An Alexandria, La. , Bolton Avenue Home about 1908.

There were some awesome homes on Bolton Avenue at the beginning of the 1900′s. One little known fact: Alexandria was then two city’s. Alexandria proper, from the river to the railroad tracks. West Alexandria,  from the tracks to the cotton fields just  past Bolton Avenue. There was even a mayor for each town…

Boy, would that be a problem today!

But that’s another story.

Here is the Paul Lisso home. Located at Bolton and Albert Streets about 1908.

Notice the large gazebo on the left if you click to enlarge the photo.

But wait..did I post an educational and non controversal blog subject?  (Sorry!)

Alex

1908 Bolton Avenue home.

Argue about something constructive..I dare you!

Once again the blogs are ya-ya-ing about the absurd and ridiculous.

It all boils own to one damn thing ..You apply for an event permit in the correct way….if you are a qualified non-profit, you should have no problems. If you want to register voters, make it a blanket deal for each and every citizen..no matter his race or color..period……No if’s and’s or but’s….. It may be a hassle, but by God you can do it. Quit bitching about what the hell if ……or you are discriminated against or it aint right or you are the wrong race. It makes no difference if you are Blue, Purple, Green or Pink..In todays world you are equal under the law. Quit this constant bitching  about being denied your rights.

No one is plotting against you…..Most people just sick and tired of the constant bitching……for imagined reasons…..Most of the citizens of Alexandria are too damn  lazy to vote in the first place, so why worry about registering if you refuse to vote. Claim any thing you want..

It all boils down to the fact you are trying to attract a crowd to see you beating a dead horse.

Anyone can make a mountain out of a passant’s fingernail if they scrape hard enough. (What the hell am I saying?)

.I found from experience that if you yell long enough and loud enough..sometimes someone will just reach for the off switch and move on to something with a little more significance and substance to it..

Rabble rousing for attention is getting tiresome and boring…

That’s  my rant and I am sticking to it..This city needs  some people who care about it progressing…I am beginning to wonder if there are any out there or is it just a bad pipe dream?

Come on  folks..that dead horse stinks!

Alex

Alexandria, Louisiana. Fantastic copy of document signed by founder of this city, July 5, 1802.

Below you see a copy of  a loan note signed by Alex. Fulton Dated July 5, 1802.

Alexander Fulton is the founder of the city of Alexandria, La. Some say he named the city after a daughter. All records indicate he had no daughter…. Alexandria was named after Fulton  himself. This photo is from the Louisiana History Museum. The museum, located at 503 Washington Street is one of the best in the State and is adding new exhibits monthly. Take the time to visit it and you will be amazed at what you will learn. There is no admission fee and it will take you over an hour to see all the exhibits.   (MUCH longer if you actually study them all.)

I have been many times … each trip I discover something new.

Alex

July 1802

Every photograph tells a story. (More “Alexandria junk” from Alex’s trash bin)

Without fail, most of us look at a photograph, take in the surface image and then dismiss it to the trash bin in our mind. I have been guilty of this especially when I was younger. Today I am literally a photo freak. When I come across a batch of old photograph’s, trying to get my attention for something else is like screaming my name in the Gand Canyon while I am a thousand miles away.  I see a story in each one I study. At first you see just the major image. A car, building or a group of people. Most of the time, like I stated… we just take in the obvious and dismiss it.

Scroll down to the picture below.  What do you see?  An old car. A church in the background. A lady driving the car. It is decorated with ribbon. There are people around the car.From the style of the automobile it is 1915-20 at the latest. (That information is obvious only if you are familiar with the evolution of the automobile.) We have then dated the photo.

That is a step past the “interesting” image. Old car…. People in front of a church. End of story to some.

What type of building in the background? A church building. I recognise it as a church I have seen photo’s of before. It is from Alexandria. The building is the old Saint James Episcopal Church. The one that replaced this is located on Bolton Avenue. This would be elusive, if you were not able to do research.

So we know where it was taken…

Now..lets look at the car carefully. Do you see something after studying it in detail? Flags.  Ribbon streamers on the car..What kind of flags? Confederate battle flags.

