Monroe, Louisiana

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City of Monroe
City
none Monroe-West Monroe
Monroe-West Monroe
Nickname : Twin City
Motto : One City, One Future
Country United States
State Louisiana
Parish Ouachita
Area 31.6 sq mi (81.8 km²)
 - land 28.7 sq mi (74.3 km²)
 - water 3.7 sq mi (9.6 km²), 11.71%
 - metro 1,538 sq mi (3,983.4 km²)
Center
 - coordinates 32°30′37″N 92°05′42″W / 32.51028°N 92.095°W / 32.51028; -92.095Coordinates: 32°30′37″N 92°05′42″W / 32.51028°N 92.095°W / 32.51028; -92.095
 - elevation 72 ft (21.9 m)
Population 53,107 (2000)
 - metro 170,053 (2000)
Density 1,851.8 /sq mi (715 /km²)
 - metro 111 /sq mi (42.9 /km²)
Mayor James E. "Jamie" Mayo
Time zone CST (UTC-6)
 - summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes 71201-03
Area code 318
Location of Monroe in Louisiana
Location of Monroe in Louisiana
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Website : http://www.ci.monroe.la.us
Colorful Washington Plaza in downtown Monroe
Monroe City Hall
Monroe Convention Hall across from City Hall
St. Matthews Catholic Church in downtown Monroe
First Baptist Church in downtown Monroe
Frank "Buddy" Flowers Chapel at Louisiana Baptist Children's Home orphanage in Monroe

Monroe (historically French: Poste-du-Ouachita[1]) is a city in and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 53,107, making it the eighth largest city in Louisiana. A July 1, 2007 United States Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 51,208.[2] It is the principal city of the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes the parishes of Ouachita and Union. The two-parish area had a total population of 170,053 in 2000 and an estimated population of 172,275 as of July 1, 2007.[3] The larger Monroe-Bastrop Combined Statistical Area is composed of both the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Bastrop Micropolitan Statistical Area. The CSA had a population of 201,074 in 2000.

Monroe and the neighboring city of West Monroe (pop. 13,250), which sits just across the Ouachita River, are often referred to as the Twin Cities of northeast Louisiana.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Monroe is located at 32°30′37″N 92°05′42″W / 32.51028°N 92.095°W / 32.51028; -92.095 (32.510343, -92.094895)[4] and has an elevation of 72 feet (21.9 m)[5].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 31.6 square miles (83.9 km²), of which, 28.7 square miles (74.3 km²) of it is land and 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²) of it is water. The total area is 11.46% water.

[edit] Demographics

Francis Towers Apartments, a former hotel, in downtown Monroe

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 53,107 people, 19,421 households, and 12,157 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,851.8 people per square mile (714.9/km²). There were 21,278 housing units at an average density of 741.9/sq mi (286.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 36.78% White, 61.13% African American, 0.13% Native American, 1.05% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.01% of the population.

There were 19,421 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.4% were married couples living together, 25.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 15.0% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,864, and the median income for a family was $33,263. Males had a median income of $31,840 versus $22,352 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,933. About 26.3% of families and 32.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.3% of those under the age of 18 and 21.6% of those 65 and older.

[edit] Education

[edit] Public schools

The Monroe City School System manages 18 primary schools, 13 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 3 high schools. The high schools included in the city system are Carroll High School, Neville High School, and Wossman High School. The Ouachita Parish School System is responsible for managing schools outside the Monroe city limits.

[edit] Private schools

Monroe is also home to Grace Episcopal School([1]), Geneva Academy, River Oaks School, New Vision Learning Academy, Ouachita Christian School, Northeast Baptist School, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, Claiborne Christian, Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic School, and St. Frederick's Catholic School.

[edit] Colleges and Universities

The University of Louisiana at Monroe is located in the city, as well as Delta Community College. The Louisiana Technical College, Delta Ouachita Campus, is located a few miles west of West Monroe and provides vocational and technical training and education for both post high school and adult students. Grambling State University and Louisiana Tech are just over 30 miles west of Monroe.

[edit] Transportation

Greyhound Bus Lines provides transportation from Monroe to many cities across the nation. The city of Monroe also has the oldest municipally owned transit system in the nation. Created in 1906, the Monroe Transit System (mtsbus.org) is the public transportation provider of 13 bus routes covering areas of the city.

Monroe Regional Airport serves the city. The airport has three main runways and is served by Delta, Northwest, American, and Continental Airlines.

Monroe can be accessed from I-20, U.S. Highway 165, L.A. Highway 15, and U.S. Highway 80.

