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Landmarks draw focus
to Western Pride community
Many landmarks in West
Monroe have inherited their
significance from
long-standing-reputations and
uniqueness.
Well-known for its
recreational opportunities, the
Ouachita River provides a
boundary between the Twin
Cities. The first bridge crossing
the Ouachita River for public
use, the DeSiard Street Bridge
was recently reopened
following a barge crash in
1974. Located at the foot of
the bridge, Gentry' s Dixie
Dandy is the oldest
supermarket in West Monroe.
While many cross the 1-20
overpass at night, they may
notice the illuminated First
Baptist steeple, one of the
mainstays of downtown West
8/ Landmarks
Monroe. Also located in
downtown West Monroe,
Coney Island is a small
restaurant famous for its hot
dogs.
Marked by graffiti, the
seawall was built in 1937 to
protect West Monroe citizens
from threatening rising river
water. Also a target of graffiti
artists, the water tower can
be seen from many vantage
points and provides an
efficient water system for city
residents.
A large red barn would
attract anyone's attention , but
one in the city' s limits is even
more unusual, making the
Bennett' s Barn on Wellerman
Road one which anyone in
West Ouachita Parish
recognizes.
TOP LEFT: Annette G1nn, Janet Westbrook and Drew Kennedy are among some of the
students who stop 1n at Coney Island for some of the1r famous hot dogs. TOP MIDDLE:
The West Monroe Water tower on 7th Street prov1des an eff1c1ent water system for
city residents. MIDDLE LEFT: From the
1-20
overpass, many may not1ce the F1rst Bapt1st
Church steeple in downtown West Monroe. ABOVE: EnJOying the warm autumn day,
Blaine Bates, Dawn Kile, Laune Yeager, Janet Jo1ner arid Melanie
Hark~ns
v1s1t the
Bennett's Barn on Wellerman Road.