned the Deluxe Hat Shop on 3rd street..across from Swartzbergs..and my great aunt worked at Swartzbergs. What a treat to spend the day at my grandfather's hat shop, visit my aunt across the street and have lunch at Hotel Bentley on a special day. Also bought my shoes at Rice's Shoe Store and Peoples Shoe Store. Thanks!! Arleen Aucoin Hague Great pictures. I moved to Alexandria when my father was transferred to England AFB in 1969. I was a member of the first freshman class at ASH. My Jr and Sr years were at Bolton High School, graduating in 1973. I have only been back a few times, the last was in 2002. My mom still lives in the house they bought when we came to Alexandria. Bill Correll Rancho Cordova, CA USA - Tuesday, June 03, 2003 at 20:31:01 (GMT) Thanks again for getting copies made of my dad's old grocery store back in the 70's. I have checked out your hometown site and I think it's great. It's nice to see other mom and pops stores like the one my dad had. Even though I live in Baton Rouge, where my dad's store was, it's still nice to know that their are people like you around that enjoy the old style of architecture. It definitely brings back memories to us all. Too bad there aren't too many of those small town businesses left. Patti M. Bruce |
