Alexandria, Louisiana Retrospective

Comments: I was stationed at EAFB from 1988 to 1991. I thoroughly enjoyed the base and the city of Alexandria.

Mary Jane "Cockerham" Waxley
Mwaxley@cox.net
Saturday, December 30, 2006
City: Lafayette
State: Louisiana

Comments: I was transfered to the Baptist hospital on May 18, 1963 from a Jena hospital. I was born 3 months premature. There was an article written about me being the smallest baby to ever survive at that time. I would like to find a copy of that article. I am 43 years old now and I have 4 children of my own. Please help me with my search.

l arthur
larthur1@cox.net
Saturday, December 30, 2006
City: Moreno Valley
State: California

Comments: Today, (12/30/06) I was searching sites to find out the year it snowed in Alex-P'Ville area when I was b/w the ages of (10-16)(1963-69). I ran upon this site and truly a "memory lane moment". I read every register to see if I knew anyone, but, I did remember the artifacts. Thanks for the memories! Forgot (smile), what the original mission was all about, it was a Christmas day, that I seem to remember it snowed in Alex-P'ville. can anyone help me?

Name: Karla Evans
maggiemookow@yahoo.com
City: Alexandria
State: LA
Date: December, 2006

Comments: Hi, I was born in Alexandria, and lived there until I was about 10. I'm trying to find out more family history. My great-grandparents are deceased, but they were Lena Morris and William Morris and lived on Bush Ave. My mom, Julie Morris, went to Bolton. Mother graduated from Bolton probably around 1960. My grandmother, Annalee, spent many years there. If you know any of them, let me know. I went to St. Frances Cabrini from about 1975 to 1985. Karla

My family moved to Alex. when I was 5 yrs. old & I grew up there, graduating from Bolton in 1959. I went to Northwestern in Natchitoches, & returned home only a few times. Haven't been back since 1990, but hope to visit in 2007. So many sites of old familiar places....I really loved seeing shots of downtown, West End, Rosenthal & Bolton schools; the old MP depot (so sorry to hear it is no longer there; my dad was a MP engineer for over 30 yrs.); the old homes, etc, etc.

I wish there had been a photo of our favorite dating eateries, the Hobo Drive-In & Lazorone's. You can't find those great po-boys here in Texas!! Thanks for the effort you put into this timeless collection!

Comments: I graduated from Bolton in '56 and then joined the Air Force prior to attending La. Tech and LSU. In '60 I married Eliska Weber, a graduate of Northwestern. I was raised on Hyman Lane and lived on Chaptico Dairy Property.

Some of my best buddies in high school were: Glenn Scarbrough, Gilbert Peterman, Stafford Shelton, Goo Sanson, Bobby Grey, James Beoubeff. We have lived in CA since '68 and will probably die here. I have some very fond memories of growing up in Alexandria with my older brother, Wimpy Thiels, who died in '97.

We raised a lot of hell, hunted a lot, rode horses and always were getting into a little trouble. My first cousin was Regina Dewitt. My youngest brother, Oscar, still lives out at Valentine Lake

Comments: I enjoyed the many comments of the people who made this city their home. Out of curiosity, was the Wellans Department Store owned and operated by the Joe Lipsey Family?

Comments: AUGUST 1963 ASSIGNED 1908TH COMMUNICATIONS SQUADRON FROM JAPAN 6988TH RSM DET 1 SECURITY SERVICE.THE 1908TH HAD CONTROL TOWER, RADAR, AND COMM CENTER. I WAS TRICK CHIEF OF CHARLIE SHIFT TELETYPE AND TELEPHONE CENTER AS WELL AS TWX AND WESTERN UNION AND TAC SECURED TELEPHONE FOR 401ST AND 8TH TFW.

BASE WAS GOOD DUTY AND OUR SQ PLAYED A LOT OF ROUGH BASKETBALL WITH OTHER UNITS. ILEFT ENGLAND FEB 1965. THE BEACH BROTHERS, JESSE AND JOHN WERE FROM WISNER, LA, ROOMMATE ROD RYAN WAS FROM BATON ROUGE, RICHARD SUTTON WAS FROM INDIANA. D SHIFT BOSS WAS ARTHUR BRENNAN FROM PITTSBURGH, PA. .NOT BAD DUTY BUT JUST STATESIDE.

Comments: I lived in Alexandria from birth ('62) to 1985 (with the last five years back and forth to La. Tech).

Reading the comments in this Register, it's funny how much comes flooding back about those years. My grandparents lived on Elliot just south of Bolton, which was convenient to where my grandfather, Lester Stewart, worked at the Continental Trailways bus station. Immediately at the corner was the barbershop that every male member of my family had the pleasure of visiting, whether we liked crewcuts or not. (But the gentlemen who ran the place were great.) Later, there was the library across the street from the grocery, but before then there was the wonderful Don Theater. (.50 for a movie? You might could get an individual piece of popcorn for that price today....)