Monroe has two main railroads Kansas City Southern Railway that runs from east to west and Union Pacific that runs from North to South. Other railroads include:

[edit] Entertainment

The Monroe Civic Center, which has multiple complexes. The main complex is the Civic center Arena. This arena provides 44,000 square feet (4,100 m2) of exhibit space along with 5,600 seats. The arena may have larger capacities up to 7,200 seats. The arena houses events such as banquets, circuses, and rodeos. The civic center also has the B.D. Robinson conference hall, Monroe Convention Center, equestrian pavilion, and the W.L. "Jack" Howard Theatre.

Monroe features the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo, which collectively maintains over 500 animals. The zoo also offers boat rides and a catwalk in addition to other seasonal activities.

The Monroe area is home to several museums, including the Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum, The Biedenharn Museum and Gardens, Aviation Military Museum, the Masur Museum of Arts, and the Northeast Louisiana Delta African-American Heritage Museum.

Monroe is home to the Louisiana Motor Speedway, located near Interstate 20, and Twin City Dragway.

Monroe hosts Deltafest.

[edit] Golf

[edit] Shopping

[edit] Economy

Monroe served as the home of Delta Air Lines from 1926 to 1941 when the company relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. Delta maintained mainline jet service to Monroe until 2002 despite the city's small size. Monroe Regional Airport's logo is a "Delta" symbol and bears the statement "Birthplace of Delta Air Lines" at the entrance and on its website. Monroe is the historic site of the first Coca-Cola bottling plant.

Today, Monroe is home to many manufacturing, healthcare, banking, and farm-related corporations and partners. Monroe hosts corporate offices for Chase Manhattan Bank's mortgage records division , the headquarters of Vantage Health Plan, (a major supplier of health insurance in Louisiana, whose office building is a part of Monroe's downtown skyline), Ouachita Fertilizer, a branch of the Abell Corporation, and Berry Plastics Group, formerly Tyco Plastics, which has a production facility in Monroe. Bancroft Bag employs over 400 employees in its facilities. Accent Marketing has located its offices in Monroe's old State Farm office complex. Angus Chemical, a subsidiary of Dow Chemical, located in nearby Sterlington, LA, contributes to Monroe's underlying economy as well. There are plans in place for a new production facility in the former Guide production facility.

The Monroe metro area boasts four major hospitals, including St. Francis North (formerly North Monroe Medical Center), and St. Francis Medical Center, home of the Kitty Degree Breast Health Center, respectively. Monroe's hospital system has been rated among the nation's top 5%. The other two include the Louisiana State University Medical Center - Monroe (formerly the E.A. Conway Hospital, which includes a family medicine residency program providing charity medical care to the eight parishes of Northeast Louisiana), and Glenwood Medical Center (West Monroe).

Monroe is the corporate headquarters for CenturyTel, a Fortune 1000 company and the eighth-largest telecommunications provider in the nation. The Northeast Louisiana War Veteran's Home is located adjacent to the campus.

[edit] National Guard

Monroe is home to the 528th Engineer Battalion of the Louisiana Army National Guard. This unit is part of the 225th Engineer Group which is headquartered in Pineville, Louisiana at Camp Beauregard.

[edit] Neighborhoods

Southern Monroe (south of U.S. Highway 80) This area contains the Pecanland Mall and the Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo.

  • Parkview
  • Robinson Place
  • Richwood
  • Pine Bayou
  • Lamyville
  • Renwick's Addition
  • Oregon Trail
  • West Parkview
  • Oak Manor
  • Bryant's Addition
  • Grayling Bend
  • Tanglewood
  • Charmingdale
  • New Town
  • Atkinson Quarters
  • King Oaks
  • Hollywood Heights
  • Lincoln Park

North and East Monroe (north of U.S. Highway 80) The University of Louisiana at Monroe and the headquarters for CenturyTel can be found in this area.

  • Betin Heights
  • Oakmont
  • Westminister
  • Garden District
  • Marie Place Addition
  • Sholar's Addition
  • Pargoud Place
  • Plantation Park
  • Point Place
  • Westwood
  • Forsythe Park
  • Brierfield
  • River Oaks
  • Town & Country
  • Northside Terrace
  • Cypress Point
  • Lakeshore
  • Bayou Oaks
  • Frenchman's Bend
  • Swartz
  • Lincoln Hills
  • Parkview Heights Subdivision
  • North Pointe Plantation
  • Booker T
  • Treasure Island

[edit] Media

Monroe is served by a Gannett newspaper, the Monroe News Star, formerly an afternoon daily owned and operated by the late father-son team of publishers, Robert Wilson Ewing, I, and John D. Ewing of New Orleans and Shreveport, respectively. When the Ewing's Monroe Morning World ceased publication, the sister publication, the News Star, became the city's morning-only newspaper. The News Star can be found online at http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage. Among the staff members of the News Star is political reporter Greg Hilburn, son of Wiley W. Hilburn, head of the Journalism Department at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston and himself a former World-News Star reporter.

