The Alexandria Louisiana Retrospective
Register Volume 21

Thank you for visiting the Alexandria Retrospective Web site. Shown below are the most recent entries made by visitors to the Retrospective.
You can also view more entries via the Register Index.

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Spent almost 4 years at England AFB in the late 70's. I very much want to return to see what's left of my old "stomping ground". Spent many an evening with my cohorts chasing skirts that would have nothing to do with a "flyboy" at places like the Satellite Club, Treasure Island, and even Boodie's Inferno!! Sorry to hear the base is gone.

Curt Crump
Petaluma, CA USA - Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 20:16:13 (GMT)


I lived in Alex-Pineville area during the late seventies into the eighties, and still have many life long friends there. I miss everyone and everything about it. I hope to return soon, if just for a visit. What a wonderful website this is. It brought back alot of memories for me. Thanks for the experience.

Sandy Hazzard Creechley
Salt Lake City, UT USA - Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 19:02:48 (GMT)


Having grown up in Alexandria and now residing just across the river, I found your jouney back in time most enjoyable. Have just begun to read the entries of other visitors and am anxious to continue. The future of Alexandria/Pineville is built on the strong foundation of the past and those who inherited it.

Nell Berthelot Johnson
Pineville, La USA - Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 16:23:49 (GMT)


Hi-I am a granddaughter of Dr. Field Gremillion and Alice Callaway Gremillion who were first shareholders of Rapides General Hospital. (Alexandria Sanatarium) We were born at St Francis Cabrini Hospital and grew up in Pineville, Louisiana. Enjoyed your retrospective of Alexandria. Thanks Pattie

Pattie Girard Duncan
Shreveport, La USA - Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 03:47:42 (GMT)


My family lived in Alexandria Louisia for ten years that being 1958 until 1977. I had fun going to all the football games over at Bolton Stadium on Friday Nights. If there are any of my class mates at Bolton that want to contact me they can, my address is John c Jones 2101 Fountainview 7g Houston Texas 77057. or if anyone that knew me or my family, feel free to contact me. John c Jones Houston Texas May 5th 2005.

JOHN C JONES
HOUSTON, TX USA - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 16:22:51 (GMT)


Very thought provoking!! Haven't gone through the whole site yet. Was just forwarded this today. I moved to Alex in 1955 from Kansas, so, a lot of this was very familiar. Was a friend and went to Bolton High School with Betty Faye Wellan, so seeing Wellan's dept store stirred me. Moved from Alexandria in 1988 and still come to visit often. Thanks for the memories...

Janice Cleveland Serio
Clinton, MS USA - Thursday, May 05, 2005 at 04:27:13 (GMT)


I have been thinking about "home" quite a lot lately. I remembered about this site and came back and was so surprised at all the new stuff. I was born in Pineville, LA at charity hospital. I grew up between Houston, where my mom was and Alexandria, where my grandma was. Moving back and forth was tough, but I always knew that coming back to Alexandria would be full of familiar faces. I left for the last time in 1994, and have now made Houston my home. Most of the family lives here, including mom and my brother and sister, while some haven't had the heart to leave Alexandria.

Thinking about the childhood I had there, I am grateful. I grew up in a gentler time when doors could be left unlocked and kids could roam the city without fear of harm. When I was younger, I couldn't wait to get out of that place and move away to the "big city", but having lived in one for the past 11 yrs, I am grateful not to have kids. The world is a much scarier place today, and I am grateful I have all the rich and wonderful memories of my childhood, in Alexandria. Much of the subject matter in your retrospective is so close to home for me because my family lived on the corner of Rapides Avenue and Louisiana Avenue.

I went to, at various times in my life, to Rosenthal, Huddle, Horseshoe, Lincoln Road Sixth Grade Center, Brame, AJH, Bolton, and finally graduating from Peabody in 1987. I went to NSU on the "base" and also to LSUA. I worked at nearly every fast food joint and even helped open a new business that later went bust. I learned so many life lessons there that I still carry with me today. Like how you can never get away with any mischief because someone who knew your family ALWAYS saw you and told your mom, but also would bend over backwards to help in times of need.

I also remember a real sense of community, where you did more than nod at your neighbors, where you built gates into the fences seperating your yards so your neighbor could come over without having to walk around the block. I remember how so many people, friends and strangers alike, came to help our family with anything we needed when fire destroyed our home and we had nothing but the clothes on our backs. I remember when my grandma died, driving to the cemetary and looking back and not being able to see the end of the line of cars, so many people loved her.