My younger brother Don and I (before Steve was born) grew up in a big house on Jackson Street just past the little offices east of Suburban Gardens. From there we could walk to D.F Huddle Elementary, where Mom was a teacher's aide. Her being part of the Establishment meant that I probably spent too much time pestering Mr. Bordelon, the principal, but he always had time to talk with me. It's possible that I've never met a better man. Other random recollections:

* annoying the gorilla at the zoo... until he spit water all over me (a lesson I never forgot)
* many weekends trying to break 200 at Bowlero
* the curly-Qs at Fuzzy's
* being interviewed by the Town Talk for seeing "Star Wars" seven times
* buying turtle necks to tie on to crawfish nets, then catching enough crawfish for etoufee
* the sheer terror of a driver's test that involved crossing the bridge to Pineville (the really NARROW one)
* Polycarp and His Pals, and Buckskin Bill (I actually got on his show once, which was a Very Cool Day)
* my voice isn't what it once was, but my wife loves it when I sing... and Emma Rae O'Neal
of Menard H.S. made that possible
* driving to Lea's for the pecan pie
* Alexandria Aces minor league baseball games
* pizza at Godfather's, followed by adult beverages at the Bayview Yacht Club
* helping survey I-49 (I don't complain about my desk job when I remember what it was like to wade through the tepid swamps near Natchitoches, hoping Mr. Water Moccasin would ignore me).

Comments: I remember well the red brick streets, my grandma's house at 1605 monroe st. and our big 2 bedroom 1 bath house on randsbottom drive. I was born in the Baptist hospital on 9 june, 1947 in "Alec " as my Yankee dad called Alexandria. We lived there until we went west in 1955. I've visited there often as I still have family and friends there. My parents eventually moved back and built a house on Cotile Lake in Boyce,La.

Comments: I grew up in the neighborhood off broadway, between Jones street and Lee street extension. I usually go home every two years, each time I go all I see is destruction of the old black neighborhoods, I don't see alexandria doing much in progress. Drugs are infesting these same neighborhoods. WE HAVE ONE OF THE BEST HIGH SCHOOLs IN ALEX.-- PEABODY, were I attended, that's the only improvement I can see that made an impact on the black neighborhood. I still love my hometown, I am thinking about retiring near there just so I can come more often and maybe help in making a change in Alex.

Comments: I was born and lived the first 33 years my life in Alexandria. Some of my family still live in the nearby Alexandria area. My father is buried in the Pineville National Cemetary and unfortunately, relatives are now populating the area graveyards.

My fondest childhood memories are my cousin, Sandra Briggs, and I walking from her home on Fulton Street to the Paramount Theatre and getting in for a RC cola top and .25 cents!! Is it still there?

I graduated from Providence Academy in 1966 and that landmark disappeared even before I moved to Texas in 1981 for a better paying job. I now work for Humana Inc in Louisville, Kentucky and we have an office in Alelxandria that services our Tricare, Humana Military insureds.

So much has changed, and should have. Some things, though, should still be there even if only to take my adult kids to see Rapdies Hospital where they were born; and my grandchilren to see the Red River (don't have that up here - the Ohio is wide and swift - but Red??!)

They need to see where Whirl-A-Whip, Lazarone's, and the Borden's ice cream parlor were, where you could sit on a stool and someone wearing a white hat took your order; the merry go round at city park, in particular, one black beauty that was my personal favorite.

I do miss Alexandria, I didn't realize how much. Perhaps a long drive to see Mama in Goldonna, Vicki in Winnfield, Betty in Woodworth, and to Alexandira where my longest childhood friend Cheryl has returned to live, is waiting to be scheduled.

I love this site, and it is the first time I have seen it. I will be a frequent visitor and hope to continue to see updates.

Comments: I LIKE TO SURF THE NET AND READ ABOUT LOUISIANA. I LOVE VISITING THE LARGE AND SMALL TOWNS OF LOUISIANA.

Comments: I was born in Alexandria in 1961 and stayed until I married in 1981. After living in Houston for 9 years, I couldn't stand it any longer and had to move back. I wanted my children to be part of this town.

When I was in high school, I can remember going to McDonalds with the big yellow arches in the front...before there was a drive thru. You couldn't even eat inside. Going to Show Town Drive-in where you could choose between 2 screens and watch the movie outside.

The Wallace family grew up in Airview Terrace and Halloween's there were awesome. Hundreds of kids filled the streets to trick or treat. We never locked our doors at night. We'd sleep with the windows open and I remember smelling the mimosa blooms in the night.

My grandfather, Jimmy Normand, cooked bar b que his entire life in this area, and had 5 or 6 different locations, i.e. Lee Street, Jackson Street, MacArthur Drive. He loved this town and would tell us stories about the people he grew up with. When he was a boy, Horseshoe Drive was a dirt road and boats used to travel on Bayou Roberts. I now live 2 houses down from my Grandmother and one of my sisters lives between us. It's a great feeling to know our children are growing up in the same yards as my mother did.

This is such a wonderful place to raise children. We've been back for 16 years and will never move again.

Thank you for all the memories, and making me even more sure about the decision to come back!

Living in Birmingham, practiced law there, now retired & travelling wherever I want to go.

