ORIGINS OF WEST MONROE, LA
West Monroe, Louisiana is one of the twin cities of North Louisiana, situated just on the other side of the Ouachita River from its counterpart, Monroe. The twin cities of Monroe-West Monroe began when Don Juan Filhiol was hired to establish Fort Miro as a Spanish presence on the north Ouachita River. Fort Miro became Monroe in May of 1819 to honor President James Monroe and the first steamboat to travel up the Ouachita to North Louisiana. West Monroe received its name in 1880 from railroad workers who needed to name a new city just west of Monroe.
In 1914, Joseph Biedenharn, the first bottler of Coca-Cola, built his home in Monroe and was actively involved in the city’s development until his death in 1952. His daughter, Emy-Lou established the Emy-Lou Biedenharn foundation in 1971 to support the cultural and artistic life of Northeast Louisiana and it continues to this very day.
The Twin Cities are the only two cities in Ouachita Parish, which also includes two small but vibrant towns of Richwood and Sterlington, as well as four census-designated places (Brownsville-Bawcomville, Calhoun, Claiborne, and Swartz).
Ouachita Parish was established March 31, 1807 when the Territory of Orleans was divided. The name Ouachita originated from the Indian tribe who inhabited the area at the time of settlement. The city of Monroe is the parish seat for Ouachita. Ouachita is pronounced “Wah-chih-taw”.
GROWTH PATTERNS OF WEST MONROE, LA
Currently, West Monroe, Louisiana has approximately 13,094 residents and is a major central shopping district for outlying areas such as Calhoun and Bawcomville. Since its establishment in 1883, West Monroe has prided itself as being a safe, fiscally responsible City with a small town atmosphere and big city amenities. Throughout the community, you’ll still find neighbors visiting after Sunday services and picnicking in the park. You’ll also find Louisiana’s first nationally accredited police force, major food and retail chains, and innovative programs to preserve both our environment and culture.
One of the major contributors to growth in recent years has been the influx of relocating CenturyLink families. CenturyLink is the third largest cellular provider in the United States and just this year alone has brought over 800 jobs to it’s newest edition, CenturyLink Technology Center of Excellence. Though the corporate campus sits on US Highway 165 in Monroe, many families are opting for residences in West Monroe.
The Louisiana Film Initiative has created a vibrant culture for art projects in Louisiana and it has been dubbed as Hollywood South. While these types of initiatives are mainly project-oriented, the Northeast Louisiana Region is seeing an influx of grant initiatives and tax incentives to the region that are employing those who would not otherwise be employable.
One additional phenomenon that was virtually unpredictable is America’s interest in the Duck Commander brand and what has resulted in many tourists flocking to West Monroe from all over America on I-20 just to get a glimpse of Uncle Si, Willie, or someone related to the Robertson clan.