I think the world at large does not understand the south in general and maybe Louisiana, even less with its strange ways, what with parishes, not counties, and its Napoleanic laws. But I know what it means to come from that place, to feel it in your soul, a sense of belonging, knowing that no matter where you are, if you meet another from Louisiana, instantly you both feel a sense of familiarity, a sense of belonging, a sense of family.

Visiting the beautiful site you designed brought back a flood of memories that had been buried deep, forgotten, pushed aside. But I think that a trip will be planned soon. A trip back, back to the place of my birth, back to my home. Thank you so very much for reminding me what it is to be from Alexandria, LA, CENLA, the best little town in the world.

Kimberly Lynd, nee Lofton
Houston, TX USA - Wednesday, May 04, 2005 at 09:11:32 (GMT)


Thanks for the memories.

Patrick McCauley ptkmccauley @ aol.com
Huntsville, AL USA - Tuesday, May 03, 2005 at 01:37:24 (GMT)


I LIVED IN ALEXANDRIA LA FROM 1958 UNTIL 1977 SOME TEN YEARS. IT WAS OK BUT THERE WASN'T MUCH TO DO THERE ESPECIALLY ON THE WEEKENDS. MY FAMILY LIVED AT 2736 GEORGES LANE ALEXANDRIA LA IF ANY ONE KNOWS US, PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE OR YOU CAN WRITE AT JOHN C JONES 2101 FOUNTAINMVIEW 7G HOUSTON TEXAS 77507. I WANT TO HEAR FROM ANYONE THAT MIGHT HAVE KNOWN MY FAMILY AND ME. I ESPECIALLY WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM LOUISE HEATHERWICK, TISH BLAKE, JANE ANN JARRELL AND MANY MORE THAT WERE IN BOLTON WITH ME. LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING YOU ALL SOON. JOHN C JONES HOUSTON TEXAS 77057.

JOHN C JONES
HOUSTON, TX USA - Monday, May 02, 2005 at 19:16:04 (GMT)


A friend after reading one of my articles which involved a visit to the ruins of Hot Wells sent me your link. The old pictures/cards of the place were great to see. I had tried to find the place since my grandmother and aunt visited there. Then I saw your card from Willow Glen Courts. I have stayed there, it was in the 50's. I also did an article following US 71 and have a picture of the one "room" remaining of the place. Great site and I look forward to exploring it more. Also, I'm trying to find out anything about Zimmerman and the lumber mill that was there. Thanks, and, could I use a couple of the pictures giving you credit and a link to your site? Steve

Steve two_wheelin_louisiana @ msn.com
Parks, LA USA - Monday, May 02, 2005 at 16:06:45 (GMT)


I'M A GRADUATE OF BOLTON HIGH SCHOOL, THE CLASS OF 1969. I WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT ANY OF MY FORMER CLASS-MATES IF THEY CAN BE REAACHED. BOLTON IS A GREAT SCHOOL AND I ENJOYED THE TIME THAT I WAS THERE. I CAN BE REACHED AT JOHN C JONES 2101 FOUNTAINVIEW 7G HOUSTON TEXAS 77057. I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM LOUISE HEATHERWICK OR JANIE STUCKY, THEY WERE IN THE SENIOR CLASS AHEAD OF ME. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM BOTH OF THEM THANKS AND A KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

JOHN C JONES
HOUSTON, TX USA - Monday, May 02, 2005 at 14:47:33 (GMT)


I'm a descendent of Pierre Baillio, the original owner of the Kent Plantation House. My mother was born in Alexandria. I'm interested in making contact with other Baillio family members or anyone familiar with the Baillio family history.

Gary Sullivan sullivandallas@aol.com
Plano, TX USA - Saturday, April 30, 2005 at 18:56:26 (GMT)


All my high school years were spent in Alexandria, at Bolton High School--8th grade through 12--from 1945 to graduation in 1950. We lived about 4 blocks from Bolton High. This retrospective of yours was a joy of remembrance. Thank you. When I drive down Jackson Street Extension today, I cannot help but remember that it was just a one lane road WAY out of town back then. I learned to drive on MacArthur Drive because there wasn't much traffic, and it was such a brand new part of town. Again, thanks for the wonderful pictures and thoughts.