Comments: MY NAME IS ANNIE LEE HOLLOWAY HOLLOWAY IS MY MAIDEN NAME CALDWELL IS MY MARRY NAME.

I LIVE IN HOUSTON TEXAS I LOVE MY HOME CITY AND STATE I WERE RAISED UP IN ALEXANDRIA MY MOTHER BANK AT RAPIDES BANK AND TRUST CO.MY MOTHER PASSED AWAY ON THE 31 OF JANUARY IN THE 1996 MY MOTHER NAME IS GUSSIE LEE HOLLOWAY.

AS I WERE SEARCHING THE WEB-SITE TRYING TO FIND THE BANK THAT SHE USED TO BANK AT. I RAN ACROSS THIS WEB SITE AS I BEGUN TO LOOK AT THE PHOTO OF THE BANK IT'S BROUGHT BACK A SENSE OF LOVE AND PEACE THE FEELING I USED TO FEEL WHEN I WERE A CHILD AS I WALK DOWN THE STREET THAT THE BANK WERE LOCATE ON.

SO MANY GOOD MEMORIES RUN THROUGH MY MIND I MISSED THAT PEACE AND LOOKING AT THE RETROSPECTIVE WEB SITE WERE THE HI-LIGHT OF MY NIGHT

Name: J.D. Vercher
Address: 1217 N. Conrad Avenue
City: Sarasota
State: FL
Date: November, 2006

Comments or questions: I grew up in Alec....and I know all these places...and many more. I went to and graduated from Menard High, and my sisters went to Providence...great pictures...thanks for the memories.....JDV

Comments: I was born in the Baptist Hospital downtown in 1958. Attended Cherokee Elementary School, Brame Junior High, and one and a half years at ASH before my father was transferred to Atlanta, GA. I've marched in the Christmas parade with the Brame Band. My family attended Parkview Baptist Church.

Comments: Great presentation! All those Photos bring back memories frandm my childhood.

I grew up on a cotton farm five miles west of England Air Force Base on Bayou Rapides and all of thse great Alexandria great people live in my heart and mind. I love to see all the old buildings and remember Fuzzy 's Drive in on Bolton AVE. and the midget that hopped the cars when i was a little girl.

I loved public schools and believe to this day that some of the best teachers were in Rapides Parish. England Air force Base was such a great presence in the 60's and the 70's and brought new cultural/ ethnic exposure and diversity to pur town.

I visit twice a year but that enough . I hope to retire someday back to my southern home and roots.

GROWING UP IN THE 50'S AND 60'S I VISITED MOST OR MANY , OR PASSED FREQUENTLY, THE PLACES PICTURED AND SOME I HAD FORGOTTEN. MY FAVORITE PLACE WAS FUZZY'S DRIVE IN,WHO HAD THE BEST HAMBURGERS AND CURLEY Q'S IN TOWN.IT WAS SUCH A GREAT TREAT TO GO. ALSO THE BOLTON AVENUE COMMUNITY CENTER WHERE I TOOK DANCE LESSON'S FROM GRACIE DELANEY. I STOOD OUTSIDE UNDER THOSE BEAUTIFUL TREES AND WAITED FOR MY MOTHER TO PICK ME UP.

Comments: My grandparents lived in nearby Lecompte and I spent a few days with them every summer. One day during each of my visits we'd make a trip to Alex. to eat at Walgreens and for my benefit, shop at Kress. My dream now is for someone to post a picture of the inside of Kress in the 40's or early 50's, open for business. There was/is no store like it. The sounds, the aroma of popcorn and all of the merchandise...There's no equal today. I loved that store.

On the first page of the website, a picture of an old thermometer from my uncle's store and also a picture of my late cousin sitting on my uncle's car. I remenber Halloween on Main street in Pineville, the local stores having trick or treat with bobbing for apples when I was a little girl. I learned to drive in Fishville,La where the YaYa Sisterhood Books was set, It seems like they were written about my childhood.

I went to Pineville High School and graduated in 1971. The boy/girl flag football my Jr year was a great memory. Also hanging out on Suset drive, with my friends Mary Wells, Debbie Boyce and Georgie Moreau. Jr's , Marcie's Fiesta Club,the Lighhouse, the Cotton Club were all great places to hang out in the 70's and 80's.

I would like to find an old friend that didn't graduate with us but went to Jr high and high school with us Don Duke is his name if anyone knows where he is please contact me or just about anyone from Pineville High 1971 class.

Name: pat stellly
Address: 218 lost lake drive
City: baytown
State: tx
Date: October, 2006

Comments or questions: my grandfather and father was born in Alexandria. my father gave to me years ago 6 brass antique car banks from Rapides Bank. These banks are still in excellent condition. do you know of anyone who would be interested in these banks, since Rapides Bank has changed names. please contact me and let me know.

Comments: I am only 42 years of age, but have lived in the Alexandria area all my life.

