Mire provides ‘Images’ book teaser to Rotarians

Ann Mire has quite the soft spot for history, particularly the history of this city.

“If you’re ever looking for an old picture, call me, I probably know where to look,” she said.

So, when Chamber President and CEO Amy Thibodeaux asked the local go-to historian why Crowley did not have an “Images of America” book, Mire found herself under contract with Arcadia Publishing and faced down a six-month deadline to create an edition just for Crowley.

“You have six months to put the thing together, so by about five-and-a-half months, you start going ‘Oh, shoot! What have I done to myself?’” she said. “But, at any rate, I appreciate everyone’s help.”

Mire was the guest speaker Tuesday at the Rotary Club of Crowley’s meeting where she provided a teaser of her book  to the club’s members.

Mire showed some of the photos in the book and spoke about each one, starting, of course, at the beginning with C.C. and W.W. Duson.

“Both are responsible for founding (the city),” she said, “but as far as building it up, I think more of the credit goes to W.W. He donated property for schools and for churches.

“If you’re going to have a community, you really need churches and schools and that type of stuff.”

Mire also showed photos of Crowley’s old courthouses, educators, churches, businesses and many more.

The presentation also provided Mire a chance to show off her favorite photo that appears in the book which, had she the final word, would have been the cover of “Images of America: Crowley.” The photo is from a parade along Parkerson Avenue that occurred July 4, 1913.

It wasn’t the only thing Mire fought for in the book. Arcadia Publishing also wants mostly sharp photos in its “Images of America” books, though it does provide a few exceptions and Mire said she argued with them over several photos because of that rule.

Still, with the pages allotted and the restrictions provided, Mire’s goal was to provide as much historical information and diversity as possible as well as show some photos that some may have never seen before.

Mire also showed another one of her favorite photos and referenced the article she did for the Post-Signal several months back on the charity baseball game between local lawyers and doctors that also featured the teams dressing up in costume.

The book is $22 with all royalties being donated to the local genealogy and historical society.

And, while the book is available at bookstores and online, Mire pointed out that it is a chance to shop locally as it is readily available at stores such as Crowley Flower Shop and Gifts, Gail’s Gifts, Adam’s Apple and Louisiana Church Interiors and Gifts as well as the library and the opera house and others.