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So many memories of home . . . of the south . . . of my childhood . . .
Mary Susan White Hurley
Midland, MI USA - Thursday, September 30, 2004 at 23:31:08 (GMT)
I lived in Alexandria for a short time (1958 to 1977) when I moved back to Houston Texas which is my home town. I had some good times there especially going to the home football games at Bolton stadium on Friday nights in the fall. And I also liked to listen to the LSU football games during their national championship run. I would like to hear from my ex-class mates that I was at Bolton High School with. I graduated from Bolton in May of 1969. It was a great school.
John C. Jones
Houston, TX USA - Thursday, September 30, 2004 at 16:48:58 (GMT)
I was born in Baptist Hospital, which is now Rapides General Hospital, in 1960. I've lived here 44 years, and have worked for the Alexandria Fire Department for the past 20 years. This site really brought back a lot of memories for me. I remember going Christmas shopping downtown with my parents, and all of the traffic, and all of the people walking on the sidewalks.
We would spend the entire day downtown, at Sears, and Kress...I loved to go to Kress because they had tons of candy that you could smell as soon as you walked in, and they sold little turtles with the plastic containers that had the little palm tree in the middle to keep your turtle in. My brother and I went through many turtles in those days. I also remember that we would go to Walgreens drug store for lunch after a long day of walking and shopping.
I am also privledged to say I went to many movies at the Don and Paramount theaters. I liked to sit in the balcony at the Paramount. Those truly were THE GOOD OLD DAYS! Great site. Thank you!
Donnie Gauthier
Alexandria, LA USA - Sunday, September 26, 2004 at 18:32:15 (GMT)
Enjoyed the site.
Gary Moore
Alexandria, LA USA - Sunday, September 26, 2004 at 16:39:11 (GMT)
Many times I've told my husband that I wish I could find some old pictures and stories of downtown Alexandria and the surrounding area. You site was just what I was looking for. I really enjoyed the history and the photos. I just loved it and I will visit it occasionally to see if you have new photos or stories. Thank you so much for your wonderful site. Thanks again! Cindy
Cynthia Nelson
Deville, LA USA - Wednesday, September 22, 2004 at 02:12:11 (GMT)
My ties to Alexandria come by way of my grandfather, Calvin Shaw, Sr. and my uncle John D. Shaw. My grandfather was a farmer when he died in 1958 in Samtown. I don't know where he was buried. My Uncle John was a barber in Alexandria in the 60's. If anyone knows anything about my grandfather, please let me know.
Carolyn Hewitt
Atlanta, Ga. USA - Tuesday, September 21, 2004 at 20:32:15 (GMT)
Always nice to remember where are roots are planted....thank you so much!
Marba Faye Rubin Mallet
Pompano Beach, Fl. USA - Monday, September 20, 2004 at 14:22:08 (GMT)
Living in Boca Raton , Florida for the past 18 years, via New York - anyone know Peggy Gray ?
Joanne Rubin Benenati
Boca Raton , FL USA - Sunday, September 19, 2004 at 02:52:04 (GMT)
My mother, Lena Michel, was born in Alexandria, and although I never lived there, I often visited my grandparents and other relatives. As a child I loved the city and would have been thrilled to live in such a lovely place. I vividly recall visiting my grandparents during World War II and how busy Alexandria was, with all the soldiers in town.
I may never have the opportunity to visit Alexandria again, but this Retrospective has been food for my soul. If I lived forever, Alexandria would always be the sweetest of memories.
Adele Morgan Klein
Richmond, VA USA - Saturday, September 18, 2004 at 16:59:04 (GMT)
This brought back many memories to one who was born in Alexandria and whose parents were born there.
Harry Michel
Boca Raton, FL USA - Saturday, September 18, 2004 at 15:01:09 (GMT)
Mike and I sure do miss our home town. My dad Don Bertrand Sr. is the only family we have left to visit. And last we saw of Alex were great changes. We have settled in a small town outside of the Great Smokie Mountains, AKA God's Country. We are raising our four children and two grandchildren here. Hope all is well. E-Mail us soon. Stephanie
Stephanie Bertrand Sands
Coalfield, Tn USA - Friday, September 17, 2004 at 05:04:10 (GMT)
Thanks for preparing this wonderful glimpse of our past in Alexandria. Many of us have left over the years, but it is clear that the experiences we had growing up in Alexandria have not left our hearts.