I learned much about old alexandria from my grandfather (Frank "Kenny" Colbert) who worked as a plumbing estimator and inspector most of his life. He was born in 1919 and spent all his life in Alexandria. There have been many changes over my 42 years, but one can still see remnants of years past. I remember the Don theater and Showtown Drivein very well, as well as Lazarones and Fuzzys drive in's. As young kids we would frequent Reed and Bell Drive inn on weekends for a burger and root beer in a frosty mug. I remember the Mall being built in 1973 and seeing Star Wars at the mall cinema which used to be next to JC Penney.

My parents frequented a theater called the Paramount somewhere downtown. Sutherlands was once a K Mart and grocery store. Big Lots was A& P Grocery. Bolton Avenue was the main drag long ago. The Walker Farm dairy where my other grandfather worked is now where Outback and Johnny Carinos restaurants are located. I remember the Toyota dealership being downtown close to the school board office.

Baptist Hospital is now Rapides Regional Medical Center. I was born at Cabrini Hospital which is now Christus St Frances Cabrini. Salleys food stores have been gone for a while. I remember going with my mom and redeeming S & H Green Stamps for household items next to Salleys food Store on Masonic Drive.

Name: Allie Jackson
Address: 12539 south Emerald ave
City: Chicago
State: IL
Date: October, 2006

Comments or questions: I had to get up and look at my mom's Certificate of membership. It is from The Methodist Church and signed in January of 1955 by W.T. Handy Jr. What do you have on cemeteries?v

Comments: I found your site while looking for the history of the school my mother attened in 1953.

I have always wanted to go to Alexandria. It is where my mom was born and raised in the 1940's though 1950's. I just sat back and enjoyed my journey though you views and photos. I am from the Lockwood/ Delarue family of Overton Street. To this day I am still trying to locate relatives.

I still plan on going one day to walk the streets my mom did. To visit Garden of Memory where my family is buried. Plus the National Cemetery where my Grandfather is buried.

So once again thank you. And if you remember or find someone who went to South Alexandria School in the early 50's let me know.

Comments: I grew in Alexandria and graduated from Bolton High School in 1958, went off to La. Tech in Ruston and only returned to visit my parents.

Thinking about Alexandria brings many fond memories of good friends and all the things we did there in grammar and high school. I remember going to the dances at the CYO, Castor Plunge, Valentime Lake, Magnolia Park with a skating rink close by( I believe),and the bar pits we used to swim in near Forest Hill. I was hoping to see a photo of Lazarone Drive Inn, a popular spot at the time.

You have done an excellent job with this Web site. I accidently found it looking for information on Castor Plunge.

Comments: It is nice to see these memories. It makes me sad to think that I will be leaving in 2010 to go to Lafayette. I hope nothing changes!!

Comments: Thanks so much for this website! I have sent the URL to friends, to share with them some of the memories of my wonderful hometown.

Comments: Attended LC in the early 70's. Father in law had once been coach at Bolton, his name Hans Leis. Many memories for me too, worked at Hixon Bros. while in college

Comments: This is in response to Michele Goddard's request if anyone had any fond memories of Channel 5-KALB TV. My sister and I were on the Laverne Perry Show a few times...once with our Brownie Scout troop and a couple of times with Gracie's Majorettes.

When I was in junior high, a local band-I believe they were called the Jagged Edges--played on Mr. Perry's show and I would never miss that as I went to school with the boys in the band. Also, I remember the Santa who would look through his telescope and I just hoped he would call out my name!

My grandmother never missed Ethma Odom's show and even went to the same hairdresser as she so she could have a hairdo like Ethma's

Comments: I was looking at visiting the city of Shreveport this coming November and i came upon the website about retrospective and i'm glad i did. I grew up in Alexandria off of Broadway Avenue and i went to Bolton High (1974 graduate). I left in 1974 to go to the then-USL in lafayette and i haven't been back but a few times since. But i remember a lot of the places because i have been to a lot of them growing up. So these pictures brought back a lot of memories about my past. Thanks

Comments: I think it would be great to find out if anyone has any special memories or pictures of our station through the years.

Name: Carroll Smith Clarke (cagey -nickname)
City: Columbia
State: sc
Date: September 23, 2006

Comments: I was born in Alexandria in 1955. My dad was stationed at England AFB and they rented a tiny garage apartment at 1415 Hickory St. I was born at St. Francis Cabrini Hospital. We left when I was around 8 months old and returned when I was in 5th grade. I met some of the dearest lifetime friends there. Only rememeber one last name: Janet Pacschieder (?) and Carol. I remember going to a large carnival in the area and daddy and momma taking us to the drive-in movies somewhere close by. We got our first puppy there.

Comments: My parents retired from England AFB after a 30 military career. We lived in Pineville on Donahue Ferry Rd.

Mom & Dad are gone now as is my little brother and his son all buried at Forest Lawn. My sister still lives in Pineville and I do miss the trees, rain and fish'in in my brothers favorite fishing hole.

Gone is the Root Beer stand on MacArther Drive... Gone is my dad's cussin about the circle that would meet you after the Arrow Ford car dealership and the bridge over the old train turn around station.

I truely miss those midnight coon hunts listening the stories of our generous neighbors.

There is no opening day of deer season like those of centeral Louisiana when all you had to do was ask a man if he mined if you could hunt his land and the look of gratitude when you left a hind quarter behind to show your thanks.