What do we have here? A Klan rally?  Not quite. Once again..more than meets the eye or instant assumption….It is a celebration or event.

Look at the people behind the car, now. To the left you see them. Old grizzled veterans of a war fought when they were youngsters. They wear the Confederate style uniform hat’s. Then we know, it was a ceremony to recognise the sacrifices these men made long ago. (It makes no difference what you may think of the popular opinions of today.) These men served their country as Union soldiers served theirs. Nothing more, nothing less.

This is just an old photograph of a church, a car and some people.

(Or is it?)

Alex

A Church, a car and some people.

Blogs and why we write them. (A ramble of sorts.)

First of all..I have said it  before..although I wish  to remain nameless, most if not all the blog writers either know me personally or know of me.

 

I do not write this blog because I crave attention.  I am a published author and spent in excess of 25 years in the news and entertainment media. I have continued in an offhand way in the media eye in one way or the other for over 50 years. I blog for fun. I have no political aspirations what-so-ever. I feel that there is an inherent stupidity in politics that has prevailed in this area for decades. It has not been a progressive attitude and during my life time I doubt it will get any better, just decay more.

A few comments have been made about a blog that surfaced during the last Mayor’s election. It was a sick, self-serving absolute pice of crap that was about as racist as it was pure trash. Like the saying go’s shit  happens..I will not give this blog any more publicity. The other blogs have done so. Lamar’s comments pretty well put it completely in prospective. Do not get me wrong..Lamar is just as guilty of making mistakes, like the rest of us…We all have our blatant faults…

Why do blog authors attack  and try to  discredit any one person or a group of people? Sometimes it is for a noble cause..to correct a real dysfunction in government or in social life. These people sometimes achieve a miracle of sorts..But this happens very seldom.

I am seeing a trend more and more in the local Alexandria blogs. They seem to get some sort of  perverted pleasure in attacking each other..  I want to be the last to judge, but  the whole thing is getting away from being constructive and is on a downhill destructive nosedive.

In reality..very few people are affected by the learned writings of bloggers.

You achieve a following for a while, of sorts..nothing more.

I understand that fact of life. If I get 50 to 100 viewers a day it is a wonder. I could get more by being obnoxious and degrade people in the community.

That is the lazy and easy way….The path of most attention in some cases.

Why do we write blogs? It is mostly an ego thing… They could serve a good purpose.. Around Alexandria..not so much. Give’s a nice impression to those who read them who are interested in this area though, don’t it?

I spent the better part of over an hour with a local news media representative Thursday. He came to me to actually check his facts. They still do that you  know..I will get no mention  in his project and really do not want to.

I was taken back at his interest in getting facts right. That is seldom strived for in today’s world…

Funny though..I changed my mind on a request and decided to favorably help a blog  out. sent them a message on their,” Contact us”  section actually three times..even gave my phone nuimber…I think that was in total more than  three days ago.. No   response….

Like I said..I am no better than the rest and do not pretend to be…….

I could single people out and give ryme and reason..but why bother?

Alex

A promotion that helps a good cause.

As you might have noticed I have one sponsor and their adv. is posted on the right side of my blog.   Genius Antiques.   www.genius-antiques.com   They do  not have a shop here in Alexandria. They sell on-line only…. .Genius Antiques has been in business for almost 30 years. Selling and doing upper scale antique shows all over the United States.  Very seldom displaying in this area.

I asked if they had something that was in my words “mind-blowing” that they would sell.

Below is a photograph of the collection they would like to feature. The subject matter to some is controversial.  Lets focus on the history aspect and leave the comments to the items merit as a collectible only.

This is a complete one of a kind SS Officers Belt–Shoulder  Strap–whistle–cartridge Box and  Braided shoulder decoration. The name of the officer and his rank will be furnished with the items. These came from a U.S. Army officer who debriefed  German soldier at the end of WW-2 in Berlin, Germany…  There is  no doubt to their providence what-so-ever.

The real market  value of the collection is in excess of $5,000.00..