Robert Hardy
Houston, Tx USA - Friday, September 17, 2004 at 01:37:43 (GMT)
My father, Harold Chambers, came to Alexandria during WWII , met and married my mother Mildred Wells whose father was Thomas O. Wels and mother Hattie Morgan. I have not had time to go through all the Web site, but the Retrospectives brought a tear or two to my eyes. Unfortunatly, I saw nothing about the old Paramount Theater but pictures of that great loss are probably hard to come by, or I just missed it. I remember when they were trying to get it on the National Register, and it collapsed before it could be saved.
Thank you for this site - BOY! Wwhat memories. My son now lives in New York but maintains the Rapides Parish Geneology page. I am forwarding this site to him as I am sure he will appreciate it. Again, Thanks for the Memories!! Marilyn Chambers .
If you have any response to this posting, please let me know who you are as I delete all unknown emails Thank you.
Marilyn Chambers
Alexandria, LA 71302 - Tuesday, September 14, 2004 at 00:11:13 (GMT)
Just discovered this wonderful site! I returned to Alexandria in 1989 after having lived all over Louisiana. Great to be home. And great to read all the comments concerning Alexandria.
Donald Brasher
Alexandria, La USA - Friday, September 10, 2004 at 04:25:44 (GMT)
I moved to Alexandria in 1984, and I am a partner in the architectural firm of Ashe Broussard Weinzettle. I recently had the opportunity to work on the new Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center that now occupies the old Wellan's site. I enjoyed reading of the history of Alexandria you included on your site.
Kevin Broussard
Alexandria, LA USA - Thursday, September 09, 2004 at 22:48:20 (GMT)
What a joyful journey! I lived in Alex from 1944 thru 1951 when I moved to North Carolina, and later to Richmond, VA., where I now live. Graduated from Bolton in 1944, and have fond memories of Alex. Thanks for a great ride through the past. It was very exciting!
Eddie Brown
Richmond, VA USA - Thursday, September 09, 2004 at 09:02:24 (GMT)
Ken - We all regret the demise of the Forum. It was a noble effort and will be sorely missed by those of us who looked forward to the comments posted there. Thanks for all of your efforts. Sam
Sam Damico
Houston, TX USA - Thursday, September 09, 2004 at 06:44:15 (GMT)
My parents and grandparents are from a small town called Colfax, Louisanna. My grandfather was a great man, he died over 20 yrs ago. I would like to find out some info about my grandfather. He worked in the fields and plantation for the owners of Gordon Randoff; he still has a grand daughter that lives on the plantation today, and her name is Judy Randoff. If you find any info, please contact ASAP.
Gayle Walters
Dallas, TX USA - Tuesday, September 07, 2004 at 21:12:08 (GMT)
I remember most of the buildings in your Web site. A few of them I do not remember. I grew up off Jackson Street Extension. My brother sent your Web site address, and it was interesting to view. Growing up with Dr. Hamilton, just reading his name brought back many memories.
Ann Walton
Baton Rouge, La USA - Monday, August 30, 2004 at 21:31:35 (GMT)
Enjoyed this site. I grew up on Marye Street, attended OLPS and Menard - graduated 1960. After college, I worked 38 years for Monsanto in Luling, LA. I have recently retired.
Earl Guillory
Luling, LA USA - Monday, August 30, 2004 at 16:04:14 (GMT)
I was born in Alexandria in1930, baptized at St. Francis Xavier, and spent summers during WWII with my grandmother Emma Agale Voorhies Dewailly; she ran a rooming house on 14th St. I have enjoyed your site. Maggie
MARGARET H. OWENS CRIST
USA - Thursday, August 26, 2004 at 20:32:01 (GMT)
I just happened to stumble onto your site. I still live here and so many times don't stop to notice my surroundings. Thank you for opening my eyes.
Misti
Alexandria, LA USA - Wednesday, August 18, 2004 at 20:20:18 (GMT)
I served with the US Air Force at England AFB from September 1971 to January 1974 and did spend much of my free time off base and in Alexandria. I remember the Knox Inn, the Mall, the numerous churches, MacArthur Drive, the Garden District, and the lighted watertower off MacArthur. What is interesting is that my dad was stationed at Esler Field during World War II and also has memories of Alexandria. I do hope to come down for a visit sometime in the future and see the changes in the last 30 years.