I live in Texas but I learned my manners and appreciation for gifts from people I'll never know.... the families & people of Rapides Parish.

We have a saying in Texas that I will take liberty with. "I wasn't born in Louisiana I just got there just a fast as I could".

Comments: Thanks so much for both retrospectives! I grew up in Mamou,Louisiana. Alexandria has always been an extra special place for me, because that is where we shopped when we wanted something extra special, especially for the Hlidays. When I was growing up and watching TV shows like "Leave it to Beaver" or "Hazel", Alexandria was always where I pictured them being set, no matter the name of the city.

Do you have any pictures of the Christmas decorations that were set up on the green right downtown? It seems to me that, in the 50's anyway, there was always a small church that you could peek inside to see toy people in the servics. Magical!! I also remember buying Red Goose shoes from Laverne Perry, the Saturday morning TV cowboy. Now that was big time in Mamou!!

Name: Cherye Oliphant McGowen
City: Alexandria
State: La
Date: September 10, 2006

Comments: I thought this was a relly neat Web site. I had forgotten about so many different stores and places in Alexandria in the 1970's. I graduated from Tioga High School and all the students would come to Alexandria for things to do. I can't help to often wonder what happend to all of my class mates in the class of 1979 at Tioga.

Comments: loved looking at your images of alexandria. i have many memories of walking from my grandparents home on st. anne st. to downtown to shop. too much has changed today!

Comments: I GREW UP IN PINEVILLE BUT WENT TO SCHOOL AT BOLTON FOR THREE YEARS BEFORE PHS WAS BUILT. MY DAD WAS A CONTRACTOR IN ALEX, AND PINEVILLE AND BUILT THE ORIGINAL BRINGHURST FIELD. MOVED AWAY FROM THERE IN 1953 BUT STILL MISS IT.

Comments: Does anyone remember "Platter, Chatter, and Kids"?????? Little radio show from upstairs studio on Bolton down from Don Theater. After we sang, were given coupons for sodas and funny books at corner drugstore. Was in third grade at West End Grammar School when Squirt soda came out and a truck parked in front and gave away free soda as we came out of school one day.

Visited the old Holsum Bakery with Brownie Scouts, walked to Dr. Nut factory, and then on to town to look at doll clothes at Kress. What a different world that a third grade girl could do all these by herself. Afterward, would catch the Willow Glen bus with Mr. Kato and go to Gramma Brister's house.

Comments: my wife and I moved to Alex soon after we were married in 1978. Our daughter was born there in 1981. We treasure the times spent in Alex and Pineville. I was craving a dish called Almond Duck that we used to buy at Effies resturant. I guess it is gone now, but if anybody should have that or a similar recipe, I'd like to have it. We remember walks to the zoo, we lived on Renselar street, right by Bolton High school and enjoyed the band practicing in the fall for the football games. We loved going to get Broasted chicken from a place called Lou's and Laura's. We still like to make Natchitoches Meat Pies...I know I mispelled that but they taste good.

Lyn worked for the Rapides Police jury for a lady named Wanda Burns. Hi Wanda if you read this, how's Joy? I worked for John Rodth Builders right after he started his buisness.

Comments: Started second grade at Pineville Grammar (which later burned), and finished Bolton, which is a magnificent building, in 1966.

Recently heard that Generals Patton and Bradley used the basement of Bolton High School to plan the ground war in Europe after D-Day. Can't remember ever hearing this while I was attending BHS. Does anybody have any documentation of this? email me

Comments: My childhood in Alexandria has been kept alive by vivid memories of people and places, some of which you pictured on you site. I've flagged your site as a "favorite" and will revisit many times I'm sure as I labor to capture some of Alexandria's past greatness in my own retrospective.

I remember the movie theater in the mall and the wishing fountain outside of what is now Sam Goody.

I remember my dad taking me to Lou and Laura's when I was a kid. I used to call their curly fries "curly hair fries".

I remember the first time I ever drove over the O.K. Allen Bridge. I was SO scared!

Memories are so unique to everyone. Keep yours close to your heart and you will never be lonely.

Comments: The visit down memory lane was exciting and heartbreaking at the same time.

Comments: I graduated from Bolton in 1969. I also attended Cabrini Catholic, AJH and Brame. I lived in Alex/Pineville until 1983 when I moved to Shreveport until 1988 when I moved to NJ. While it is thrilling to live right across the river from Manhattan, my heart will always be in Alexandria and I will ALWAYS be a southern belle.

My memories of Alexandria are too lengthy for this posting. I could write a book about them. I hope that one day my husband and I will have the pleasure of retiring back to Alexandria, my home town.

Comments: I lived my first 18 years at 2302 Alma St. I graduated from Bolton High School in 1972. I've lived in CA for the remaining 33 years. My sister, Jane, lives in the house we grew up in on Alma Street..

Name: Wilbur (Will) Simon
City: Rancho Palos Verdes
State: CA
Date: August 11, 2006

Comments: I moved to Alex. in 1936. Our home was an apartment at 706 Beauregard. Right on the corner of Foisy and Beauregard. I started Central Grammar in 1940. Seven years there and then on to Bolton. It was a wonderful neighborhood to grow up in.