Genius  Antiques will donate 25% of the sale of this collection to the Louisiana History Museum. That donation will be tax-deductible for the person that might purchase the collection. The collection has been placed in the vault of the Louisiana History Museum…

The sale price is $4,000.00. ..That is much  less than the   market value of items in this condition. Sorry no dealing or offers on this item..It is a one time offering. (Subject to removal at any time.)

It will be shown to a fully identified prospective buyer for inspection with the submission of a legal ID. (Sorry, in today’s market, that’s the way it has to be.) After your idenity is verified an appointment will be set up for you to view the collection at the Louisiana History Museum office only…

So, with that being said.. Here is the item and the reply of sincere interest should be to  geniusantiques@aol.com

If you click on the photograph, it should bring up an enlargement in high detail.

S.S. Collection

Alexandria junk from about 1915 to 1945.

A lot of people call it “Junk” To them it may well be. I just thought I would publish  two random items I have  found over the years.  I know nothing about Sloan Motor Co. I would guess the advertisment is from around 1915 one way or the other. If a reader has any details to add, please do so. I just thought it interesting and I have been a long time fan of old  cars of any make.

The next photo is an advertisment from an old folder I have. Coleman Hudson was a manager of the Bentley  in the 1940-50 time period.  His name was always on the Bentley promotion items of that time.

If you have any interesting items from Alexandrias past, why not share it with us.

Enjoy!

Alex

Sloan Motor Co. Alexandria, La.

Random Comments on Central La. events.

First off, the cemetery vase bandits…Is there  any lower form of life than those two?  But I also blame the scrap buyers. It would take an idiot not to spot the remnant of a brass or bronze vase…But perhaps scrap buyers are becoming a lower life form also? Anything for a buck.  What punishment would fit these two creeps?

LSU lost. I figured it would happen… They just sort of went to sleep on the field and did not wake up till the game was over…(Oh well..maybe next year.) What are  they going to do with all those T-shirts and hats???

Oh..and by the way…Contrary to what anyone may think, Harry Silver is a very savvy individual…

The next few city council meetings should be interesting to follow…

I understand your pain Greg.

The Director of the Louisiana History Museum says contact him through the museum site email and he will be glad to share any photo’s or information with any blog..  Alex is just a good friend of his  and believes in the Museum.

Lamar..I feel as you do. I have had gay friends over the years and have never felt threatened by them. I found the majority to be above average in intelligence and trustworthy. They have their own niche in society. (Like anyone else..there are good and bad.)  Simple as that. Please no crude jokes. ..

One more thing..Cajun Pawn Stars…Gonna be a hit..Watch it..Sunday night’s 9pm on the History Channel…Entertianing and educational..

Any one have a suggestion on a Central Louisiana subject that they would like to find out more about? If you havent guessed by now, I love history.

Alex

Blog shows it’s total lack of credibility. Steals photographs. Update. Blog apologizes..

I work with the Louisiana History museum. I have permission to use the museum archived photographs. All they ask is that you have the very simple courtesy to ask permission to use them and give credit to the museum…

Short and simple request. Takes very little effort.

Its sad when you are to lazy or lack ethics and steal them. It just underlines your lack of credibility. Background photographs used with out permission. Credit for use is asked by the LHM..

This reply to the Blogs apology was posted earlier in their comment section….

On behalf of the Director of the LHM your apology is accepted. The permission you posted was for an single photograph subject not a blanket permission for any one group of photographs… Permission for use in a banner is denied.

Alex

Cajun Pawn Stars first show tonight on History Channel.

The general reaction from what I can gather  is  ..”What’s that?”

We have a bunch of dumb asses in media around here.

They have no defence against that statement.

LSU football game broadcast…(If they win..)..short-term effect.

Ghost Hunters…short term effects.

A movie with one or two scenes shot in Alexandria..next to no effect…if any.

A weekly national tv series that  show cases the area, if promoted and taken advantage of…….LONG term effects.

Do the math.

(OK..I understand..you slept through the economic courses.)

I was bored, but I listened to what the professor said.

Alex