Continued

     West Monroe’s first City Hall was designed by architect William Drago and built in 1907 at the corner of Trenton and Pine Streets. The building was the center of government until a new city hall was built at the corner of Natchitoches and Cypress Streets in 1949.
     The city of West Monroe acquired the Hasley Cemetary located on Arkansas Road in 1917. This property was owned by Phinetta Wooten Hasley and was acquired by Major Thomas McGuire in 1879. His son, Herman McGuire, donated the property to the city for use as a cemetery.
     During the term of Chancey Clyde Bell, Sr. in the 1930’s, West Monroe constructed the present sea wall built to combat numerous floods from the Ouachita River.
     In 1935, another bridge was constructed further linking Monroe to West Monroe near the Union Cottonseed Oil Mill. Bridge Street was also built at the same time that required the demolition of the Westside Lumber Company and McClure’s Lumber Company. At the time, the area was composed of numerous lumber mills. The bridge officially opened on April 30, 1936. It was originally named the P. M. Atkins Bridge, but by law no public structure could be named for someone still living. It was later named the Lea Joyner Bridge in memory of the late Reverand Lea Joyner.
     In 1953, Ouachita Parish built West Monroe’s first high school, known as West Monroe High School. A committee was formed to choose a nickname for the school and the name “Rebels’ was chosen. Previously, students in West Monroe attended Ouachita Parish High School.
     Following C. C. Bell Sr., the following filled the office of West Monroe mayor: R. M. Browning (1924-26), Harry Williams (1938-42), D. C. Golson (1942-1947), C. C. Bell, Jr. (1947-52), J. Allen Norris (1952-66), W. Bert Hatten (1966-78), and Dave Norris, the present mayor.
     The most significant accomplishment during the Allen Norris administration was the construction of the I-20 through the south side of West Monroe and across the Ouachita River.
      Under Hatten’s administration, West Monroe adopted the Home Rule Charter in 1971 which set forth its own rules and governmental structure. Hatten also worked to improve West Monroe’s public utilities and the hard surfacing of every street in the city. During Hatten’s administration, West Monroe began the construction of the new convention center, city hall, city court, police station, and city prison on North 7th Street.
      Dave Norris, the grandson of syrup manufacturer William Norris, and the younger brother to former Court of Appeal Judge Bill Norris, took the oath of office in 1978. An economics professor, Norris reformed the city’s budget and structure, increasing the governmental efficiency of the city. During Norris’ tenure, the city completed the new city hall, city court, police station, and city prison; Kiroli Park was annexed into the city and landscaped into a first class city park; the farmers market and senior center was constructed; and the deterioration of the city’s historic downtown area was reversed as a downtown plan was implemented in 1991 to establish the Cotton Port Historic District.
       The year of 1993 was one of the most significant in the history of West Monroe. The WMHS football team galvanized the community by overcoming odds to win the state football championship; the West Monroe Police Department achieved national recognition and achievement prompting Attorney General Janet Reno to travel to West Monroe and speak at the convention center; all-star pitcher Chuck Finley returned to West Monroe to the Boy’s Club banquet and raised thousands of dollars for area children; and West Monroe approved a Heritage Preservation Commission and two historic districts, the Filhiol District and Cotton Port District.
       West Monroe has reason to expect continued growth and prosperity. The crime rate here is among the lowest in the state; the public schools and its teachers are among the best; and Glenwood’s new medical mall is on the cutting edge of architecture. West Monroe’s industrial parks continue to be successful. In July, 1994, West Monroe was honored to have its native son, Lt. Col. James D. Halsell, pilot the space shuttle Columbia. With the continued success of the Ike Hamilton Expo Center, continuing development of the riverfront and the anticipated development of Trenton Meadows shopping mall, the people of West Monroe are excited about the future of their fine city under the very capable leadership of the Honorable Mayor Dave Norris.
      Our city could continue to be as or more successful under any name including one of its original 19th century names, Trenton.

Ron Downing, a local historian and businessman, recently received the A. O. Evans award for his contributions and commitment to maintaining the historical significance to our community. When he is not researching local historical events or designing floral arrangement at his shop, R. Downing, Ltd., Ron dotes on his two grandsons, Paul, who turned 11 in March, and Garrett, who turned 1 in January.