Bill Fornaro
Islip , NY USA - Wednesday, August 18, 2004 at 16:58:51 (GMT)
Brought back a lot of memories. I lived in Alex from 1937 to 1968. Most of the time I lived on Renesselaer St on the side of Bolton High.
Martin Dunn
Franklin, TN USA - Saturday, August 14, 2004 at 19:36:50 (GMT)
Hello - From a graduate of the 1966 class
Janet Debey-Wells
Roy, UT USA - Thursday, August 12, 2004 at 21:53:37 (GMT)
I really enjoyed looking at Alexandria retrospective. I was born and raised in Pineville and I work for Alexander & Bolton, Inc.
Carol Ann Thompson
Alexandria, LA USA - Thursday, August 12, 2004 at 19:25:37 (GMT)
Ken, I liked your work. I wasn't born in Alexandria but I grew up there in the 1960's and 70's. My Dad worked for Mid-State Oil distributors and Petrolane Gas Co. as a book-keeper and then Manager. I remember coming in to Alexandria on the train from West Texas as a young boy. We lived on Canella St. at first and moved to Acadian Village close to the Red River where I had a Tom Sawyer boyhood for the first three years of my school days at Acadian Elementry. We moved to Plantation Acres on McNutt and I spent the rest of my youth getting in to trouble watching drag races on Preston and roaming the local school grounds at night around Cherokee and S.M. Brame Jr. High.
It was a great time in my Life and I miss many of the friendships I had with the people I knew in Alexandria. It has changed and many of my favorite places are gone now but Alexandria will always be in my memories. Thank you for this preservation of History
Adrian Winham
Benton, LA USA - Thursday, August 12, 2004 at 05:05:06 (GMT)
During WW II my dad was stationed at Esler Field, where he met (and married) my mother, who was a Louisiana native and a civilian employee there. Last night he was regaling me with funny tales about the Hotel Bentley, so I started browsing around, and found both it and you. I spent many a summer and holiday visiting my grandparents in northeast Louisiana, but have never been to Alexandria. Now the stories I heard long ago from my parents and grandparents have a visual reference for me. Thank you!
Darlene
Baltimore, MD USA - Tuesday, August 10, 2004 at 23:31:04 (GMT)
Ken, Thanks so much for the great website!! I visited Alexandria for the first time in May because I wanted to see where my grand-parents lived for 30 years (early '30s to early -60s) and where my father and uncles all grew up. My grandfather had a little mom-and-pop grocery store on Monroe Ave, and I've always wondered if there were any pictures of it, inside or out. (Chapman's Grocery store) I just received one from a family member that I'll send, if you're interested. Thanks again!
Mike Chapman
Colorado Springs, CO USA - Sunday, August 08, 2004 at 04:46:41 (GMT)
Winpy Thiels is my grandfather
Christopher Lafargue
Alexandria, LA USA - Friday, August 06, 2004 at 16:34:25 (GMT)
Does anyone remember hanging out at SHONEY'S during 1961 and 1962? Anyone remember the Red Corvette or the big old gray Buick; both from New Jersey? We were stationed at Fort Polk, but spent a lot of time in Alexandria and Pineville. Would love to know what life dealt my old friends. If you're out there, please drop by via email and say hello.
Dick Marcine
Trenton, NJ USA - Thursday, August 05, 2004 at 14:28:02 (GMT)
Thank you so much for bringing back so many memories of my hometown. I was born in 1936 and moved to Louisville in 1955. I attened Rosenthal Elem. and Bolton Hi. Always look forward to going back to Alex to visit. Thanks again.
Gloria Barton Hall
Louisville , Ky USA - Tuesday, August 03, 2004 at 01:02:10 (GMT)
Have already posted to this site, but was reading the new posts, and wanted to tell Robert Riggs that the restaurant he is talking about is/was Herbie K's. It was right next door to my mother's motel, where I lived while in high school.......the Louise Motel (before she bought it, was the European Motel) or could have been called a Tourist Court waaaaay back then. Also, the potato chips that Jocelyn mentioned may have been Noah's Potato Chips on Lee Street???
Funny how Alexandria has such strong holds on so many people!
Marilyn Burnum Rico
Minden, LA USA - Monday, August 02, 2004 at 20:10:16 (GMT)