We lived just a block from Central Grammar and my mom was friends with some of the teachers. Often at lunch there would be two or three teachers having coffee with my Mom. So even at home I couldn't escape.

I made some lifelong friends at Central. Just a few; Freddie and Frank Keegan (the twins), Ted Penny, Dan McGrew and some others no longer with us. I remember my first grade teacher, Mrs Laborde.

One fond memory is going to Wolfs grocery on Jackson and 6th. No one has mentioned that Wolfs was also a restaurant. If I was lucky, my Mom would buy me a fountain coke and if she had an extra dime I could pick out a comic book.

I can't forget the Norman brother, Buzzy and Buddy. They lived in the same block and there was always a football game going on.

Comments: I just stumbled across "Alexandria Retrospective" this morning. My brother, Will, and I have been doing a lot of reminiscing, lately, of our childhood in Alexandria.

We moved to Alexandria from St. Louis. I attended Central Grammar School starting in 1936. We lived just a couple of blocks away in an apartment at 704 Beauregard St. Oddly enough I still remember some of my teachers. There was Mrs. LaBorde my first grade teacher and Mrs. Ceiling, Mr. McGrew and Mr. Richardson the Principal. Mr. Richardson had a daughter whose name was Nell. Nell attended Central the same time that I did. I was in love with her but she never new it. I found out much latter that every boy in the school was infatuated with her.

At the time, there were only three theaters in town, the Saenger, the Paramount and the Rex. All located on 3rd st. The Saenger showed Westerns and every Saturday, for a two dimes and a nickel, you could sit in the theater all day and cheer the heroes and jeer the villains. The Don and the Joy theaters came later. The Paramount had an Orchestra pit, where, occasionally someone would fall into it as they walked down the isle with their eyes glued to the screen.

There was Wolf's grocery store on Jackson St. where we would charge our groceries. I think we still owe them money. I hated going there because they would always tease me. Get a haircut or get a dog license. Boy, I wish there was a reason for someone to say that to me now.

I remember the war years with the thousands of soldiers crowding the streets. And in particular, I remember the maneuvers that they would hold on the banks of Red River. They built a USO building at the corner of Foisy and Beauregard that later was occupied by the Salvation Army. Every Friday night the would show movies for the servicemen that we kids could watch.

Then in 1944 came Bolton High School. My buddies and I would go over to the park at noon and lunch on chocolate milk and cinnamon buns as we sat and watched the water flow down the creek. Then there was Mr. Oliphant whose class we would sneak out of when he wasn't looking. And Mr. Clanton, who among other things, was in charge of the canteen. And who could forget the hotfoot that someone would give you while you were being distracted by a confederate. Those were the days.

Through the wonders of the internet, I've managed to contact two childhood friends from Alexandria. One still lives in Alexandria and the otherin Iowa. If anyone remembers me and would like to contact me, you can reach me at rbsimon@cox.net.

Comments: I remember growing up in the late 1960's, in the area called Sunnyside, the area that included Peabody High School, Jones Street Junior High, Peabody Elem., and Cheatum Park where softball games in the summer were a regular ritual in the summertime, and Little League baseball games were hotly contested and celebrated.

All in all, what a wonderful time and era; it makes me proud to be from Alexandria, La.

Name: DANIEL F. MANSBERGER
City: MORGANTOWN
State: WV
Date: JULY 28, 2006

Comments: ARRIVED ENGLAND AFB AUGUST 1963 ASSIGNED TO 1908TH
COMM SQ, CHARLIE SHIFT. WORKED WITH BEACH BROTHERS FROM WISNER, LA., RICHARD SUTTON FROM INDIANA AND YOGI (NICKNAME) BEARA FROM CAJUN COUNTRY.WENT TO MANY RODEOS,

SQ SEARGENT HAD BAR ON ROAD TO ALEXANDRIA, BOUGHT CAR IN PINEVILLE, ARTHUR J. BRENNAN FROM PITTSBURGH, D SHIFT, CAME BACK F ROM TOWN WITH A LARGE FLOWER, LOCAL POLICE SHOWED UP LATER. IN COMM CENTER WE HAD TELEPHONES AND ONE NIGHT LOCAL GIRL CALLED TO SAY SHE WAS ENDING HER LIFE. WE PONDERED FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND CALLED ALEXANDRIA POLICE, THEY BROKE IN HER APARTMENT. SHE WAS PASSED OUT, DRUNK. WAS BARRACKS CHIEF UNTIL I GOT OUT OF THAT JOB. NOT A JOB FOR WORKING SHIFTS.A HAVE KEPT TOUCH WITH SERVICE BUDDIES AND THEY MARRIED LOCAL ALEXANDRIA GIRLS. NOT ME. I CAME BACK TO WEST VIRGINIA ALEXANDRIA IS COLDER IN WINTER THAN WEST VIRGINIA WITH FROST BUILDING UP.OUR UNIT BASKETBALL TEAM HAD MANY BATTLES WITH OTHER UNIT TEAMS.

