In 1972 Edgar Sharp, known as the "Old Pelican," submitted this photo of his father's store in Mandeville to the St. Tammany News Banner Newspaper. Click on the image to make it larger.
Text from the photo caption:
A glimpse of Mandeville's history is given us this week by Edgar Sharp in the form of a picture of his father's store taken in 1921. The store was located on Lafitte Steet between Livingston and Monroe, and adjoined the house recently torn down there (their old home).
At that time, Edgar writes, the school was next door (where the Old Gym ball field is now) and the enrollment had reached 250 students. One school bus brought students from Lacombe, two from Lewisburg, and a private car brought the Rauche children and others from Abita. The reason for the two buses from Lewisburg was the the Poitevent and Farve Lumber Company sawmill was in full swing then.
No lunches were served at the school then, and Edgar's mother made 50 ham sandwiches and cheese sandwiches every day. Plain ham was 10 cents dressed ham 15 cents. Coconut pralines were two for a nickel.
Shown in the picture are Mercedese Sharp, age 3, now Mrs. Joseph Dust of Mobile, Edgar Sharp, Sr., Eva Louise Sharp, 6, now Mrs. Sam Willey of Mobile, and the Young Pelican, Edgar Sharp, Jr. In the lot at the right can be seen Ludovic Marange, Sr., unloading a load of fat pine. Price, $1.00.
Over Mr. Sharp's head can be seen a sign advertising 111 cigarettes. The cigarettes of the day were Coupon, Picayune, Virginia Extras. and 111--no others. Another sign shows a man with a wad in his cheek, and the sign notes that it is not a toothache, it is Climax chewing tobacco. Also note the signs advertising Muscadine Punch, a popular soft drink of the day.
Congratulations are in order for Edgar, by the way. He celebrated his birthday on August 7. I won't tell you his age, but he was 11 when this picture was taken.
Another Edgar Sharp Sr. adventure told by Edgar Sharp Jr. ...
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