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What is Alexandria's Identity?
Who are Alexandrians historically as a people?
What is the most significant aspect of Alexandria's
history?
What should be Alexandria's logo?
What motto/logo should Alexandria adopt to identify
itself, its history, and to attract tourists to this city?
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| May 13, 1864 - Alexandria's Burning By Union Troops - Rosalind Berg, Artist |
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Father Chad Partain, a noted Alexandria historian, observes correctly
that Alexandria was the only city in Louisiana burned during the Civil War. Father Partain further agrees that the burning
of the city of Alexandria is foundational to who we are as Alexandrians. The state of Georgia capitalizes on Sherman's
march through Georgia, burning cities and towns in his destructive path, to define Georgia's history and to draw tourists
to their state.
Digging down into the soil in downtown Alexandria, Father Partain states
that one finds evidence of the burning of the city of Alexandria. The soil inches down is black with the residue of
Alexandria's burning. The rebuilding of the city of Alexandria, in reconstruction and the following years, was the result
of strong Alexandria families with indomitable spirits who rebuilt Alexandria to compete with other fashionable cities in
the American south. Father Partain states that roughly the first fifteen years of the twentieth century witnessed a
"Golden Age" of Alexandria where citizens demanded that their government compete with major southern cities. In that
time period, the Hotel Bentley was built. The First Methodist Church was built. The now demolished and grandiose
Rapides Parish Courthouse was built. The now non-existent City Hall was built as well as many other notable homes and
businesses. Precious little of Alexandria's twentieth century "Golden Age" remains today.
At one time in the early to mid years of the twentieth century, a lighted
suspended sign over the intersection of Jackson and 10th Streets was erected stating "Welcome to Alexandria - In the
Heart of Louisiana." This lighted suspended sign had a heart in its center and welcomed passengers arriving in Alexandria
at the Missouri Pacific railroad station which was situated on Jackson Street at the railroad tracks.
Under Mayor Ned Randolph's administration, the city of Alexandria adopted
a slogan and had banners on some of the city's utility poles declaring "Alexandria: Crossroads of Louisiana." With Alexandria's
thrust into the twenty-first century, Alexandrians once again confront the questions of who we are historically as citizens
of this city that we love. Are we in fact a city with no identity and with scant civic pride? Have we allowed
most of our historic buildings in our downtown to be demolished? Father Chad Partain thinks so. He (as we do)
loves Alexandria and thinks that it is time for a "Second Golden Age." Approximately one hundred years from Alexandria's
first "Golden Age", is it not time for citizens of our city to once again rise up and demand that our city compete with
other Louisiana cities and other cities of the American south for the grandeur that we want to see accomplished again here
in Alexandria?
In the 1960's Alexandria was Louisiana's fourth largest city. At
this time, we are the ninth ranked city in our state in population. Alexandria's younger population desires that our
downtown be revitalized. Many younger Alexandria urbanites have declared that they would live downtown in a heartbeat
if our downtown were alive and thriving.
The time is now for Alexandrians to rethink
who we are historically as a people and how that factors into our identity. Historically, Alexandria teems with Civil
War history and WWII history. Alexandria was the central focus of the Red River Civil War Campaign. Significantly,
at this time, Forts Randloph and Buhlow are slated for reconstruction by the State of Louisiana. These reconstructions
have already been approved by the Louisiana legislature. The Red River Civil War Campaign Museum to be constructed on
the riverbanks of the Red River in Pineville, at the site of Fort Randolph, will no doubt bring tourist dollars into our city
from Civil War buffs who travel our country studying and reliving Civil War history.
Yes, the burning of the city of Alexandria is foundational to Alexandria's
identity. At this juncture, the Historical Association of Central Louisiana proposes that the city of Alexandria adopts
the following motto and slogan: "Alexandria: Afire Again." The following logo is suggested for the
city of Alexandria's adoption and use:
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| Rosalind Berg, Artist |
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Who are we as Alexandrians? This symbol quickly identifies us with
our history as a Civil War survivor city and with the fact that our "fire" here in Alexandria is still brightly burning.
The historic Kent House is alive and thriving. The Hotel Bentley, which is
Alexandria, symbolizes all that Alexandria has been and all that Alexandria will be in the revitalization of our downtown.
The river symbolizes the continuity and conexity of past and future Alexandria. The bales of cotton floating in the
Red River are a throwback to Alexandria's burning as well as a symbol of the vast agricultural heritage of our city.
This symbol tell us as Alexandrians and the entire State of Louisiana
that Alexandria is once again on the move. This symbol engenders great civic pride and provide
Alexandrians with an identity. The motto "Alexandria: Afire Again" heralds the advent of a "Second Golden Age" here
in Alexandria. This symbol provides Alexandria with a progressive platform and foundation of where we are moving as
a city.
Thinking expansively, any one of the following talking points are inherent
in the logo and the motto of "Alexandria: Afire Again," to wit:
- "Alexandria: Afire Again" and burning with a vision for
our future.
- "Alexandria: Afire Again"and burning with a sense of
who we are historically.
- "Alexandria: Afire Again"and burning with fresh new leadership from
names such as: Roy, Lawson, Marshall, Fowler, Johnson, Hobbs, Smith, Silver, Michiels, White and Hess -- who just
happen to be Alexandria's City Council, the Mayor of Alexandria and members of the mayor's staff.
- "Alexandria: Afire Again" and burning with new industry
locating in Alexandria and the surrounding vicinity.
- "Alexandria: Afire Again" with a desire to preserve our
historical structures and to revitalize our downtown and our historic districts.
- "Alexandria: Afire Again"and burning with a desire to
not only conduct business downtown, but to reside in a revitalized downtown with a view of the Red River.
- "Alexandria: Afire Again" and burning with our identity
and passion for who we are as Alexandrians and the recapturing our status as a thriving, pulsing, growing Louisiana city and
a major Louisiana municipal player.
One
final question remains:
Will we as Alexandrians tolerate another fifty years of failing to
identify who we are and failing to come together collectively generating the civic pride that other major Louisiana citizens
possess? If you believe that it is now time for a "Second Golden Age" here in Alexandria,
please do as Alexandrians did in the early years of the twentieth century: They demanded that their city leaders move progressively
into the twentieth century competing architecturally and economically with the likes of other southern American and Louisiana
cities. Alexandrians are people with indomitable spirits. It is time to come together and move forward in our
city in a manner we have not witnessed in the past fifty years.
Will you be an Alexandrian Afire Again? If so, let your voice be
heard and your influence be felt in this city. As an advocacy group, the Historical Association of Central Louisiana,
welcomes your membership, your partnership, your thoughts, your ideas and your influence as a member of this non-proft corporation.
We, the Historical Association of Central Louisiana, intend to fan the historic and present embers inherent in our city's
fabric so that this city is indeed "Alexandria: Afire Again" assuring that Alexandria, once again, takes its rightful place
as a progressive Louisiana municipality.
To join us, please click here.
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