VERY GOOD MEMORIES OF 1908TH, ENGLAND AFB, AND ALEXANDRIA.

ALL FOR NOW

DANIEL F. MANSBERGER

Name: Billie Stuckey Levine Schoolsky
City: Lake Charles, Louiaiana 70607
State: La.
Date: July 28, 2006

Comments: I was born at the Baptist Hospital. I went to school at St. Francis Xavier School. Married in 1952 to Ronald Levine. He died in 1987 after thirty five years of marriage. I married again to Sam Schoolsky. Ronnie my first husband worked for Wellans Dept. Store and Schwartzbergs. We all moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana where we opened Lee Martin's Mens Store. I loved growing up in Alexandria and still go back as often as I can.

Comments: I grew up in Alexandria in the early 60's when the only fast food places were Burger Chef and Princes Drive Inn. We were a family of seven and my father would take us to Burger Chef where Hamburgers were 25 cents a piece. And for dessert, dad would take us to Holsum Bakery and buy a loaf of hot unsliced bread that we would take home a dip in maple syrup. I remember my mother was always there when I came home from school.

On week-ends a few families in the neighborhood would get together and drive to a near by creek (Shady Nook)and have picnics. The water in the creek was so cold it would take your breathe away. Yes those were simple times for us kids, and I truly miss them and the people that I shared them with.

Comments: Came to Alex. in 1964 from France...yep, an Air Force Brat. My sister married an Airman, I married an Officer at the base chapel. We, Bolton class of '66, just celebrated our 40th reunion with drink, dance and fellowship July 22, 2006. What fun!

I've been gone since 1982, but still call Alex. "home". I loved reading the "memories" submitted...they became MY memories as well. I made a few memories of my own during reunion weekend....will keep in touch with my "new" old friends!!

Comments: Great memories of a wonderful town and community in which to grow up....Schools we could walk to; baseball parks we could ride home from on our bikes after dark; schools the families loved and supported; teachers who cared and gave their best to mold young people into productive, caring adults with pride in themselves....a town that we are forever proud to call our own hometown.

Comments: I was born in Alexandria in 1970. I have had few opportunities to visit my hometown since my family moved to Baton Rouge in 1984, but I've missed it terribly.

Thank you for your commitment to bringing this website to those of us who missed out on the changes to the city during the past several decades. I have to admit, it's more than a little sad to know some places I remember are gone (I still remember every movie my mom took me to see at The Don).

But I'm happy to know someone appreciates the history of Alexandria enough to document this history for the rest of us.

Comments: how about reed and bell and those great hamburgers...hard to imagine reedandbell.com

In the mountains now in n.c., but occasionally think about alex, the ymca and "mr. knox", and the infamous beatle burn at bringhurst in '65...these aging baby boomers wish they had "rubber soul" back

Comments: I'd like to hear from anyone with memories of my favorite cousins -- Pat Armstrong and Vic Wilder. what a pair of rascals -- Pat in his quiet way and Vic with flash and dash.

Comments: I grew up in Rapides parish during the war years of the 40's - 50's and what a romantic care-free life it was. A person may leave Alexandria but the formative years gave me stability for my years at Kennedy Space Center. Once people know you are a Louisianian, any conversation suddenly turns peaceful and all things seem to be common.

Comments: The older I get, the better the memories of Alexandria and Pineville. I graduated from PHS in 1969. My Dad retired as a doctor in Pineville in 2000 and still lives there. I remember playing with friends on Main St. and collecting RC bottle caps from Ralph's to get into the Paramount Theater for the Mickey Mouse Club on Saturdays. Salley's Food store was a place to cool off our bare feet and get cold water. It looked so big then! I was sad when the old high school was torn down, but time marches on, I guess.

Comments: I have spent a little bit of time, going back in time reliving many sights of long past Alexandria.

I worked at Guaranty Bank, down town Alexandria, and we had a whole hour for lunch, plenty of time to go shopping in those wonderful stores, Wellans, Weiss's, Caplan's.

And remembering when we were young girls, catching the city bus on Lee Street and riding it to town to go shopping, Baker's Shoes were the best! Koblems Jewelry where I learned to buy "real" jewelry from my own pay checks I had earned!! boy did we have fun, those really were the best days!!!!

So many names of businesses I had forgotten, thanks for reminding me. I will pass this along to other friends and family.

Comments: Most of my growing up was done in Alex. As a kid, I thought it sucked. As an adult, I realize it was a great place to grow up. I could ride my bike most anywhere I needed to go: School, the park, the zoo, most any point on that little bayou that ran through town (never did learn the name). Memories of special dinners at Herbie K's and Tunks - many drinks and fuzzy memories from The Bayview and "The Place", which when we got tired of bars we began going to. The Kincaid public boat launch, and Azelea Trails were special places as was Indian Creek.

Kaplan's, Caplan's, Security Sporting Goods, American Spirits, Tunk's, Herby K's, Ray's Sound, Wellen's, Port 'o Call - all places synonymous with Alexandria to me.