Archie (Pullen) Poole
Forest Hill, La USA - Saturday, April 30, 2005 at 15:01:54 (GMT)


Happened upon your poignant site in my genealogical search of great grandfather, Sam Glorioso. This is a fine example of "friendlier" and more wholesome communities mostly reserved in memory now. Thanks for a day brightener!

Vencene Glorioso Reed
Texarkana, Texas USA - Saturday, April 30, 2005 at 13:39:35 (GMT)


My first assignment was EAFB 73-76. I had forgotten about the old downtown area. Thanks for the tour of your "Hometown". Sandy

Carlton "Sandy" Sanders
Anchorage, AK USA - Friday, April 29, 2005 at 20:54:25 (GMT)


I WAS IN THE GRADUATION CLASS OF 1969 WHICH NUMBERED AROUND SOME 619 OR MORE. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANY ONE THAT WAS IN THAT CLASS AS I WAS. I KNOW THAT IT WAS A LONG TIME AGO BUT I STILL WANT TO HEAR FROM THEM. ESPECIALLY I WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT HAS HAPPEN TO THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE, LOUISE HEATHERWICK, AND JANIE STUCKY, THEY WERE IN THE GRADUATING CLASS AHEAD OF ME. IF THEY ARE AROUND I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THEM OR ANYONE. MY ADDRESS IS IN ONE OF THE LISTINGS. THANKS A LOT AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK JOHN C JONES CLASS OF 1969.APRIL 28,2005

JOHN C JONES CJONESJOHN@WORLDNET.COM
HOUSTON, TX USA - Thursday, April 28, 2005 at 16:12:20 (GMT)


I stumbled upon this site by accident and was immediately taken back to a simpler place in time and living! I was born and reared in Alexandria and remember most of the sites listed in the retrospective. My family migrated from Moreauville in the early 1900s and lived in the Rock Island Quarters for nearly 100 years. The "Quarters" was a close-knit community surrounded by the cotton compress, the Kansas City Southern train station, Tee Cataldie's grocery store, Winnfield and Progressive Funeral Homes, F&F and The Food Mart Grocery Stores, True Vine Baptist Church, Iles Cool Spot, Clifton Snowden's Barber Shop and the first Peabody School. Everybody knew and cared for everybody! I will be traveling to Alexandria this summer for my 30th high school reunion and will take photos of sites that are dear to me. Thanks for the memories!

Debra Bronston
Kansas City, MO USA - Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at 15:10:35 (GMT)


MY FATHER S. JOSEPH BERGER GRADAUTED FROM BOLTON HIGH IN EARY PART OF 1900'S AND WORKED FOR POSTAL DEPT. HE ADN HIS FAMILY LIVED ON FISK ST. NEAR DOWNTOWN ALEXANDRIA....MOTHER WAS A VERY PRETTY SOCIALITE WITH 2 SISTERS AND HER NAME WAS LUCILLE DYSON BERGER....MARRIED TO ISADORE BERGER. I AM ALMOST CERTAIN MY GREAT GRANDFATHER WAS CHARLES DYSON. MY DAD'S SISTER WAS INEZ BERGER. WE VISITED THERE ABOTU 10 YRS AGO AND GOT A COPY OF DEED TO HOME...SOLD FOR 3,000 IN EALRY 1900'S. LUCILLE(GRANDMA) HAD QUIT A GARDEN SURROUNDED HOME OF MANY FLOWERS.....AND DIED THE YR I WAS BORN 1939. BOTH GRANDPARENTS WERE BURIED IN PINEVILLE.,LA AND WE WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE GRAVES IN CEMETARIES WHEN THERE. I HAVE LONG LOST COUSINS....WOULD LOVE TO CONTACT. ONE WAS MARY LOUISE BAER...... ONE AUNT LEONA MARRIED CLYDE MEGGISON...THEN MOVED TO SHREVEPORT, LA. THERE WERE OTHER COUSINS WHO I VISTED AS A CHILD AND IT IS HARD TO REMEMBER NAMES. AGNES WAS A VERY PRETTY GIRL IN FAMILY. GRANDFATHER WAS IN LUMBER BUSINESS OR CARPENTRY. IF ANONE RECOGNIZES ANY NAMES....PLEASE DO EMAIL ME

MELBA BERGER WILLIAMS Whudmel@aol.com
CLINTON, MS USA - Tuesday, April 26, 2005 at 10:46:51 (GMT)


I especially enjoyed reading Dan Lemoine's reminiscences. Fascinating reading!