Monroe is also served by two African-American weekly newspapers: The Monroe Free Press and the Monroe Dispatch. The Free Press was founded in 1969 by Roosevelt Wright, Jr.; its web presence began in 1996 and is located at http://monroefreepress.com. The Dispatch was founded in 1975 by Irma and Frank Detiege.

[edit] Television

[edit] Radio

[edit] Notable people

[edit] Sports

[edit] Musicians

  • Hamid Drake -- Jazz drummer and percussionist
  • Carl Fontana -- Jazz trombonist
  • Kevin Griffin-- Lead Singer of Better Than Ezra
  • Andy Griggs -- Country music singer
  • Billy Ledbetter—Singer-songwriter; his "Stealing Hubcaps" was a hit single in the 1960s. He was voted top lounge entertainer in Las Vegas for five consecutive years.
  • Frank Ticheli -- Internationally known composer, conductor, Professor of Music, University of Southern California I
  • Leon "Pee Wee" Whittaker -- African American trombonist who played with the Rabbit's Foot Minstrels from Monroe between 1935 and 1950
  • William Lon Wilson---Singer, songwriter, drummer----wrote numerous top 10 country songs, consistently voted top studio drummer in Nashville

[edit] Politicians

[edit] Businesspeople

  • Earl Casey (born ca. 1947), executive of CNN - Turner Broadcasting, Inc. since 1981, began journalism career at KNOE-TV in 1965
  • Grady A. Dugas (1923-2007), inventor of the "Safer Automatic Wheelchair Wheel Locks"
  • William Cecil "Billy" Farr (1942-2008), a pioneer in the mobile home business, opened Farr's Manufactured Housing in West Monroe in 1963, the first such company in Northeast Louisiana. A native of Gainesville, Texas, and a former medic in the United States Air Force, Farr was inducted into the Louisiana Manufactured Housing Association Hall of Fame. He died of cancer and is interred in Mulhearn Memorial Park in Monroe.[7]
  • Collett E. Woolman, one of the original directors of Delta Air Service. The founders were Collett Woolman, C.H. McHenry, Travis Oliver, and M.S. Biedenharn.

[edit] Actors/Entertainment

[edit] Activists

[edit] Writers

  • Harry W. Addison, writer and humorist
  • Speed Lamkin, novelist and playwright
  • Margaret Sartor, memoirist (Miss American Pie) and photographer

[edit] Others

  • Elbert Clayton Pilley (November 25, 1925 - October 12, 2008) of West Monroe was a veteran of the first United States Navy underwater demolition teams during World War II -- the original Navy SEALs. Pilley also earned the Bronze Star during the Battle of Iwo Jima. A native of Sikes, he was a retired heavy equipment operator and pipeliner. He was Baptist. His wife of fifty-eight years, Phyllis, died in 2006. Survivors included a son, Stephen Pilley, Sr.; a daughter, Cynthia P. Tucker; seven grandchildren; a brother, Cecil Pilley, and a sister, Joan P. Cockerham. Interment was at New Chapel Hill Cemetery in West Monroe.[8]

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.thecajuns.com/oldnew.htm
  2. ^ "Table 4: Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places in Louisiana, Listed Alphabetically: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2007" (CSV). 2007 Population Estimates. United States Census Bureau, Population Division. 2008-07-10. http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2007-04-22.csv. Retrieved on 2008-10-03. 
  3. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2007 (CBSA-EST2007-01)" (CSV). 2007 Population Estimates. United States Census Bureau, Population Division. 2008-03-27. http://www.census.gov/popest/metro/tables/2007/CBSA-EST2007-01.csv. Retrieved on 2008-10-03. 
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-31. 
  5. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved on 2008-01-31. 
  6. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved on 2008-01-31. 
  7. ^ thenewsstar.com | Monroe OBITUARY | The News Star
  8. ^ Obituary of Elbert Clayton Pilley, Monroe News-Star, October 15, 2008:http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/dclassifieds?Dato=20081015&Kategori=OBITUARY&Class=30&Type=CAT30200&Lopenr=810000173&Selected=1

[edit] External links

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