Comments: My family was from Alexandria. We are the Leggett's of the Sonya Quarters. My parents graduated from Peabody High School I often visited Alexandria from the summers of 1976 - 1986. I left for the military in 1986 and never looked back. But I find myself looking back now.

Comments: Got to spend 10 days in May in the finest spot on Earth visiting family and friends. Things are continually changing making this site and services like it that can archive our past in such an enjoyable manner simply irreplaceable. I'd love to hear from folks too, saw Toni Gagnon signed the register, among others.

Comments: I am thankful for the very tolerant teachers like Mr. Webster (6th grade) and Mr. Bernard P. Ray (5th grade) at Rosenthal Elementary. AJH was a good school, and Bolton High was great too, although I graduated at Tioga in 1980. I truly miss the wonderful people in the community. And I miss the educators who don't seem to mind going the extra mile.

Comments: Growing up in Alexandria provided me with a childhood of splendor and joyous memories that will never fade. It was so exciting at Christmas time to sit in front of the television (watching channel 5) with crossed fingers hoping that Santa would announce my name as he viewed me through his "magic spy glass". And how I loved Uncle Bushy Tail (Dowell Bushnell).

I was a young girl in the 60's thru 70's. I graduated from Peabody High School in 1973. As a child my family shopped at Johnson's Grocery Store on Monroe Street. If you have any old pictures of Johnson's Grocery, I'd love to see them.

Note To: Diana Woodard
I remember you vividly from our years at Reed Ave. Elem. Do you still have red hair? I also remember all of the old classmates that you mentioned. Janice Braxton is actually a relative. It was so nice to see that someone else remembers Zenobia Lee Styles. Do you remember Ricky Wills, Jerry Baldwin, Wilson Barrow, Sandra Faye Davis, Barbara Gail Green and Barbara Ann Johnson? How about staff members- Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Curry, Mr. Freeman, Mr. Bell, Mr. A.L. Cobb and others? I played with you at your parents' home on Shirland Ave. Barbara Christian lived across the street. Do you remember Melvin Jean Williams, her sister, and brothers? They lived on the same street. I actually remember your zany humor. I was a quiet skinny little girl who was best friends with Elvira Jasper. I lived on Monroe Street. Do you remember the Clarks, Johnsons, Halls, Loves, and Easleys? It was wonderful finding your entry Diana. I'd love to hear from you.
BW

Comments: Just came back from a first visit to England AFB since I left in 1989 (used to live in a 2 story 4-plex). Some very nice additions (like the hotel we stayed at), nice renovations (restaurant next door in former Officer's Club) but lots of sad abandoned buildings. ((see pictures on the Retrospective)

I went by the BX (where I went so many, many times). Commissary is gone. My old "friend" the Library is in use but I don't know what for. Next door the theater looks awfully sad. TLQ is of course abandoned (with lots of the furniture and other things I recognized through the windows). The biggest shock was to see my old house totally falling apart. AND still trying to get in touch with Debbie Corley who was a K-teacher there!!

Searching for Aaron & sister Alisson FINCH who were my children's friends while we were all neighbors on England AFB base housing (Juniper Court). Also anybody who went to the base elementary school between 1987 and 1989. email me

Comments: I was stationed at England AFB from Feb 1982 to Sep 1986. By the time I got there, they switched over from A-7s to A-10s. It was my first duty assignment. I sure do miss the people that worked with. The people I knew were Chester Nash, Donald Frazier, Marvin Gault, Gary Keeran, and Sharon Fink.

Recently, I heard about the passing away of David Walker. Both of us were stationed at England. His nephew told me he passed away during the fall of 2005. I hope that those who were stationed there will keep the memories alive in their hearts.

Comments: I am the daughter of Clyde Lehman Keating, In Shreveport briefly to tend to the wrapping up & sale of my family home. I have been living in far-away places of Idaho and the San Juan Islands of Washington State. I remember very well the experiences of walking to Jingoes store, which had a very high sort of loft where the owner told us of his little dog falling off & hanging himself!

I truly LOVED to go to the City Park & loved the merry-go-'round with the wooden flooring. Also the bears! The monkeys! The alligators! There was a park on 16th street where my father played and so did I! There was a slide that seemed so high, and swings that Daddy ran under to push us SO high.

I had the privelege of knowing my Great Grandparents, Austin Clyde, and Mattie Lehman, and perusing through the dusty shelves in "Big Daddy's" workshop where the light filtered through and played upon the piano keys, strings & what not. He was a piano tuner & had built some interesting "prototypes". All in all it was a very safe, wonderful time, the 50's, and the brick streets, a novelty even then. I recall how HUGE this Magnolia tree was I climbed! And the smell! Wow.

My grandparents did have the best things to keep us all in wonder & amazement. Do you remember the smell of going through Zimmerman from Shreveport to Alex?

Comments: My Grandparents lived on Thornton Court. Archie and Juanita Clayton. They raised 3 sons: Baily, Eugene, and David.

Comments: I was stationed at England AFB from 1969-1972, I worked with the 6th SOS as a jet engine mechanic on the A-37s --- it was a great time!!

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