In Special Collections & Archives is a 1858 volume of Mitchell’s Ancient Atlas, “containing maps illustrating classical and sacred geography.”

Samuel Augustus Mitchell was an educator and, later in life, writer and publisher of maps. Mitchell Company was one of the first in the publishing industry to engrave on steel plates.

The atlas is based on works by the “writers of antiquity” and on “sacred geography.” The indexes give the ancient name of each location, its class (towns, rivers, mountains, etc.), country name, which map it can be found on, and the location’s “modern” name. While neither the Garden of Eden nor the lost city of Atlantis are featured, the color-illustrated maps are gorgeous and represent important historical events like Alexander the Great’s route from Greece to India and Babylon; the extent of the Roman Empire’s land holdings at its height around A.D. 107; and the countries mentioned in the Old Testament.

The book belonged to Miss Maggie Cooper, a student of “Orleans Female Academy” (most likely the New Orleans Female Dominican Academy, now St. Mary’s Dominican High School). Her handwritten notes mark several pages of the book.

Loyola’s fully digitized copy of the Ancient Atlas can be viewed online in the Louisiana Digital Library or in person in Special Collections & Archives, where we also have an 1844 edition. Other Mitchell’s atlases (Mitchell’s Ancient Geography and an 1856 Ancient Atlas) can be found in the Internet Archive.

Found in the Archives is a recurring series of crazy cool stuff found in the Monroe Library’s Special Collections & Archives

Did you know that Loyola’s yearbook, The Wolf, featured a Miss Wolf every academic year? In and around the 1960s, there was both a Miss Wolf and a Campus Queen, I assume voted by the Loyola student body. Not sure what the qualifications were for the two, but be sure to read the descriptions below from the Miss Wolfs of 1962 and 1969 and the Campus Queen of 1966!

Blog post by Kristen Blomeyer, Special Collections work-study student and Social Media and Outreach Intern.

Found in the Archives is a recurring series of crazy cool stuff found in the Monroe Library’s Special Collections & Archives.

In June of 1939, Loyola’s Camera Club held an exhibition among the many trees that, at that time, graced our campus. From Special Collections & Archives’ University Photograph Collection, we get a sense of what a delightful event it must have been.

Found in the Archives is a recurring series of crazy cool stuff found in the Monroe Library’s Special Collections & Archives.

On this day in 1957, The Maroon headlines included Alpha Sigma Nu inductions, the opening of the play “Pilate,” new Student Council election rules, and the winning of an oil firm scholarship. When flipping through old editions of The Maroon, its hard to not notice the vintage advertisements. Imagine the type of ad below in The Maroon these days…it probably wouldn’t happen!

Blog post by Kristen Blomeyer, Special Collections work-study student and Social Media and Outreach Intern.

Found in the Archives is a recurring series of crazy cool stuff found in the Monroe Library’s Special Collections & Archives.

Did you know that since Loyola’s beginnings, we have had over fifteen presidents? Each have contributed to Loyola’s legacy in unique ways. Father Albert H. Biever, S.J. was our first from 1903 to 1913. Our current president, Father Kevin Wm. Wildes, S.J. has been around since 2004 and continues to successfully lead Loyola through its centennial celebrations.

Below is a photo from the Loyola University Photographs Collection of Father W. Patrick Donnelly, S.J. During his presidency from 1952 until 1961, Loyola’s School of Law was integrated onto campus. Moreover, he secured financial support for Loyola from businessman J. Edgar Monroe. During the 1960s, Donnelly sought to move Loyola’s campus to a larger site in Kenner. Imagine how different campus life would be if his plan worked!

Blog post by Kristen Blomeyer, Special Collections work-study student and Social Media and Outreach Intern.

Found in the Archives is a recurring series of crazy cool stuff found in the Monroe Library’s Special Collections & Archives.

Tuesday, April 9 is Bike to Work (or school) day. Enjoy some historic bikes from the Loyola University Photographs Collection, and hit the road next week.

Monroe Hall, 1970s

May 1939

Found in the Archives is a recurring series of crazy cool stuff found in the Monroe Library’s Special Collections & Archives.

On March 21, 1952, Loyola’s The Maroon headlines included a Russian Jesuit visiting to speak, Loyola College of Arts and Sciences offering engineering as a course of study, and pharmacy students earning merit scholastic awards.

Perhaps the most interesting article is a previous feature of The Maroon called “Society Notes.” The article discusses St. Patrick day celebrations and who was seen at the Provost Corps dance the previous weekend. Moreover, the article discusses a Beggars party and the new at the time music fraternity Lamba Mu Delta. Imagine if The Maroon did this today…sounds like a 50s version of Gossip Girl to me!

Blog post by Kristen Blomeyer, Special Collections and work-study student and Social Media and Outreach Intern.

Found in the Archives is a recurring series of crazy cool stuff found in the Monroe Library’s Special Collections & Archives.

When walking around campus, it’s pretty clear what is on everyone’s minds…spring! Now that midterms are over and spring break is here, its easy to see similar scenes around campus as the one below from the Loyola University Photographs Collection. Not to mention, today is the first official day of spring!

If you plan on visiting the library during Easter holidays, be sure to check out updated Monroe Library Hours. Wherever you may spend the break, enjoy!

Blog post by Kristen Blomeyer, Special Collections work-study student and Social Media and Outreach Intern.

Found in the Archives is a recurring series of crazy cool stuff found in the Monroe Library’s Special Collections & Archives.

As the weather warms up, you might be inspired to engage in a little outdoor activity. In 1926, a lucky few were recruited to Loyola’s handball society, the “unancient, unbenevolent Order of Gripers.” The club wasn’t for the faint of heart–they were “a lusty, flourishing society, being composed of the loudest speakers in the University.” Check out the fierce competition in the 1926 Wolf Yearbook.

The team included some choice nicknames, including “Messing with Me” Landry and “Half Pint” Roth. Catch the riveting play-by-play in the October 8, 1926 Maroon.

Found in the Archives is a recurring series of crazy cool stuff found in the Monroe Library’s Special Collections & Archives.

On March 14, 1958 The Maroon headlines featured the beginning of midterms, a change in student council elections, and a student-teacher basketball game. Perhaps the most interesting article was a poll given by The Maroon. We all have our pet peeves when dealing with teachers, whether it’s little things like their tone of voice or even nitpicky grading procedures. This poll turned the tables and asked teachers their pet peeves regarding students.

“Dr. Joseph Tregle, professor of history said he didn’t have time to give all of his pet peeves.” Despite being dated 55 years ago, it looks like student-teacher relationships haven’t changed much.

Blog post by Kristen Blomeyer, Special Collections work-study student and Social Media and Outreach Intern.

Found in the Archives is a recurring series of crazy cool stuff found in the Monroe Library’s Special Collections & Archives.