Barbara Bagley Bryan
Wetumpka, AL USA - Tuesday, April 26, 2005 at 01:14:45 (GMT)


I LIVED IN ALEXANDRIA FROM 1958 UNTIL 1977 WHEN I MOVED BACK TO HOUSTON TEXAS WHICH IS MY HOMETOWN. I HAVE TO SAY THAT THE YEARS THAT MY FAMILY AND I LIVED IN ALEXANDRIA LA, A FAVORITE WAS GOING TO THE FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAMES AT BOLTON STADIUM. IF ANY OF MY FORMER CLASSMATES WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT ME JUST FOR OLDTIME SAKE THEY CAN. MY ADDRESS IS 2101 FOUNTAINVIEW 7G HOUSTON TEXAS 77057.

JOHN C.JONES      CJONESJOHN @ WORLDNET . COM
HOUSTON, TX USA - Monday, April 25, 2005 at 16:45:58 (GMT)


I have enjoyed the memories. Plan to return again.

Phyllis Fair-Byrd
Galveston, TX USA - Sunday, April 24, 2005 at 16:26:13 (GMT)


Graduated Bolton 1963. Lived in Florida most of the rest of the time and escaped to the mountains of California, 1/2 mile below the ski lifts in the Angeles National Forest at Snowcrest Lodge, after retiring as Chief Operating Officer at University of Southern California, Doheney Medical Laser Center. Some incredible teachers at Bolton had a lasting impact on my life. Inez Parker, Joe Middleton (science), Al Evan's mother in civics, and several others.

Tom Dillin
Mt Baldy, CA USA - Friday, April 22, 2005 at 00:39:17 (GMT)


I LIVED IN ALEXANDRIA FROM 1958 UNTIL 1977, WHEN I FINISHED COLLEGE AT LSU AND THEN MOVED BACK TO HOUSTON TEXAS MY HOMETOWN. I HAVE TO SAY THAT ALEXANDRIA WAS OK BUT THERE WAS NOT MUCH TO DO. BUT STILL IT WAS A PRETTY TOWN TO LIVE IN ALTHOUGH I WASN'T BORN THERE. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

JOHN C JONES
HOUSTON, TX USA - Thursday, April 21, 2005 at 17:26:57 (GMT)


Does anybody know how to reach Dinna Laborde (Brister)? She left Bolton in 1966, her Jr. year.

Mark G.
mpgamby @ aol . com
Boyce, La USA - Thursday, April 21, 2005 at 15:26:28 (GMT)


What a great site! My father was a doctor in Pineville for many years, graduated LC, and his father was a local preacher here pre-depression. Great memories!

Brooks Harris
Alexandria, LA USA - Monday, April 18, 2005 at 18:12:07 (GMT)


I grew up in Alexandria, LA with many wonderful school, church and community memories. Living at 2631 Overton St. in Alexandria, LA for the most of my 54 years with a christian mother, family and friends. I am where I am today because of the sacrifices so many gave in this cental Louisiana town. I thank God for past teachers, who pushed me to be all that I could be and to become a productive citizen of this United States of America.

Janis L. Hargrove
Nacogdoches, TX USA - Monday, April 18, 2005 at 13:02:02 (GMT)


Came back to visit again! I love this site and the memories. How about adding a section where one could make a note "searching for old friends, etc". I would love to try to find people I knew back in the 70's and 80's. Thank you for memories!!!

Debra Matthies - Sussman
West Bend, Wi USA - Saturday, April 09, 2005 at 12:37:59 (GMT)


I've toured the Retrospective and enjoyed it very much. It was very intresting. Thanks to whom it may concern. F. Williams

Flamingo Williams
Baton Rouge, La USA - Friday, April 08, 2005 at 14:05:36 (GMT)


My father owned La. Neon Sign Company and later or earlier (?) Craig Sign Service. He designed and built the Hocus Pocus Liquor sign. It was a favorite of mine growing up in the fifties. A little scary, but not real scary because my father made it! It was like a strange family member!

I have a nice black and white photo made by Tommy Kohara, a well known photographer in Alexandria. He also took photographs of the Bentley, Joy (old bikes with fenders parked in front) and Don ( Little Women with June Allison and Elizabeth Taylor) theatres. I have often wondered who the ticket takers were because one is very easy to see.

Sheron Craig Womack
Peachtree City , GA USA - Monday, April 04, 2005 at 18:56:01 (GMT)